Around The World In 80 Waves

My headlights were still not working so with the help of my hotel’s manager I found a car parts shop.

Once there and with the help of the Haynes Manual I wisely bought for the car in California, myself and the owner of the operation figured out how to change a light bulb. Whilst you might think this should be a straight forward operation and be wondering why it takes two men to change a bulb it actually entailed unlocking the entire headlamp unit and temporarily removing the Little Green Surf Machine’s eyes! (I’m sure there is a joke along these lines as an aside.) At first glance it looked like it would be a nightmare and especially so with my talent for breaking things by not knowing my own strength, however the whole thing was achieved in under 10 minutes.

The operation was also a car wash so as a reward for good behaviour I treated the car to a proper clean by their valeting staff. The guy did a brilliant job spending nearly an hour, being really meticulous taking care not to miss the sills and such like which is easily done, so when I discoved the cost of the bulbs and the valet was only £12 I tipped him enough to buy a beer, which was well received with the customary ‘Pura Vida’, which seems to be the standard answer for everything, a normal greeting, and the marketing slogan for the local Imperial beer here in Costa Rica.

The finished result was fantastic. I dont expect it to last long but took a few snaps so that I can advertise online on the Panamanian equivalent of Exchange and Mart.

If I didn’t need the car for the last leg of Central America I would be very tempted to sell the car here. I have already turned down several offers of selling the car in Costa Rica where car prices are very high, some which would have entailled a $2,000 profit on the purchase price! I hope the market is as bouyant further down the line.