South America

Ride 2006/2007

 

December 30
Not much to add today. The roads in Guatemala started out crowded and slow, but it ended up being pretty nice. The border crossing took us 3 hours and we discovered that my license plate doesn't match my title or registration. Dick sent a text message to his wife Kathy and she did some research to determine it wasn't a problem with the USA. Regardless, the border officials let me through. I hope my luck continues.

The border crossings are intensified because they are so hot. There is not much circulation inside the buildings where you have to wait sometimes. It's not too bad outside in the shade where you can catch some breeze, but it can be a sweatbox inside (Aqua botella for $1 is readily available). Of course the officials are behind a window where it is air conditioned. There is military/police presence everywhere you go. In fact, it is at least every fifteen to twenty miles in some cases. They are usually well armed. In Mexico, they would stop us from time-to-time. In Guatemala and El Salvador they haven't even noticed us hardly. Just on a side note, while I was standing at the back of a line at the border my agent (approx. twelve years old and is not allowed in the building) noticed I was at the back of the line. He motioned to the armed guard and the armed guard (with shotgun in hand) walked over and tapped me on the shoulder and moved me to the front of the line? You never know what's going on or what forces are at work? I don't enjoy the border crossing and the scalping that takes place. Dick handles it very well. They tried to get me to pay $50 for an exit fee to leave El Salvador. I said no, that we needed to see another officer. They said ok, we'll make it $20. I said no again (knowing now that it is a con). However, it's hard for me to always know the difference. Speaking the language would be a big help. We're learning though.

We made it as far as La Libertad, El Salvador for the night. I'm about one day behind the schedule that I wanted to keep. I'm not sure how much longer it will take to reach Brad's place. I hoped that I would get there by New Year's eve and I could stay there for a couple of days during the holiday. I don't know how much of a problem it's going to be to cross a border during a holiday, but we'll see. Brad is a friend from Frisco that I went through12 years of school with. He now lives in Costa Rica. It will be a fun reunion. Brad, please leave a light on. Oh, and yes, we'll probably need to visit a laundry.



 
Guatemalan bus bellowing out the smoke is very normal. Get used to riding behind this.
 
We had some real nice pavement and curves today
 
Taxi service in El Salvador
 
Sitting at the border waiting.......again
 
I had numerous tunnel pictures but this is the only one that came close to turning out.
 
small town in El Salvador
 
This fish platter had an assortment of lobster, shrimp and who knows what
 
Sunset from our hotel
 
Sunset from the room
 
This is a photo from where we ate.