Congratulations to manager Fernando (L) and the mechanic (R) who cared for Torch and put her back on the Road to Rio!
It was another touch and go at the automobile hospital called Bridgestone for Torch. It ended successfully with us driving out of Mexico City together in the late afternoon and making it to Puebla just after dark. Puebla is the capital city of the state of Puebla and I chose it because it was on the way southeast to the Guatemala border. Before I left I Pricelined a room at the Hotel San Angel in the historical district. Torch and I were on the move again and it felt great!
I worked on the internet at Bridgestone the entire day keeping close tabs on Torch’s progress. Work being networking and planning the next few days of the journey. Looking back there was only one time on the JTOG that I knew where I would be a week ahead. Mostly it was tactical day-by-day meeting people, getting tips and progressing in the direction that would take me to the next country and on my way to Rio.
Closeup of the weld on Torch’s boot… the axle is connected to the boot which is connected to the wheel, albeit a bit differently now.
Next up was Guatemala City which was 775 miles and a minimum of 16 hours driving time away from Puebla. My plan was to cross the border in Hidalgo in the Mexican state of Chiapas and enter Tecún Umán in the San Marcos Department of Guatemala. I was aided greatly traveling down the Pan American Highway by referring to a website called ‘Drive the Americas.’ Lots of great border crossing tips, none of which I followed as you will see in the weeks ahead!
I haven’t shared how extensive Torch’s injuries were until now. She was in bad shape from the bumpy roads in Mexico. Missing the direct toll road to Mexico City just before Monterrey really was a big deal. I am happy I came the way I did because of the sightseeing, especially the beautiful little village of Mineral del Monte. Actually it was my driving too fast for the road conditions that probably impacted Torch the most. Isn’t it true we harm the ones we love and are closest to us? She paid the price for my poor planning and reckless driving.
Leaving Mexico City… a beautiful ‘Sea of Humanity.’
Basically she had two rear hip replacements the hard way by cutting, realigning and then welding her back together. There was a bubble in her back right tire so we had that replaced. As for the shocks, struts and spring replacement the spare parts, if they could get them, would take at least two weeks. So back together she goes and off we went down the road bopping and weaving quite a bit more than before. In hindsight, the next time I do the trip will be in a well-maintained 4×4 sport utility with good GPS on my cell phone.
We left Mexico City right at 5 pm and the drive south was beautiful. The mountains and in my own words, the ‘sea of humanity’ below them.
Click here for a Highlight Video driving out of Mexico City headed to Pueblo.
Hanging with the young folks from Poland at the Hotel San Angel in Puebla.
We arrived in Puebla just after dark. There was a problem with my reservation but eventually it was resolved. They called me ‘Mr. Andy’ I met three young adults from Poland, two girls and a guy, Marta, Barenika and Daniel. They were very interesting and they found me interesting too. I jotted down one of their quotes—”I thought golf was for like older people who are rich enough to play.” I was a bit peculiar to them and I think they thought I was a ‘hippie.’
Life was good on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ Torch was ‘repaired’ and we both had a comfortable bed to sleep in, mine at the Hotel San Angel and hers down the block in a guarded parking garage.
What experiences, adventures and challenges would tomorrow bring?
Something I thought I would never do but I did it willing this time!
There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee…
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.
The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.
Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.
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Thank You!
Inn Sur, my home for a week in Mexico City!
Traveling light, backpack, golf clubs and roller bag. Taking the Metro Bus to go get Torch!
Seemed like there was an angel in the night sky for me in Puebla.
