3/19/2010 Buenos Aires, Argentina

After a great ride to the msp airport with my little sister KK, flights down to BA went well. After only 30 some hours of constant movement and no real sleep I felt like an intern all over again. Ahhhhh. What great memories.

The biggest glich in the flight was getting charged again in Miami for extra pieces of luggage. I argued. I showed receits. I explained. I begged. I bent over and paid again.

On arrival in BA I started the process over again. I found the right person and got my $ back. I hope.

While all that was cooking, I went and talked to customs and the airline that is shipping my bike. I started the paper work. Most of this was well beyond the scope of my-hadn't slept well in 30 hour- spanish, but i got some things rolling and met some very nice people in the process. Of course there will be additional fees on the bikes arrival. Additional costs seems to be a very clear pattern, and God ony knows what that final amount will be. It feels like I have "here comes money" written on my forehead and my spanish is not quite good enough to erase it.

Last, with in the last half-hour I learned that my bike is now held up in Miami customs and may be there for an additional 5 days. The shipping company is working on it. More info to follow.

In the mean time, BA is a great city. The people are friendly, the food is tasty, my belly line is expanding, it's 82' and sunny every where I go. If my bike is really held up for another 5 days I am not sure what I will do, other than remain flexable and happy.

Por lo menos podemos decir, El gallo ha llegado.

Uncle Walter

Big Fish Lake March 5th, 2009

The first major task is accomplished. La Poderosa (my motorcycle) has been picked by the shipping company and is on it's way to Argentina, via Chicago and U.S. Customs and "Dangerous Object Clearance"(it had gas in it). It is in it's crate. The fuel tank is empty (that cost 8 minutes with out vision, 20 minutes of cold water flushing, a visit by the doctor, eye drops, an eye patch and 48 hours of pain and inflammation, and a 24 hour delay in shipping, but hey, no worries mate, we are back on track now). The oil is drained, the wind shield and mirrors off. My riding jacket and pants are locked to the frame. The key is in the ignition. The rest of gear will be carried down as luggage. I will arrive in Argentina in 2 week to get'er out of customs and start heading south.