Is That It? It's Done?

I was up early on this the last day of the journey. Not sure what called me out but I grabbed my camera and headed for the streets of Tacna. The mayhem of the night before was replaced by relative calm. The city had yet to stir. The air was a cleaner and the absence of car horns gave it all a very different feel. This brief moment of peace was quickly replaced by a growing surge of cars, busses and people as Tacna came to life.

Walking back to the hotel I found Kiko alone with his laptop in the restaurant sipping coffee and reviewing the video clips he’d collected. Looking over the top of his glasses he motions me to come and see what he’s looking at. Dozens and dozens of clips of all the miles we’ve covered were spread out in thumbnails all over his screen. The evidence of what we’d just experienced...captured to help keep those memories fresh. Kiko and I share a few laughs despite our inability to really communicate. He’s a great guy and I hope to see him again. Gradually the team slowly trickles in to join us for breakfast. With Chile just a few kilometres away there is no real sense of urgency to get on the bikes. We will tour around, visit some Lombardi relatives and have lunch before we head off on the final segment of trip.

All loaded up and ready to go, Pepe once again springs into action to assist Larry and what’s left of his failing Transalp. With the electrics all but shot the only way to start the bike is to run it along and dump the clutch. With all the machines running we’re off for the last time. The weather is warm and the roads are smooth...a fitting finale to a great trip.

I’m not good at border crossings. I’m really not good at border crossings where I don’t speak the language. I’d say I’m teetering on panic. Not sure what I’m doing, agreeing too and setting myself up for. As I unload the luggage for a customs inspection one of the border patrol guys says “...where are you from?” IN ENGLISH! He had to ask me twice as it didn’t register the first time. He was then kind and gave me a bit of a hand in getting where I needed to go. Aldo was close by to handle any additional confusion. Soon after we were on the road again...now home in Chile...well sorta home.

As we approached the round-a-bout we all honked our horns announcing our arrival at the gas station where we began ten days earlier. Handshakes, hugs, smiles and tears were all part of the end of this trip. Amazing.

After a short ride further Aldo, Piero, Raul, Victor Hugo and I were back at the Lombardi farm...our start point. Very quickly the sense of “did that really happen” was starting to set in for me. I don’t think I was the only one. It was truly an adventure and one I’ll never forget. I’ve made many new friends far away. I hope to travel with them all again one day...or at least share a Pisco.

Todos lo mejor para mis amigos Chilenos! Gracias por permitirme estar con ustedes.