Tue 22 Apr 2008
Still in Cuszo
Posted by andy under Peru
[6] Comments
After a nice day of relaxing Sunday, Roar and I hit the streets to sell our bikes on Monday. We checked a couple of motorcycle rental shops with some interest but no real hits. I bought a marker and some paper and we put “se vende” signs on our bikes. We returned to Plaza de Armas near our hotel after an appointment to show the bikes to some one. We just stood there debating what to do when the signs demonstrated their worth.
First one person and then another, mostly just curious, stopped to ask questions. In just fifteen minutes we were fielding questions left and right. One guy was interested in Roar’s bike and I helped to translate. I turned around to talk to a couple of other interested people and a moment later Roar was walking with the guy back to the hotel.
The cops came up to me and told me I had to move (I think because we had been getting too much attention). I waited till Roar got back and the interested buyer hopped onto the back of Roar’s bike and they took off for the bank.
Roar ended up getting a pretty good price for his bike and now it’s in the hands of a happy Peruvian rider and his son. Long story short for me is that I haven’t sold my bike yet. Loads of interest, only a few offers, some too low, and one that I accepted this morning, seemingly has fallen through since I can’t get in touch with the guy.
Nevertheless, we have made firm plans (we already paid our money) to take the train to Machu Picchu and have a guided tour on Thursday. That gives me tomorrow to try again with the bike. If that fails, my best hope is to hang around until Saturday. That’s the big day for people to sell vehicles and many people have assured me that I can sell it then for sure.
I envy Roar that he is bike less with a pocketful of cash. He has no plane ticket and can go wherever he wants to. I’m still shackled to the bike (funny how I loved it so much before!) and probably won’t fully relax until it’s gone. This feels like the end of the trip and transitions tend to suck. If I had the time and money I would love to continue but I can’t. I gotta go back to work.
Cross your fingers for me!

April 22nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Yes, those transitions …
You have good plans though & I wish you good luck with your bike.
I will be thinking of your on Thursday.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Did you try at the Rats Tavern? lots of foreigners there.
I`ll send the link for the address
http://www.nortonrats.com/
April 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Hi Andy, want to thank you for your brilliant writing during these months I`m going to miss it. Wish you good luck with selling your bike.
Regards to my son.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
. . . still crossing my fingers.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:31 am
To Roar’s Mom,
Thanks for the compliment. I’ve enjoyed writing and sharing the experience. And I am a little sad that it has to end….