Today's events culminated with Ken sitting in a police station holding cell. I was pulled over for riding on a road that did not permit motorcycles. Not marked, just apparently information people are supposed to know. The police officer asked for my documents, which I did not happen to have with me, they were back at my Airbnb, my mistake, so I was actually guilty of something this time, so I was not sure how much of the event will be actual fines and how much will be corruption. That question was answered rather quickly, the officer told me it was a $150 fine, payable in US dollars.....of course ... immediately. I went though my normal anti-corruption routine, "give me a ticket, I will pay it," " I have photos of my documents on my cell phone," nothing was working, so I went for my hail Mary try that has always worked in the past, "we can go to the municipal building and I will pay the ticket there." He calls my bluff and takes me to the municipal building, which was actually the police station, and directly into the Chief of Police's office. Well corruption runs high here. Long story short, my antics did not work there either, and into the holding cell/interrogation room I went. An hour goes by and I am hauled back in the Chief's office. By this time I am a bit annoyed. He tells me my fine is $150, payable now, in US dollars. He opens his top desk draw, and tells me when the money is in there, I can go, then walks out of his office. So I am getting angrier, but I am pretty much out of options at this point, so I decide to pay up. I stand up, take out my wallet, and start counting out the money, loudly, and in a very exaggerated manner, dropping the bills square in the middle of desk. Any questions about how legit this fine was, was quickly confirmed as he came running in, pissed off that the whole office saw me counting out the cash (more people he has to share with now ... he he). In all the commotion, I slipped $20 out of the pile and into my pocket. Small victory, but a victory nonetheless. Took my license back and got outta there. I did manage to get my bike washed and to the grocery after all the commotion was complete. I did a quick calc and I have 4,500 miles until I arrive in Buenos Aires. Tomorrow I will try to track down a new rear tire. It has life left in it, but not that much life.
Trip Summary
Today's Leg: 0 miles
Total Distance Traveled: 7,969 miles
Total Borders Crossed: 10
Total Countries Visited: 11
Total Times Stopped by the Police/Tickets Issued: 11/0
Shaken Down by the Police/Total Paid: 5/1
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