Pumpernickel on Tour   … in South America

Don't cry for me, Argentina...

Due to the many protests and demonstrations in the capital, the water cannon is a permanent sight at the Plaza as well.    

Common views at the Plaza

View to the Avenida de Mayo

 After a long ‘stroll’ through the inner city while filling my head to the brim with insider information, John finally showed mercy and took care of removing the vacuum in my belly, too.    

Pizza & Pasta in San Telmo

The rest of the day continued with satisfying the rather substantial needs of the human being – catching up on sleep in the hotel for a few hours and then savouring the culinary delights of the city.    

A Picada pleases everyone's taste

 *****    

The next morning we already met at 8 o’clock to free my bike from Customs at the airport. Taking the Subte (Subterráneo – underground) was an experience in itself: now I have an idea how the sardines feel in their can… The train spit us out at the upper end of the Calle Florida where the sun shines brighter on the rich and beautiful.    

Calle Florida

At Ezeiza International Airport we had quite a few procedures to follow before I was allowed to see my baby again: Applying for a visitor pass, finding the office of the airline to pay the airway bill, being let into the Customs area, starting the transaction in office 2, paying several fees in office 1, proceeding to office 3, back to office 2, etc, etc. John has actually posted an excellent write-up of the process on UKGSer.com which I would warmly recommend to read if you ever want to ship your bike to South America – now updated with the 2010 figures.    

However, the officials were warming up constantly, showed interest in my trip and treated us with great friendliness. Finally we were allowed in the sacred customs grounds.    

It's a bit like Christmas...

The following pictures are all shamelessly nicked from John, as I was too busy packing and getting the bike ready.    

Getting the bike ready

Off we go!

Oops, not quite...

Now there is a happy bunny

On the way from the airport to the hotel I had noticed that the bike was leaking fuel; probably down to the new fuel filter we had fitted and which was not quite the right size. So it was already time for the first roadside repair.     

The first road side repair

 

Fortunately, Possu had given me some slightly bigger filters as spares at the last minute and a short while later I had fixed the leak with my bare hands.    

New fuel filter fitted

 

That evening John introduced me to two of his best friends who run a pub which is currently closed by the magistrate for some updating and refurbishing. We had a great time at their etablissement but for obvious reasons, I can’t provide the photographic evidence… 😉    

Thank you for all your help, John! Getting everything sorted would have been a lot more complicated without you. I think I owe him a few drinks – but he wouldn’t let me pay…    

The next day would take me to Sandra and Javier of Dakar Motos fame – but little did I know that the road to the district of Vicente López was a rather rocky one…