Quito, Ecuador - Chapter 54
Regarding the conclusion of the Adventure of Ecuadorian customs and other things worthy of this great history
Next day up at 7:30, at customs by 8am. They open at 8:30 so the cast of characters got to see that we were there before them which made them more anxious to sort us out. It was sort of like our local pub. Lots of greetings from familiar faces. Unfortunately, we weren’t in the mood for idle chit chat, we had enough of sitting around without our bikes. A certain Senora Aredia (spelling?) took up our cause, and it was fortunate that she did, as she was obviously a very important lady. She said good morning, and promised we would be on our way to the “bodega” (warehouse) to get our bike in 40minutes, or less, we had her word. Then she left for coffee. Then she came back. 40 minutes later she called us into her office, where she asked us about our trip and what was holding us up. We explained how we had been recommended a “helper” who was a total puta and had done nothing for us. Senora Aredia agreed we should pay her nothing. We got the final signature from the general with her help and were just about to leave, when Senora Marquez’s little friend showed up. He came into the aduana nonchalant and stood next to us. Senora Aredia asked if he was the one representing us and he said yes. She chastised him pretty good and said we will pay him nothing. He texted his bitch boss, said some cuss words and left without a dime. Finally, some justice. Senora Aredia said we were done, call her if we had any other problems. We praised her and kissed her hand.
We took a taxi to “InterCarga” where our bike was stored. We were assured that a taxi driver would know where Intercarga is, but unfortunately no one did, so we had to drive around until we stumbled on it. We walked down a dirt road, with trash strewn on either side of the street while pigs slept in the mud on the road. We were concerned about our bikes as this looked like a real $hit hole we were in, more like a chop shop/scrap yard than an international shipper. We turned a corner and things looked up, there was Intercarga, a fairly modern warehouse with secure perimeter. Presenting our freshly completed papers with a smile to Aduana did not give us the satisfaction we expected. He did not smile back and let us have our motorcycle. Instead he insisted we were missing a signature and a stamp (as if the 10 we had on the 10 different pieces of paper weren’t plenty, let alone the assurance from the secretary of customs that we were done). I just about lost it. Lots of shaking a finger, frowning and phone calls ensued until a representative from customs came down from the airport in his car, visually inspected the VINs, took our documents, had us follow him back to the aduana, make another 10 photo copies, a couple more signatures and another stamp or to for good measure, we were, finally, done. Free at last.
The bike is in good shape, nothing wrong with it I can see on first inspection; are things looking up?? Keith delivered the care package (THANKS KEITH AND PELE!!!!) and it was like Christmas for Amie, myself, and our moto: New tires, chain, sprockets, plugs, airfilter, brakes, jerky, almonds, cliff bars, pillow cases, all kinds of goodies. The hardships we’ve endured the past 48hours already began to fade from memory.
Not really anxious to jump into the moto maintenance today, we caught a ride with Keith and Gloria to the Ecuador so we could put one foot in each hemisphere at the same time. Yeah, tourist gimmick, but still a must do. After that, we had one of the best meals of the trip at Caffeto. I had a foccacia sandwich with serano ham, guyuer cheese, Fresh and sun dried tomatoes, pesto spread… $6. Expensive for Ecuador but worth every penny. Amie had a really hearty minestrone and a chicken caesar wrap. Food like this we haven’t seen in weeks. Topped it off with banana split and rolled ourselves back to the hotel for some down town.
I had the idea of calling the US Embassy to see where we could find a thanksgiving dinner, but the Embassy was closed. Later we found out (Gloria has a friend that works there) that the US Ambassador had the Embassy employees over to his house for dinner. Wish we could have snuck into that! Not like we’re hungry after lunch anyway…
After some much needed rest in our hotel (I think the altitude here makes you more exhausted), Gloria and Keith picked us back up at 8PM to grab some food and drinks at the nice downtown area. It was quite a scene down there as the election is on Sunday and after midnight you cannot buy any alcohol until Monday. We ended up eating at a pub where some guy was singing his heart out to some great rock n roll goodies; good stuff and a fun night thanks to Gloria and all her secret little spots she has been taking us to. We have been enjoying having a local show us around so much - it's such a treat from the usual struggle to find somewhere decent to go or eat...
We discovered Adam made it into town last night, but it sounded like he had a long day as when we called him, he was sleeping and didn't sound like he wanted to change that.
We are missing our families very much today. Happy Turkey day everyone, we miss you all!
Next day up at 7:30, at customs by 8am. They open at 8:30 so the cast of characters got to see that we were there before them which made them more anxious to sort us out. It was sort of like our local pub. Lots of greetings from familiar faces. Unfortunately, we weren’t in the mood for idle chit chat, we had enough of sitting around without our bikes. A certain Senora Aredia (spelling?) took up our cause, and it was fortunate that she did, as she was obviously a very important lady. She said good morning, and promised we would be on our way to the “bodega” (warehouse) to get our bike in 40minutes, or less, we had her word. Then she left for coffee. Then she came back. 40 minutes later she called us into her office, where she asked us about our trip and what was holding us up. We explained how we had been recommended a “helper” who was a total puta and had done nothing for us. Senora Aredia agreed we should pay her nothing. We got the final signature from the general with her help and were just about to leave, when Senora Marquez’s little friend showed up. He came into the aduana nonchalant and stood next to us. Senora Aredia asked if he was the one representing us and he said yes. She chastised him pretty good and said we will pay him nothing. He texted his bitch boss, said some cuss words and left without a dime. Finally, some justice. Senora Aredia said we were done, call her if we had any other problems. We praised her and kissed her hand.
We took a taxi to “InterCarga” where our bike was stored. We were assured that a taxi driver would know where Intercarga is, but unfortunately no one did, so we had to drive around until we stumbled on it. We walked down a dirt road, with trash strewn on either side of the street while pigs slept in the mud on the road. We were concerned about our bikes as this looked like a real $hit hole we were in, more like a chop shop/scrap yard than an international shipper. We turned a corner and things looked up, there was Intercarga, a fairly modern warehouse with secure perimeter. Presenting our freshly completed papers with a smile to Aduana did not give us the satisfaction we expected. He did not smile back and let us have our motorcycle. Instead he insisted we were missing a signature and a stamp (as if the 10 we had on the 10 different pieces of paper weren’t plenty, let alone the assurance from the secretary of customs that we were done). I just about lost it. Lots of shaking a finger, frowning and phone calls ensued until a representative from customs came down from the airport in his car, visually inspected the VINs, took our documents, had us follow him back to the aduana, make another 10 photo copies, a couple more signatures and another stamp or to for good measure, we were, finally, done. Free at last.
The bike is in good shape, nothing wrong with it I can see on first inspection; are things looking up?? Keith delivered the care package (THANKS KEITH AND PELE!!!!) and it was like Christmas for Amie, myself, and our moto: New tires, chain, sprockets, plugs, airfilter, brakes, jerky, almonds, cliff bars, pillow cases, all kinds of goodies. The hardships we’ve endured the past 48hours already began to fade from memory.
Not really anxious to jump into the moto maintenance today, we caught a ride with Keith and Gloria to the Ecuador so we could put one foot in each hemisphere at the same time. Yeah, tourist gimmick, but still a must do. After that, we had one of the best meals of the trip at Caffeto. I had a foccacia sandwich with serano ham, guyuer cheese, Fresh and sun dried tomatoes, pesto spread… $6. Expensive for Ecuador but worth every penny. Amie had a really hearty minestrone and a chicken caesar wrap. Food like this we haven’t seen in weeks. Topped it off with banana split and rolled ourselves back to the hotel for some down town.
I had the idea of calling the US Embassy to see where we could find a thanksgiving dinner, but the Embassy was closed. Later we found out (Gloria has a friend that works there) that the US Ambassador had the Embassy employees over to his house for dinner. Wish we could have snuck into that! Not like we’re hungry after lunch anyway…
After some much needed rest in our hotel (I think the altitude here makes you more exhausted), Gloria and Keith picked us back up at 8PM to grab some food and drinks at the nice downtown area. It was quite a scene down there as the election is on Sunday and after midnight you cannot buy any alcohol until Monday. We ended up eating at a pub where some guy was singing his heart out to some great rock n roll goodies; good stuff and a fun night thanks to Gloria and all her secret little spots she has been taking us to. We have been enjoying having a local show us around so much - it's such a treat from the usual struggle to find somewhere decent to go or eat...
We discovered Adam made it into town last night, but it sounded like he had a long day as when we called him, he was sleeping and didn't sound like he wanted to change that.
We are missing our families very much today. Happy Turkey day everyone, we miss you all!
Yay! All our goodies!
Which side of the Ecuador are we on now???
Northern Hemisphere
We were looking for the toilet on either side...which side flushes clockwise???
Awww...
Beast Skills are hard in the high altitude
He couldn't stop
Thumbs up for the Ecuador!
We're still together...
posted by Pedro and Maria at 7:01 AM
2 Comments:
Thanks Keith for delivering the goods! Wow, what an ordeal getting Yoshita! Glad your whole family is together again!
do you guys post on your own blog, and who posts? is it pedro or miguel? or mike or amie? or marie or la bala de plata? viva!!
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