The end of an era...and nearly my life!!!

The most eventful news for a while happened last Friday night. Amanda, Brittany and I decided we wanted to go to Tegucigalpa (the capital city) to go to the cinema and get away from Sigua for the night. We arranged to stay with friends there and piled into my car. Now I'd taken my car to the garage the day before to get the emergency/hand brake fixed, and so was able to assure them both that it was in good condition and would make the journey no probs! It's a 2.5 hour drive round and round and up and down mountains. Beautiful scenery....and roadworks! We obviously set off at 4.30pm and so were set to run into rush hour but we were in no hurry....!

At about 6.30ish we arrived in the outsirts of Tegus - at the top of a very long hill. Rush hour was in full swing, it was dark and the traffic was unbelievable - city traffic at that too! As we started driving down my car decided this was a fine time for the brakes to go! And they did. No brakes...nothing....nada....zilch! Hmmm. I told the girls, and I don't think they realised the full extent of the no-brake-ness as they couldn't see the traffic close behind or the angry faces the drivers were making. Horns beeping everywhere I just prayed hard and drove inbetween the cars, changing gears to help slow down. We then pulled off onto a slip road which went up so slowed us down again! Then we cut through the Mall carpark and virtually flew over the speed humps! The scariest bit was at the traffic lights and not being able to stop until the last minute!! Driving in rush hour downhill without brakes is not something I'd recommend to anyone!! We arrived safely, which was only by the grace of God! Looking back, it's amazing we didn't crash or cause a pile up or something! The next day the mechanic came and looked at the car and tested all the brakes, he said there wasn't a problem. We went on a test drive around the hills to make sure it was ok and it seemed to be. He said the brakes over heated from over-use with the roadworks. Now I've driven that road many many times and never had a problem with over heating so I'm not convinced. However, we were able to drive home ok. As we arrived near our house the brakes started slipping again, but we were near enough home!
Since then the engine is running way too high and it sounds like a racing car!! So, it's probably this that caused everything to over heat.

So the upshot of all this is that I am going to have to sell my car and buy a new one (well new to me!). My car is 19 years old and the engine is in great condition so hopefully I will at least get what I paid for it? I am going to repair and fix it up and sell it asap. I need a car that works and that I can feel safe in. Amanda is leaving in July and so I will be doing most of my travelling alone and I need a car that will keep me alive - and safe - white girl waiting on side of the road is a no-no!!! It really is an end of an era (allbeit a short era) and we 've had many many adventures in this car...remember the wheel coming off going down a mountain?! But security has to come first! I'm hoping to get another 4x4 4runner. I use my car ALL the time for church etc. It's my way of serving others, as I am lucky enough to have a car I use it to help others out - especially as it gets dark here at 6pm every day and walking at night is a no-go. The thought of being in my neighbourhood without a car fills me with dread - not the safest area, although I love my house here!!!

I have less than no money right now - and I know everyone is in the same boat! But, if you feel you could donate ANYTHING - £1, £10, £100, £1000 - ok i'm pushing it a bit - I would be really grateful. Buying a new car here is more expensive than getting one in UK because they all get run into the ground and have to be imported from the US too. There are no nice used car garages either, you just write your phone number on the back of the car!! As the rest of the world suffers financially, it hits hard in the 3rd world countries too - even the cost of bananas has shot up and we're the original Banana Republic!!!

If you can help in any way please let me know or contact my Dad for info on how to get the money to me (i.e. into my bank!). If you go to St George's, Helen A can help! Think and pray people, think and pray!! Thanks xx