HEY...that guy's NAKED!!

Full of food and somewhat lethargic we made our way back to the row of motorcycles parked in the town square. We were fuelled but now the bikes needed to eat too. A quick chat with a local cabbie secured us the guidance we’d need to find the closest gas station. Once again we were off.

Ilo is a beautiful small coastal city. As the first Peruvian town we entered I was certainly wide eyed taking in all there was to see. It’s all new. Ahead of me something catches my eye...a man holding a large rock over his head. What’s even more troubling is that this man is completely naked on the streets of Ilo at one o’clock in the afternoon and clearly angry at someone or something. With his bits n pieces flapping in the Peruvian breeze we rode past hoping not to catch something all the while laughing in complete disbelief.

The laughter was quickly replaced by concern for a fellow rider. Victor Hugo on his brand new 30^th Anniversary BMW GSA found himself locked in a battle with a train track across the road. His front wheel abruptly yanked hard left. The bike went ninety degrees left and Victor Hugo kept going straight pitching him on to the road. Riding behind him I grabbed every bit of both brakes on the mighty Transalp and managed to get stopped and off to help Victor Hugo pick up the giant BMW. The streets were busy and the Peruvian’s don’t seem to have much time for delays of any kind.

With bits of the bike bent and scratched up Victor Hugo got right back on and continued on to the gas station for a fill up and evaluation of the damage to both property and body. Victor Hugo is a great guy. Bright smile and full of live. Never once did he complain about any of this. He would ride on a while longer until a section of our path had other ideas.