La Parabrisa
After a night of camping south of Santa Rosalia, we headed into town to ask the obvious question: anybody got a windshield? The new Spanish word for the day is parabrisa. We did a bit of a goose chase and even visited a yonke, but came up empty handed. The consensus response was that we would have to drive to La Paz – or maybe Constitución before we would find anyone selling auto glass.
We taped up the windshield with packing tape and started the long haul – 550 km looking through a shattered parabrisa.
Despite the obstructed view, the scenery here is killer. It’s a nice drive. You manage to find each square inch of glass that is the best one to look through depending on the curve of the road.
Our side-plan was to look for VW buses along the way and flat out offer to buy their windshield from them. We spotted 5 junked buses in backyards and in empty fields. All without windshields.
Driving without A/C has never been much of an issue for us – but it’s definitely hot here in the summer. As long as we’re moving, it’s okay. It’s when we have to stop – say for long delays due to read construction – that it can get miserable. We’ve been hauling this 12V fan around for a few years and it’s come in handy quite a few times – it earns the BodesWell seal of approval. Today, especially. Still, nothing beats hopping in the ocean.
Side note: Back when we crossed the border in Tijuana, a guy stopped us in the street and offered to install an A/C in the bus for $200. Bode jumped on it – YES, PLEASE! I balked. I don’t know if it’s been mentioned before, but the bus came with a dilapidated aftermarket A/C when I bought it. It was a preposterous hack job cut through the roof. At least, now I know where it may have come from.
I’m so happy that you all are doing well and the Grand Tour continues. Lesser folks (me) would have turned around. The best of luck on the trip and the hunt for a new parabrisa. I will be riding shotgun … from home computer.
Soooooooooooo nice, your trip, your family, your bus!!!! Here in Brazil its close … “para-brisa” … i have a vw 71′ bug and have to change it too ( but for other reasons, kkk ). I live in south of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), a really big hug and happiness in this day-by-day new life!