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| 1999 Jimmy alternator |
We got to St John and
followed the directions that Caravan auto parts gave Jim over the
phone. “Coming from the ferry dock go straight ahead until the
traffic circle and take the middle road, go by the Church and
continue until you find the gas station”. It sounded so close that
we decided to walk, and we did. We walked and walked. Feeling as
though we were lost, we asked for directions several times and
everybody said: “Just around the corner.” In the islands, so far,
there is not a straight road. After a couple of hills, 3 curves and
several intersections we finally saw the store.
Once inside we waited ten
minutes for assistance. The clerk found the alternator, tested it and
took the money. This whole process took 15 minutes. It was now 1:40,
and the ferry back to St Thomas was at 2:00. There was no way we
could walk back in time for the ferry, so we took a taxi and got
there just as they were boarding.
During the taxi ride Jim
called the mechanic to see if he could pick us up at Red Hook, take
us back to the house and change the alternator. The only problem was
that there was only room for one person in his van, so I stayed and
looked around some of the stores near the ferry dock. 30 minutes
later Jim arrived in his newly repaired car.
Two days and 275 dollars
later, Jim said: “I'd fixed that in North Carolina in 30 minutes,
and it would only cost me 80 dollars, but oh well. We have wheels! ”
By the way, the car also
needed new windshield wipers blades, a battery, two tires, freon in
the air conditioner and a rear brake caliper.
AnechyNotes
