Only one day left on the Vespa auction. I'm actually starting to hope I win the thing. I've got a lot of emotion invested in it right now!

I also decided to go back and contact some of the people who have already purchased Vespas from my Indonesian connection. I was very pleased with the reponse I have gotten from them. They have nothing but good things to say about Bram (short for Abraham) the guy who owns the company and restores these bikes. Not only did they say that Bram was honest in his transactions and communication, they also said that the bikes live up to the descriptions on the Web.

I'm feeling a lot better on that front... but Jakarta, Indonesia! That is a long way away. It is going to cost something to ship that thing over here. Of course, what a story to tell. I just hope that there isn't a chicken in the package with a case of bird flu!

This could all just a thing in the past tomorrow. Surely someone will out bid me. Most of the other Vespas are going for more than I have bid.

Oh boy, I'm still the highest bidder on the Vespa. Of course, right now the Vespa is starting to look better and better. The way fuel prices are starting to climb the 90 miles a gallon those things get is starting to warm me up to the little two wheeler. Really it wouldn't bother me so much except I wonder if I am getting a piece of garbage that looks good on the Internet but will fall apart when it gets here.

I just got a message today from a guy in Clemson who must have found my entry on eBay. It was one of those form messages "Don't get taking for a ride by cheap restorations to Vietnam and Indonesia. Buy your Vespa from me." I hope he isn't right! Only a couple of days left...

Today I did something kind of stupid... I think.

When I was over in France one of the things I thought was really cool was all of the Piaggios over there. Of course, they were the new variety and not much like the "mopeds" we have here in the states. Upon returning home I went by my local Vespa dealer to check them out.

Nice. Expensive. Still, the new ones just didn't have the mystique of those older ones you see in some of the old movies. I decided against buying one. Still, I couldn't get it out of my mind.

Ebay. I decided to just look at what might be out there. I found it alright. It is a beautiful 1964 Vespa Super. It is a 150cc scooter with - of all things - a side car. I don't know if I want to buy it. There is a reserve. I kept bidding to see what the reserve happens to be. I finally beat it. Now I am hoping that someone else will come along a out bid me! It is a nice bike but it is in Indonesia!

I still have several days before the auction ends...