It was time for an oil change, so we drove the couple of kilometers into Valle de Juarez and right into the massive auto service yard operated by another member of the Contreras family. We always take it as a good sign that we are getting service from one of Sal's relatives.
As we meet townspeople in Valle de Juarez we find that many of them have spent time in the United States, nearly all of them in the Chicago area. Migrating to the US is very common throughout Mexico, as we all know, and, just as Newfoundlanders stick together when they travel for work, so too will Mexicans from a particular region congregate in the same part of their new country. Several local businesses here are operated by those who have retired back from the US. Now that the US economy is experiencing hard times, younger people are being displaced from their jobs and coming home involuntarily. And, of course, families visit back and forth between the two countries, so Illinois license plates are common.
While we waited, we strolled through the town, had an ice cream instead of morning coffee and sat in the plaza near the church, where we were serenaded by music from the loudspeakers.
We circled down to the small lake and walked the malecon, watching the ducks and egrets.
Back at the garage (taller mechanico) we noted that we were not the only unusual customers of the day. Wonder what these guys were in for.
