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Trip Start Oct 20, 2008 Previous
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  La Serena, Chile
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

January 11th.
             Despite the fact that I have already blogged for the 11th many things happen quickly. Mike was still busy blogging away so I decided to walk down to the plaza to find myself a coffee that is not made with Nescafe instant coffee. As I walked around the plaza I notice a large Dakar truck parked next to it, out of curiosity I walk over to inspect it. I then caught a glimpse of a tourist info center. The staff incredibly helpful asked where I was from. I explained my story and the women gave me a wink, walked behind the counter and returned as quickly as she left. She handed me two "special edition" Dakar patches. She asked me to not tell anyone until the rally left Copiapo or better yet until we left Chile. I agreed and we continued our conversation. She could not tell me the exact viewing location because the race organizers have not told the racers yet. She gave me some information on where they think they might be racing but warned she could not confirm. She then asked how far in advance did I book our hotel room.. I replied I did not reserve it and that we just pulled into town yesterday. "Wow" she exclaimed "you are very lucky you found a room for the next 2 nights, there are over 15 000 people coming to Copiapo for the Dakar race and only 7000 beds available." I thanked her once again for her help and she once again asked that I keep the "special edition" badge a secret. I smiled and gave her my best reassurances. I found a coffee shop and was not disappointed... I then walked back to the internet where I left Mike. As we walked back to the hotel  I told Mike the story of the badge and gave him one, I also explained to him just how lucky we were to find a room because of the Dakar rally. We laugh at our good fortune. Later in the evening a couple pulled up on a 2008 KLR, they went into the office and were obviously looking for a room. The words from the woman at the info center echoed through my head 15 000 people only 7000 beds. There is no way they are going to find a room tonight. I immediately offered the couple the spare double bed in our room. After a few minutes of consideration and negotiations with the hotel staff they accepted. Juan Carlos and his wife Jaqueline are from Columbia. Juan owns the largest motorcycle magazine in Columbia called de motos. He started his business 10 years ago and distributes
35 000 copies every 45 days. They are here to report and collect information on the Dakar Rally. We share food and drinks and talk about .......you guessed it motorcycles.

January 12th.
                    We are off to a slow start this morning.... we still have no conclusive information about where the racers will be driving. Juan suggests we go with him because he has a press pass. We agree but first Juan notices the oil in his bike is low, it seems his burns oil as quickly as Mike´s. I ride to the nearest gas station for him and purchase a couple of liters of oil, meanwhile Mike heads off to find a chain for his motorcycle. Once we are back to the hotel Mike and I decided to head out to the Boviacs (camp site for the Sponsors and racers of Dakar), while Juan and Jaqueline purchase some groceries. We agree to meet at the campsite. Once we arrive,the police have the road blocked off and will not let us in. We head back to the highway and wait over an hour for our friends to join us. We head back with Juan and the police allow us through. We cannot gain access to the campsite itself because we don't have the special press passes like Juan has but we are much closer to the tent city than the general public is allowed. We stand there for several hours as the motorcyclists,big trucks, ATV's etc..... drive past us. The drivers honking their horn's and the fans cheering them on. It was a fun afternoon ! The three of us decide to drive into the desert and up on a hill to get a birds eye view of "DAKAR CITY."I lead the way as we ride through sand and loose gravel, four stray dogs start chasing me nipping at my heals. I keep going while Mike and Jaun stop to get their pictures of the city. One of the dogs latches onto my left foot as I am turning. His teeth digging deeper.I honk the horn and it must have scared him for a split second because he let go. They persist and keep nipping at my wheels and heels, I glance over to Juan and Mike and they are getting back on the bikes. I  blast past them and the dogs chase all three of us for a couple of seconds and then loose interest. I finally get my photo of the "city" and we head back to the hotel. We share more motorcycle conversations and beers. After a long hot day in the sun I go to bed early.

January 13th
                   We left for La Serena late this morning after saying good bye to our friends we only have 350 kilometers to cover and decide to take our time. The landscape slowly changed today from nothing but sand to cacti and then finally grasses and trees. We stopped apx 10 kilometers outside of La Serena for a washroom break and coffee. While sitting at the outdoor tables enjoying the sun. We both feel a tremor. I look up thinking the large canopy overhead was shaking the ground. The tremors get stronger. Mike and I both jump to our feet ! Everybody stops what they are doing as the tremors continue. We look at each other and walk away from the building out in the open and the tremors stop. Holy cow we just experience a slight earthquake. We laugh and get geared up while everyone is talking on their cell phones and too each other. We ride into La Serena finding a hotel and get checked in. Mike is trying to make an appointment in Santiago to have his valves adjusted which he believes are starting to slap.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Columbian Friends	Dakar Ad	Dakar Racer 1	Dakar Racer 2
Dakar Racer 3	Race truck	Dakar Tent City

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