We are Rolling again

Rest Day - What do you think that means?

Well the idea is that being no stage gives everyone a rest after a long first week on the move.....in truth nothing changes, The mechanics work just as hard, we work harder, only some of the drivers get a chance to relax....most are still flat out either still getting through the dunes or working on their own car.

Before the 'Rest Day' - it deserves brackets for the absurdity of the title - we had a large meal in Arica. Everyone of the TV team were invited and it was really good to get out of the bivouac area....We went to a restaurant called Mojito, overlooking Arica beach and the Pacific, which was stunning and the food very special indeed. I was dubious having been offer either Fish or Meat (i went Fish having lost the ability to chose meat pleasurably!) but the whole experience was great. I didnt speak that much rather communicated with impressions or wild hand movements! One observation i did make was everyone, male or female is Fat! I am told it is because there are so many different cultural influences, but i am not really convinced....Argentina was polar opposite so why should it change just as you get over the big hill!

After the meal, at which i was nodding off, i was dragged to Soho, the official Club of Dakar. Most of the team were already there, a lot of the Bivouac were there and had all been treated to bottle of Vodka. The place was packed to the rafters with women, perhaps 3000 women to 1000 men (mostly from Dakar!), and every single one was going mental, dancing, changing Dakar, sweating on each other and singing along Chilian Pop. Monster had infiltrated giving out thousands of flashing 'M's" which came in particularly handy when the power failed..... This signalled my shlep home.....

That became a journey in itself because only 1 taxi company could get anywhere near our bivouac and they didnt seem to exist..... Eventually myself and fellow Journo Alex found some girls to help us get home, i remember thinking they were mean not to ask us back to their apartment but having now reviewed the photo taken to break the ice, i'm extremely glad we didnt!

This Photo tactic was being used quite readily in the club to break ice and plenty of fat little Arican were wanting 'their photo taken'. This never happens in the uk, but i figured it was down to me looking a mess! Haven't shaved since i left and i didnt manage to get my hair cut before i came out here, so i am now SUPER shaggy.....my hair i mean.

Due to the drinking, no-one was very operational the next day, I was feeling good after a can of Monster but i think everyone else needed one too. The morning was a good opportunity to get out and chat with some of the drivers and in turn get a cracking tan but it meant i wasnt baby sitting the editors. By the time i got back to the truck with 3 hours to script...nothing had been done......I mean we not waiting for Helicopters to land to cars to finish, everything was there. Try as i might, no-one was being geed up and soon it was clear i would have NO idea what was going on the programme. I was mad even before going into the voice truck. I had no Script, structure or any idea...... except for 6 built points which are written on the wall each day.
I got through it and was happily holding back my inner anger until the co ordinater asked for the script.....I flipped and then plugged into to ITunes to stop a full on strop. I have this mantle......get drunk, have a wicked night, whatever as long as you can still pull your weight the next day. It was very apt on my Yachtmaster and here the same. The French hadnt.

Having spoken to the Production Manager 'its always like this, every year' i trotted off to the beach and watched a stunning sunset. There were thousands of little bird on the waters edge hilariously following the break as each waved forced them back towards the beach, and then back towards the sea. I think they were looking for little fish getting washed ashore but the way they scuttled soon put a smile on my face. I had a quick dinner with the Versus team and hit my tent at 9.

I needed the sleep....I felt a lot better today and everything went swimmingly, they even took my feature idea!

We are in Antafagasta once again sandwiched between huge dunes and the Pacific ocean. The Shower were good (not hot but thats asking way too much) and the toilets arent overflow....they even smell nice. The food is varied, we had sausages with sweetcorn last night and Chile is really doing itself proud! Contento!