12. 12. 01
Argentina
22,600 kms
Dr. Botha cycled like a man possessed today
clocking up no less than 310 kms, 200 by midday. His spirit is
lifting as we talk of the finish line. Today I was given
conformation that the local newspaper and TV stations will be in
Ushuaia to greet and congratulate Dr Botha on breaking...or
should I say.. smashing the previous record of 260 days by about
120 days.
Crossing the Chile/Argentina border went smoothly bar the wee
hill... the Andes. The actual borderline is crossed by passing
through a 2km tunnel where we couldn't help breaking out into song
with: Don't Cry For Me Argentina,, but promptly stopped singing
when coming out of the tunnel to see 2 custom officers glaring at
us behind dark sunglasses from the 80īs. Oh and the "mullet"
haircut is back too.
A huge thumbs down to the Mendoza Police force for extracting
$100 from us. We were given an on the "spot fine" which don't come
with a receipt. Even though they knew we were raising money for
cancer kids. We were told to "no comment"!
A huge thumbs up to the Chilean family who took our Dr. in the
other night when the car had some mechanical problems and we were
separated. I found him the next morning at 7:00 am. We went back
to meet the family and thank them. He had gone off the freeway to
the first house and knocked on the door at about 8:00 pm.
Not being able to speak Spanish and armed only with a helmet and
bike pants, they didn't hesitate and gave him food and a shower
and the grandmothers cabin on the beach. Nice People, they
didn't have much but they had big hearts.
Only 10 days to go and 2,600kms
Taare
