Autoshop Liveblogging!!!!

Meh, not really. I'm sitting in the back seat of our jacked-up car that the guys are trying to fix. Over the weekend Serena had a... what shall we call it... conversation with the curb. The car almost had enough clearance to avoid any trouble, but unfortunately not the case. The exhaust was nicked as well as the plastic engine casing that protects the underside from water and grime.

An interesting difference between mechanics in the States and here: They have zero parts. At home mechanics have basic things that are commonly needed--filters, fluids, belts, hoses, etc--but here they have nothing. That means they take off the part, walk or take a minibus to an autoparts store (that is invariably out of stock), and return. The process takes hours. Making matters worse, it's generally known that you should stay with your car while it is at the shop for fear having pieces removed or swapped out. So, here I am, doing something I've grown accustomed to: waiting.