Rossman
Nomad
Posts: 205
Registered: 10-6-2013
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Another magical day in Baja Sur
I had another magical happenstance yesterday morning in Bahia Asuncion that is so typical of my experiences here but yet continue to surprise me. I
have some work that I needed done on my truck. Brake pads, oil change, broken tail gate handle. I had all the parts but have been driving by Danny
Boys place (my normal mechanic) several times since I got back in town but it appeared he was out of town. Being Semana Santa time, that didn't
surprise me. Well I got in the truck yesterday morning to do another drive by and the truck wouldn't start. Starter would spin but not engage the
engine. Solenoid problem I figured. I am standing outside scratching my head trying to figure my next move and this guy drives by and stops. Seen
him around and figured he was a mechanico because he was always dirty and oily. No English but asked if I had a problem and could he help. Showed him
the issue and he goes to work. Took the started out and totally disassembled it. I mean totally. Turns out the C clip keeper that holds the gear on
the solenoid shaft had come off causing a bit of damage to the shaft. Says he can get one locally. Gave him 200 pesos and off he went. Had to push
him and his car to get it started which gave me pause. Half hour later he is back and couldn't get the part. Went to work on the shaft with hammer
and file and put it all back together. Worked great. Started right up. Meanwhile I had asked him about Danny Boy and he apparently has moved to
Vizcaino. So I asked this guy if he could do some more work today. Gave him all of the parts and he went to work again. Fixed everything thing for
43 bucks. Took 2 quarts of my drained oil and put them in his crankcase, another push and he's on his way. Angels come in all shapes and sizes I
guess. And they can be dressed in ratty clothes and have oil and grease up to and beyond their elbows.
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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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Always be on the lookout for new friends!
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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Glad to hear El Spiritu Baja is still alive and well!
Had a similar experience in south Mexicali.... in '91 pulled into an abarrotes for a pop on the way home from Puertecitos in my ol' '84 GMC Vandura.
Wouldn't start, the starter was shot. A local in a La Bomba Pinto (no back window) pulled in beside me. "Nececito ayuda?" he said. "Si", sez I. He
analyzed the problem, took out his tool kit, refused to let me help; pulled my starter, took it to his buddy's mech. shop half a block away, and
returned to buy me a Ballena of TKT and 2 plastic cups, which we availed in the PVC chairs outside the little tienda. The mechanic returned 2 or 3
times to ask for a few pesos so he could buy parts.... no problem. He completely rebuilt my starter (and it worked flawlessly for several years, even
when the van got sold) and after each of us swapping ballena-buys (about 4 or 5 if memory serves) and 3 hours of chasing parts, he crawled under the
van and re-mounted the starter; would not let me do it or even help... and I was on my way. Wouldn't even take a peso for his labor; swapping beers
and friendship was payment enough he said. I think the starter fix cost me about $20 back then.
He didn't speak English (or so he pretended) and my Spanish was still pretty puny, so I had my Spanglish dictionary in hand the whole time. He told
me he raised Conejos (rabbits) for food... and he taught me immeasurable lessons in humanity and Amistad. Thank you, Ramón Beltrán. Been trying to
'pay it forward' ever since... I see it still exists.
[Edited on 4-1-2016 by bajabuddha]
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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Rossman. Does this mechanic have a name? $43 for all that work...I am sure a good propina was in order.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13195
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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That is a great story! Both of them. Ross, I say find out where he lives and go hang out and have some cervezas every so often.
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
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Mood: 
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Great story. Thanks for posting.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13045
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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good things happen to good people amigo!
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