Radioman Rides the World.......

[lm248]

Originally Posted by Radioman
I will exclude the trip to Antarctica as that is a very expensive part of the trip, but one that I am going to do once I reach Ushaia.

Glad to hear it's still part of your plans.
I know it's supposed to be about the "journey" and not the destination,,,
But,,,,,,, I'm really looking forward to Antarctica.
Thanks for taking us along.
Les

[Radioman]

Had a relaxing time in Villa de Leyva. Nice food here!





Met this guy who was riding his bike back to Argentina!!



His new Googles


explored a bit of town, and also spent some time on the internet researching some future plans.



Lots of wool ponchos appearing on the locals.



Time for some people watching....







Welcome to my office



Later in the day ..... Wow. The skies opened up. Fortunately the woman who ran the hotel had thoughtfully covered our bikes up.



The water was really coming down. Making rivers in the street....and the main plaza.







Glad we were not riding in this Just relaxing in town.



James messing around in the ice cream shop. The wooden Indian would not share his ice cream cone!



The next morning. The 8th. The sun was out...



As we were packing up Travis (I think) had a Iron Horse BMW hat. He is from Arizona and has been riding his bike in Russia, South Korea, and into northern Africa before he could not get some visa's he needed. So he flew to Columbia to check it out!





Leaving town.



Leaving Villa de Leyva we decided to check out some of the local tourist sights... There maps and directions left a good deal to be desired, so we finally headed the 70 miles to Zipaquira to check out the Salt Cathedral.



We road but a large Parque that had a small ceremony going on.....





Arrived at the Salt mine at around 1:30 and had heard that it was interesting.



Heading into the salt mine to check it out.



They like their lights here!



The Salt Cathedral is a series of Crosses dug out of the salt mine. there are 13 of them and then the Cathedral. They are all lighted and change colors...



They are huge. Cannot tell by the stand alone photos.









Too many photos to share.



Hey my knee is better. This is really cool!



This is way down in the mine overlooking the main cathedral. It holds 8500 People on Sundays.



Another chamber. See how small I am.



Huge columns in the main Cathedral.





Side room.



was a very cool thing to see.



There were also some cool carvings that they were working on.





we decided to stay in Zipaquira which is a small town. Had a good hotel, but not much going on in town except Clothes and shoe shops.



fresh Mango stands that sell you Mango pieces ....



They also have Cel phone rentals. The phones all have long chains so you do not run off!



They also had tons of Cel phone covers of every shape and size!!



Stayed here.



Main square.





out back in the hotel was an old bike and a Harley Fairing. Interesting



James cannot pass up some ice cream!!



Local police bike.....

[larryboy]

Good stuff, Mark!!

[C-Stain]

Originally Posted by Radioman

Hey my knee is better. This is really cool!



[/IMG]

I've missed these shots!

[Nixels]

I guess you can stand around a pillar of salt and not become one - because you're in a cathedral?

[BOBaloo22]

I'm really, really enjoying your RR! I have a question, Do you ever attend any of the church services during your travels and if you do what are your thoughts.
Thanks,
Bob

[Ladybug0048]

WOW what an incredible place. I bet there was a wonderful sense of peace there.

I like this, the swirls in the ceiling are incredible.

[Drtyfun]

Mark, I follow along as often as possible. You are enjoying a trip many of us dream of. As many have said in one way or another, "Thanks for sharing the experience!"

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by BOBaloo22

Do you ever attend any of the church services during your travels and if you do what are your thoughts.

I have on my travels in the past, but not in the Spanish speaking countries as I cannot interact enough or understand. And most of the time I really do not know what day it is.

[Loud Al]

How is your Spanish coming along? I know that you spent a couple of weeks in school and I'm wondering if you finding it any easier to communicate.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Loud Al

How is your Spanish coming along? I know that you spent a couple of weeks in school and I'm wondering if you finding it any easier to communicate.

Two weeks of spanish class does not make me fluent, but I can get a room, buy gas, order food, answer questions?, where are you from?, where are you going?, How much does the bike cost?.... So I get by. Directions are difficult or complex questions .... either end up in charades or and smiles but no understanding.

More schooling would be really good.

[Robert Ford]

What a great thread!

This pic caught my eye. Ford Meterbox was started and is to this day operated by my extended family in Wabash.

[Loud Al]

Are you still working on it, do have a course of study? I think this would be the most frustrating part of the trip having so many questions and not being able to communicate them.

[Patrick46]

Originally Posted by Loud Al

Are you still working on it, do have a course of study? I think this would be the most frustrating part of the trip having so many questions and not being able to communicate them.

True.

When my wife & I went to Mexico a few years back....that was one of the biggest hang-ups for us.

that and the differences in currency.



I'm reading the book by David Barr about his ride across Africa.....WOW, talk about language differences!!!!

[TowPro]

Have you seen that new VW (diesel jetta) commercial where they load the "how to speak Spanish" CD and drive 12 hours to Mexico?
rip the CD to mp3's and play it in your helmet as you ride