Day 6 Monday...A 9,000 peso kind of day?

The hotel last night was a delight. It was called Las Palmas, Midway Inn and it was like stepping back into the 50’s.

We asked at reception if they took dogs to be told they would and to top it all it was cheaper, go figure? It was a motel so we drove around to the room with great trepidation  as because it was a ‘dog’room we thought it might be a bit...... shabby shall we say but surprise surprise it was fine. I really didn’t want to walk on the carpet in bare feet but I’m fussy like that but the place was clean and had all the usual amenities plus it had a restaurant so life was good.

The dining room was a huge affair very retro, as were the staff. The waiters could have been your Grandad. They were dressed in one size fits all blue polyester jackets and nice shiny black pants and did the very formal ‘waiting’ thing, they hovered a lot  and were almost over attentive but they were really  quaint and friendly. I would recommend the place as a stop over for sure.

'Come on old girl'

The Midway Motel

Today's journey was interesting. You know when I say interesting that I mean something is going to happen don’t you. Yes it did but first……….

The landscape was very boring. Boring boring. The fertile alluvial plains of central Mexico it was not.

At one point I think some greater spirit thought  that ‘the old girl’ was taking it too easy and decided to throw in something to wake us all up.

We passed a sign that said elevation 4,500 feet and that was on the way down. The mountains are called The Sierra Madres which might explain a lot. The road was actually a good road and the climb up was long, no severe bends and gentle. Coming down was a different kettle of fish! It was a long , very long,  way down .

And here’s the photo to prove it.

You have probably gathered that we made it down of course. We stopped to refuel and that’s when today’s luck ran out. The luck bucket must have had a leak. The ‘old girl’ would just not give us any power. We crawled out of the Pemex but after only a few yards had to pull onto the hard shoulder. At this point Stephen used three expletives in a row whilst hitting the steering wheel at the same time . I couldn’t blame him , I think I uttered a profanity or two myself at this point . 

So, after the moment passed (kind off but what can you do ) We thought that if we un hooked the car we could go find a mechanic. It is quite the experience just standing at the side of a busy main thoroughfare let alone tryng to un hook the car. The trucks create such a draft and come so close it almost knocks you over. It’s quite nerve racking.

We had just finished when a car pulls up and the guys inside ask if we need a mechanic? Manna from Heaven? As it turns out they help out the Green Angels ( Free roadside assistance provided for by the Federal Government for tourists and travelers) This is what they do all day. Cruise the busy ( and it is busy ) highway looking for  breakdowns and as Mario told us on a hot day like today ( oh didn’t I tell you it was hot?) they can be kept quite busy. We explained the problem and they got to work. It turn’s out it was a box that housed the electronic controls, the gadget that makes all the other stuff work is what we gather. The box they removed was reconditioned ( because it said so on its cover ) so when it was reconditioned I hate to think?

Mario talking to Stephen

One of the guys took it away to see if he could get another one. Mexicans never ceases to amaze me in so much as in moments like this they can just about fix anything. All I could think was how long is this going to take that is assuming they can get ‘the box’. Mario stayed with us while his partner went for off to get things done. Within 15 min Mario ( by the way he was one good looking Mexican ) gets a phone call to say how much it would be. Whatever it was we needed it  fixing so what do you do? They came back with a brand new box. He also said that if the box didn’t fix the problem we wouldn’t have to pay. Fair enough.!

It did fix the problem. 7400 pesos for the box and 1500 for their time. One expensive day but what was the option?

Looking on the bright side it could have broken down in the middle of nowhere or near the border so I think we should count our blessings.

Also we have no negative history of ever being ripped off by Mexicans in fact quite the reverse and we have clocked up quite a few miles on our Mexican travels. Mario and his helpers ( an extra one arrived after a phone call from Mario) were polite efficient and friendly. We were on our way in a couple of hours.

Oh just as a side story that may make you chuckle..............

While Mario was waiting for his other mechanic to come back with the part he came into the motor home and sat down and had a chat. Okay so he was chatting to Stephen I couldn't understand a word. Stephen was holding his own and Mario was chatting away. I couldn't grasp anything so I asked Stephen what Mario was saying. A few seconds passed Stephen hesitated looked deep in thought. I found out afterwards that he was trying to formulate the words to translate to me only a shorter version.

Unfortunately he did the translation in Spanish. I listened to him stumble on for a few seconds then gave him a , are you off your rocker ' kind of look ( I'm getting good at them aren't I...years of practice ) and said ' Hello? I speak English?'........... Even Mario laughed at that one.

Tonight it’s another Luuuuurve Hotel.  Tomorrow is another day. A better day I hope.