NOT AN ORDINARY NIGHT DRIVE

by Lynne M. Ruegger

Many people worry about traveling the roads of Baja. There is

reason to be concerned in some circumstances. We all know that driving

after dark could pose problems. Let's explore this situation as an example.

After having purchased a new car, you decide it would be exciting to

make a trip to San Felipe in it. Everyone will be happy for you with your

new set of wheels. And, of course, you are excited to have it and have a

chance to show it to all your friends.

So, you are on your way, even though it's a bit later than you

usuaslly make the drive. It will be okay. After all, you are driving your

new car. You have those little twinges in your tummy every time you think

of showing it off. Back to the trip now. You are traveling at the lower

rate of speed required for night driving on Mexican roads. It's oh so hard

to keep from pushing that accelerator to the floor.

Suddenly you hear THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. You recognize the sound of

a flat tire. Oh my. Where to get off the road? After driving very slowly

on the flat tire for some distance to find a spot wide enough to allow safe

tire changing, finally you can get off the road. Whew. That was exciting.

A different kind of exciting than the feeling just prior to the THUMPS.

Where in the world is the jack? Where is the spare? It's a new car

and you didn't think about this sort of stuff. Finally with a tiny

flashlight on your key chain (because you forgot to put the big one in the

glove compartment), you discover the owners manual to see if you can look up

where these items are kept in the new car. It's not easy since you have to

keep the little button pushed down on that tiny flashlight to see. Ah-ha.

There it is. It's in a compartment under all your stuff.

Now, you must unload all your stuff to get to these needed items.

And of course, the flat tire is completely ruined after driving all the

distance on it. After unloading everything, you finally discover the

compartment. Where is that moon? Why isn't it up to help out just a

little? It's not easy when one hand has to hold a tiny flashlight the

entire time! So after much difficulty, you find the compartment, but now to

figure out how in the heck to get that new jack unfastened from it's

holdings so you can actually use it! With only one hand! And that finger

pushing the button to keep the light on is getting cramped. Working in the

dark will be necessary since both hands will be required to get these items

removed for use.

After much trouble, and hand cramps from holding that little button

down to keep the light on, you finally manage to get the tire changed and be

on your way. A chore that would normally take about five to 10 minutes has

kept you on the roadside for an hour and 25 minutes. But you are finally on

your way.

By this time, you have discovered that traveling at night in Mexico

means you should take certain precautions. And if you're doing it in a new

car, be sure to check out your owners manual to learn where all the

important things are that you might need.

P.S. Living on earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around

the sun!