Day 82 - Engine gets Disassembled

(Ursula) Our travel companions kept us company. Wolfgang was still in bed with a fever. The work rhythm was slow in Mexico. Everything seemed to take forever, and the language barrier didn't help either.

The dealership only carried a few of the parts we needed. Our 1700cc engine wasn't popular in Mexico, and we needed to get the parts abroad. The dealership suggested that we might be able to obtain them in Guatemala.

We decided to explore that possibility. Heinz and I walked to a gas station with an adjacent restaurant with a pay phone. Heinz flipped through the phone book and found the main Volkswagen dealership in Guatemala City. I helped him by throwing in the coins, and on the third try, he was able to get through.

A German-speaking fellow, Mr. Bosch, wrote down the order and said he would check the inventory - to call him back in an hour. Incredible!

An hour later, we called again, but Mr. Bosch wasn't available. After waiting and some back and forth, the secretary at the office confirmed that the parts were in stock, except the cylinder head. Heinz asked them to reserve the parts and said he would come and pick them up the next day.

Heinz boarded a bus to Guatemala City that same evening. His backpack contained a change of clothing, a toothbrush, and the broken parts, just in case. So far, so good!

It was hot and humid in Juchitán. Barbara was able to get two dozen eggs for us. Wally and I took a splash shower from a water hose by the workshop and tried to sleep, wondering how Heinz was doing.Read more