{"id":1444,"date":"2014-02-16T23:47:33","date_gmt":"2014-02-16T23:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=1444"},"modified":"2014-05-07T19:54:29","modified_gmt":"2014-05-07T19:54:29","slug":"notes-from-the-road-8-to-13-march-2014","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=1444","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Road – 8 to 13 March 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NOTES FROM THE ROAD<\/h2>\n
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< more recent<\/a> | 8 to 13 MAR 2014 | older ><\/a> <\/p>\n

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Picking up the Jeep…<\/h5>\n

Went to the Indiancars facility outside of Paris to get our Jeep today …<\/strong><\/h6>\n



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12 MAR 2014:<\/strong> Early this morning we headed off to Indiancars, about an hour outside of Paris, to take possession of our Rally Jeep. We were early. But the Jeep was ready for us. Bruno guided us through the final paperwork including a long checklist of spare parts and supplies, and even took the time out to help me with the vocabulary for critical Jeep parts in French (though I hope I won’t have to describe any major problems to mechanics during the rally). He handed over the keys as we did a final walk around and they attached the “Rally Aicha des Gazelles” plate to the front bumper. We’re “official” now…
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Maps, Mascots and Good Luck…<\/h5>\n

Counting down the last couple of days to departure …<\/strong><\/h6>\n



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11 MAR 2014:<\/strong> It has been great having an extra few days here in Paris. In addition to prepping for the rally, we’ve gotten to enjoy the early spring and catch up with some friends. We’ve also added a few new “good luck” charms to our “critical equipment” list, that along with our mascot, will accompany us to Morocco. I am very touched by all the support we have received from friends and family as we head into this amazing adventure…
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Anticipation and Last Minute Details…<\/h5>\n

Hectic day running around Paris getting those last administrative details sorted…<\/strong><\/h6>\n



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10 MAR 2014:<\/strong> There are so many last minute details to get sorted out we feel like we are in a “treasure hunt” of sorts, running around Paris getting this certification, that document, this piece of stray equipment, that extra tube of sunblock, making sure the signage is delivered to the Jeep, that we have secure parking for a BIG Jeep in the center of Paris, etc… Then there is the irony of buying Algerian dates in France to bring to Morocco (but as this is our first Gazelle Rally, we don’t know how much time we will actually have in Morocco to go to the market to buy things prior to the event)! In any case, it is all coming together, and this week promises to get busier as the departure gets closer …
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Countdown: 7 Days til Departure…<\/h5>\n

A video in honor of International Women’s Day from the Rally organisers to inspire us…<\/strong><\/h6>\n