Around the World in 800 Days

I made it to Armenia at just after dark.
I had dinner in town and then went looking for a hotel. I was hoping to camp but it is hard to find a place to camp in Colombia. camping is something new here since there was a fear of being kidnapped until recently. It was also raining so I wanted a roof over my head.
pulled my bike over on the side of the rroad to look at my map. A car pulled over to ask if I needed help. I told him that was looking for a hotell. He said to follow him and I could stay at his house.
I said ok.
What the hell
What could possibly happen?
I am in Colombia. It's safe here now, right?
Well, I got to his house and I was able to pull my bike thru his front door and park it in his living room.
I went and got some beers and we showed pictures all night of the places we had been. And we used the computer translator to communicate.
I had a nice sleep and he even made me breakfast in the morning.
I am staying here later than I expected because it is raining outside. am using his computer to update my blog/
I feel that 99% percent to the people in this world are good honest people. You just need to watch out for that 1 % but don't let them from keeping you from seeing the good in the 99%

Totally dude

Great to hear that you are back on the bike and in good shape. I am really impressed about the miles you already have on your tires, thinking about getting some of them as well the next time. Whenever you find the time have click on my ADV Name i have posted some new videos, from these two days we didn´t have snow here in march.
Take care and go on riding/writing

They are
Corrupt
You can't trust them
They will take you money
Those are the things you usually here
Especially from non travelers
Let me give you a different prospective

Yesterday I was trying to find a specific hostel in downtown Cali Colombia.
It is a town of about 3 million people.
The streets and signs didn't make sense
They are always lots of police in these towns.
Sometimes on every corner
So I stopped and asked for directions
To my surprised, he jumped on his motorcycle, let his post and said to follow him.
So there I was, getting my own, personal police escort thru the city of Cali to my destination.
Every time you here a story about the police taking money from someone, 99% of the time it's because they did something wrong. Maybe they were going too fast or whatever
And if they take a bribe then consider yourself lucky.
Its just the way the system works down here sometimes.
And you get off cheaper that way in the end anyway.
The whole time I have been traveling, I have not been asked for a bribe.
But I am heading in to Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia soon. So my feelings may change.
And if they do, I will give you the full report (hopefully with pictures).
Is everyone still with me?

Certainly, carry on!

Yip I am still with you. Judging by the responses on your RR, I am one of about a gazillion others. I check up on you every morning first thing when I turn the computer on. Keep the excellent photos and text coming.

That is sooooo cool
Thanks for the feedback

And so do I, only a few more times a day

Lalo,

Keep the pics and words coming. Good job

Still with you too! Enjoying your report a lot. Be safe out there.

Southern Colombia is the least safe part in Colombia right now. And that's where I am right now. But safe is a relative word.
Honestly, I have never felt unsafe the entire trip (except for maybe one time in Mexico).
Just five or ten years ago, it was considered unsafe to travel around thru the country, except in and around the cities.
But the police and military have really cracked down on the gorillas and kid nappers here.
The is a huge police and military presence here.
The southern part was the last to be made 'safe'.
The military is there along the road every few miles. And when you drive by, they give you a thumbs up. Not just to me because I have a cool motorcycle, but to everyone. It is there way of saying.......they have everything under control and it is safe to travel now in Colombia. And of course, everyone gives them a big thumbs back.
Now if they could just do something about the crazy drivers here.

Looking forward to more! We are headed to Columbia in September after a small break at home this summer to work.

Sara

I love the way my bike looks with the tires loaded on top. Now it looks like I am a world traveling motorcyclist. But I sure don't like the way it feels. Having all the weight up so high makes my bike handle like a hog going slow. But I can still split lanes and keep up with all these 125 scooters buzzing around down here

I checked out your blog
Looks like you guys are having fun too
Lalo

My host and his friend and neighbors out front of his house in Armenia. I was able to get my motorcycle thru his front door

My motorcycle always attracts a crowd. Most of the time it ok. But sometimes it gets old. Riding down the street, guys on their scooters try to get a closer look. I am afraid they are going to take me out.
When I pull up to a stop light, all eyes are on me. It is obvious their moms never taught them it is inpolite to stare.

Waterfall outside of Popayan

BTW......It's Colombia
My friends in Bogota made sure I just it right too

It does look good but must be seriously heavy and top heavy as well. I would like to travel S America but as its not quite possible currently, you do the riding and pics and we will travel in the chair. Thanks and look forward in possibly a years time when we will do some wine tasting in Stellenbosh and other good things around here. THKs & Enjoy

Everyday!