How to Change a Tire in Mexico

Tonight I got together with some friends to hear a Mexican man we know tell the story of his life, so far. It was an inspirational tale, from family poverty through alcoholism, addiction and jail, and his journey of overcoming all this to become a happy and productive person. Afterward, a few of us were hanging out at the coffee shop across the street, when one of us discovered her Suburban had an extremely flat tire.

“What should we do?”
“I can change that tire in five minutes.”

Six of us wandered up the street to help and offer support.

After about fifteen minutes, a couple of us went and got another car for more light, as the flat was on a fairly dark stretch of the road.

After another half an hour, someone had the brilliant idea to call roadside assisstance. They said they were sending someone out and he'd be here in fifty minutes to an hour. We decided to go get a bite to eat, and meet the mechanic back at the car.

All six of us piled into the light-providing VW beetle, and off we puttered to a Brazillian taco place, and had a mess of fabuloso food, then piled back into the beetle and back to the flat tire.

Soon, (after another phone call) the mechanic arrived, and went to work. He showed one of the guys the trick to getting to spare tire out, and the party started to break up. Three of us stayed to the end. The tire was changed, and off we finally scooted home.

Total time elapsed to change a tire: Four hours, including dinner.