PHOTO_ID_L=the-dakar.jpg] We pack water, nuts and fruit and buy a sun umbrella at the supermarket meet our taxi and head for the stage.
After setting up we meet an American traveling on his own following the Dakar, he buys us ice cream and sits chatting with us most of the day.

Marc Como comes through the stage first, great to see although this final bit of the stage they cruise into the finish rather than sprint in.  
 
Then the cars start arriving finally the trucks.  

As we are watching at the finish line a crazy commentator for a local radio station is giving an ongoing commentary at the top of his voice into a mobile phone.


 I have been waiting for Simon Pavey and his son to finish and they finally arrive late having had a crash, but they finished and they are still in the race.

As just about everyone was through we decided to head home, only one problem, we had decided to stay, Lindsay and Marion had left at the agreed time with the taxi so we started walking.
After no more then 200yds a family in a beat up truck offered us a lift into town, the kids jumped in the back and we got in the back seats with Granddad and his flag of Chile. We managed a bit of communication and a few laughs all the way. It is typical of South America people will offer help with a smile, much more than in UK. I will try to follow this example when I get back.  
We got to the podium but too late to see much going through, but what a fantastic day to remember
 

On there way back to hotel Lindsay spotted Robbie Gordon's car parked outside Dominoes Pizza and went in and had a chat, said he was a really friendly guy and was interested in our trip, Lindsay is now part of his fan club!