Santo de Mexico

We had a tire blowout just starting back north from San Miguel de Allende. Fortunately, the car tracked straight and I was able to get off the highway safely. The rubber was shredded but the wheel rim looked undamaged.

Immediately feeling vulnerable to the whims of traveling on the highway in Mexico, we clambered out of the car and contemplated how we were going to effect the rescue. Certainly I could manage a tire change!

As we were dumping out our carefully packed gear to get to the spare, feeling conspicuously insecure, a man appeared. We were on a dirt frontage road in the campo. He spotted us riding by on his motorcycle and took an interest.

He had a kind face but you never know who might be drawn to this kind of situation. Might be an angel. Might be a vulture.

A brief greeting and he went right to it, taking the spare tire and tools out of my hands to help us. Had that flat off and the spare tire on in no time. Told us where the next gas stop was (the spare was a bit low).

I thanked him and tried to put a a bunch of pesos in his hand. He kept trying to give them back. We came to a compromise eventually but it was clear he was just intent on being helpful.

He was back on his motorcycle and on his way. A Santo de Mexico.