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Going Tribal
Arrived safely in Pak Beng, Laos after a full day of riding. Today it was 80% off road, and 5.5 hours on bike. After I ate **** again I had to start defending myself to my guide -- don't know what to say, Huelee (my guide's name) but I'm doing my best, and it's not entirely my fault that my 300lb motorcycle is in the raveen now and we need to hoist this thing out on our own. At least this time no injury, just a little aggravation to the hand/wrist sprain. And in talking further I found out that he thought I was an experienced rider, only to clarify, hell no. I was on bike for 2 days in Burma (all paved roads , not even close to this) and a day of training. Then his perspective changed, and he agreed that I'm doing quite well. Sounds like I'm crashing a lot, but we've been on motorcycles for 320 miles now in about every condition. Brain is constantly processing and anticipating - hard gravel, soft loose gravel, sharp turn, watch for that pig, uphill, downhill, potholes, clay soil, oh **** that rooster isn't going to move, sand, wet, slippery, oh **** there's a cow. Yeah, that's pretty much how it is. Almost ate it when Huelee braked sharply due to a cow in our way with no notice, and here I come from behind, knowing instantaneously that if I hit the brakes I'm going sideways in this huge pit of mud. Hard to explaining in words but my video will be published within a few days, so you'll have a better idea then. Right now I have no way of getting the video footage out. Saw the first foreigners or Westerners in 3 days today. And I love that, as I know I'm not in a tourist trap - this is the real deal -- genuine people in their daily lives. The looks on the locals' faces are one of, say, "bewilderment". Partly because there just aren't too many in these parts that look like me, plus we are in full moto gear and on big 250 Hondas - not the regular scooters. But the kids are always excited to see white man, and many smiles and waves. I think we are equally excited, both them and myself. Driving through, village after village with waves and greetings. A big part of the whole experience I think. Now sitting here in small guest house in Pak Beng. After the long day of riding, I got my room only to have the electricity cut out (for the entire village) for about an hour. So I walked the street of this small town and found someone that makes a nice Bacardi and coke (not so easy!!) -- after a couple of those, I'm sitting in the lobby cracking up as this guy is articulating every possible expression with exaggerated motions and pronunciation to the lady at the desk. -- then he turns to me as I'm laughing, and I inform him that "she speaks English". Just couldn't help myself. By the way, I can only upload photos from my phone right now. In a couple more days, hopefully I'll have the video footage of the motorcycle and Elephant Center for both Haley and I.
- comments
Rice, Tim Great story and pictures, Robert! Keep it coming!
Bartlow, Lee Keep the news coming, some of your writings and events are funny. Enjoyed the pictures. Sounds like your having fun.
Bartlow, Lee How is Halet, from your words she is I'll or am I confused. How bad is your hand, sounds like you took a bad spill. Enjoyed your colorful comments and events. Keep me informed. Lifting a 300 lb bike from a crevest with a bad hand has got to be difficult.