January 9
Today was supposed to be a day of rest, but I spent all day trying to find a tire and getting an oil change. I had some great help, and I had some very bad help. The BMW dealer was totally useless and they should be embarrassed to consider themselves a dealer of an internationl bike that should support their international customers. They were not listed in the phone book or the BMW anonymous book, so I went looking around town for a bike supplier. The first reference from Ricardo Rocco, Clinical de Moto, couldn't help me. We went to the Suzuki dealer and he gave me the number to the BMW dealer. Most bikes from this part of the world are too small to need tires our size. Anyway, I called Gabrial (male) with the BMW dealership. He assured me that they could get a tire, so all I needed to do was be there about 2:30. I showed up early very anxious to get this deal done, because I need to leave town tomorrow. Gabrial wasn't there and the service manager said they would get to it manana. No sir, that won't work. We need some help here. Well........he could get to the oil change, but that was it. Once we had the oil change, Gabrial showed up and I had to give him a piece of mind before leaving.

We went back to the hotel and walked over to Buster's to visit a guy (Albert-Turtle Head) that had been giving us some feedback over on Advrider.com. Albert was there and had a solution. At 4:30 I zoom over to Hi-Performance to see Tommy (from Korea). Tommy keeps a few extra tires because he has a BMW RS himself. The tire was expensive, but I was tickled to have it. Thank you Tommy. He also mounted the tire for me which was a big help. Later this evening we went to Albert's (Scottish fellow) second bar to thank him for his help. Thank you Albert. When you are down this way, stop by and see Albert at Buster's or the Turtle Head, he owns both of them.

Money is flowing like water under a bridge. Maybe I can get a grip on it for the remaining part of the trip?