bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Poco Cielo Car Rescue
My father always said that I was born with a lucky horseshoe in my back pocket. So much good fortune is in my life and I know it and appreciate it.
Yesterday, driving along the beautiful scenic road from Ensenada north to Tijuana and the Mex/U.S. border crossing, my left rear wheel and axle
decided they no longer wanted to accompany me on the trip.
One fortune was that I had slowed for the downhill curve near the Cantamar exit on Hwy 1 at KM 44. If I had been traveling in my normal rush north,
there would have been no way to control my vehicle on this busy highway.
Catching my breath after my Jeep screeched to a stop, I called my friend to ask for assistance and she started calling area friends and neighbors in
Ensenada to provide support. But, my friends live 90 minutes south of my little drama on Highway 1, also known as the “Scenic Road”
I almost forgot that I had a friend at KM 59 in La Mision. Cheryl is the owner of Poco Cielo Hotel & Restaurant. My phone call there was
answered by “Brandon”. He has never met me and has no idea who I am. But, he confirmed my location and said he would drive north to assist me in
person in 10-15 minutes.
Brandon arrives 15 minutes later, introduces himself as new to the community. But, his Spanish language skills are far superior to mine. Within 20
minutes, a tow truck arrives and takes my Jeep Cherokee to a Cantamar mechanic. Brandon helps negotiate terms and conditions, receipts for my
deposits and payments to tow truck guy and mechanic.
Victor Manuel Dominguez is the mechanic in Primo Tapia/Cantamar at KM 47. He will head to Tijuana Wednesday for parts and likely complete repairs on
Thursday. Fortunately, a convenience store a few doors south of Victor’s shop has an ATM machine in this little town.
Brandon then drives me back to Poco Cielo to spend the night and enjoy the sunset, happy hour and dinner. Oh, yeah, all of this was at a super
discounted rate in the “El Capitain Suite”.
I also needed transportation to the U.S. today/Wednesday. Brandon shows up at 8AM as promised and provides the limo service.
WHO IS THIS GUY???
Hopefully, my Jeep will be repaired tomorrow/Thursday and I can resume my usual activities in Ensenada. For now, I will wish for a vehicle problem
every day if the results are like this.
You may be able to find the surfer, lower left of last photo, enjoying the waves with me this grand day.
Mil Gracias Brandon, Bertha, Felipe, Israel the rest of the team at Poco Cielo. Owner Cheryl, you are also lucky to have such great people serving
you and your guests.
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by bajadock]
[Edited on 2-24-2012 by bajadock]
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bacquito
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 3-6-2007
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Mood: jubilado
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Good for you! I hope your luck continues!
bacquito
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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take care of your limo driver.....
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Woody, thanks for that. Brandon, a consultant for Cheryl, at Poco Cielo is my limo driver, concierge and more. Slapped a nice pile of
more-than-lunch-money pesos in his hand today.
He also stopped by mechanic to check on new rear end being installed. Took photos and helped mechanic pay attention to detail and get Jeep in proper
condition by tomorrow's deadline goal.
Dolphin show at approx 1:30 PM at Poco Cielo was a no extra change.
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danaeb
Senior Nomad
Posts: 991
Registered: 11-13-2006
Location: San Diego; El Centenario
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Mood: groovy
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Dont ya just love Baja? For all the 'scary baja' stories posted here, stories like yours just reconfirm my choice to settle here. Thanks for
sharing.
[Edited on 2-23-2012 by danaeb]
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by danaeb
Dont ya just love Baja? For all the 'scary baja' stories posted here, stories like yours just reconfirm my choice to settle here. Thanks for
sharing.
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Yeah  He
was really out amongst them. Glad he got out alive.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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what a beautiful story and gives us all the more reason to support poco cielo !!
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Thanks for sharing this great story bajadock. Baja just seems to be bursting with great folks.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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zoesterone
Nomad
Posts: 127
Registered: 5-8-2011
Location: Mazatlan, soon to be Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
Good for you! I hope your luck continues! |
One more good reason to make a stop at this lovely place which isn't too far from me. I will stop next week with my Seattle visitor and tell them WHY
we are stopping. A lot of good hearts there and I hear, good food. Don't lose that lucky horseshoe, Doc!
Dogs are not our whole life, but make our lives whole.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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jeep
Hola, you do know what jeep is in spanish????????????
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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A Mexico minute is the opposite of a New York minute. Day 3 of my adventure at Poco Cielo…
A lot of the enjoyment in Mexico is discovered IF you can manage your expectations and practice your patience.
The land of mañana usually delivers what you need, maybe not what you want. And it will usually take longer than promised. But miracles of great
service and fast delivery can be found!
23 Feb update: Brandon stopped in at mechanic’s shop 9 miles north. Took photos of new rear end installation in progress.
Chipotle shrimp dinner Tuesday, shrimp omelette for breakfast and chicken fajita dinner Wednesday and my second night in El Capitan suite make life
very comfy.
Surf is pounding the sand. Dolphins continue their dance.
AND MY JEEP IS READY for my test drive and I will be on my way. Thanks to all.
“If I didn’t know better, you ripped the axle off your car as an excuse for a vacation in an awesome location. It’s like being shipwrecked on a
deserted island with Kate Upton and a case of tequila.” ~ de mi amigo, PABLO
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