Many of us that live on the island often use the saying
“Only in Saint Kitts.” Some things that
go on here are unheard of in the states but we honestly don’t think about it
while on the island. I had another “only
in saint kitts moment” today.
Let me tell you a little background story on my right front
car window. One day I role it down to
talk to someone and it won’t go back up. GRRRR!! The mechanic who I usually use
and trust is off island until the other semester so I go to one that a friend
recommends. (remember this is Saint
Kitts we have a lot of back yard mechanics so trying to find a good one is
HARD). I go to him, drop my car off and
return at the end of the day. He says
that my regulator has gone out so I just need to order another one and have it
fixed. No big deal. Well this is where the fun starts.
I bring the part down from the states. Remember this is an island so if we need a
piece or something they usually don’t have it so we get it shipped in. BUT if we send it via the mail it goes
through customs and gets taxed almost 80%.
So most students just put it in their luggage and fly it in (so customs
can’t tax it).
I then go to the mechanic I trust to fix the window…well
this is where the trouble is. He goes to
fix it and the previous mechanic stripped EVERYTHING from the window and the
only thing holding up the window is a 2x4 piece of wood!! UGH!! Also the regulator I bought doesn’t work
because the window had been previous replaced and the “wheels” don’t match the
regulator I got….UGH!!
I then called the old mechanic and ask him where all the
parts are for my window…now he doesn’t know who I am, what car, or where the
parts are…LOST cause!!
So now the trusted mechanic gives me the names of the “new”
parts I need and where I could order them from (since no one can bring me the
parts for 15 weeks).
Well my window fell down again so I needed to get this
fixed. Having a “down” window is NOT
good when you live on a tropical island where it rains every day and theft is
high (I know of a special “window poncho” I use).
Now jump to today (remind you this has now been about 10
months). I head to the business to see
about ordering the parts. It is called
TDC on the island but is like a pep boys in the states. First I want an opinion of THEIR mechanic of
what parts I needed before I ordered them.
Well the first appointment would be in a week and then it takes 4-6
weeks to get the parts. Since I was
there I was also wanted a few other things looked at and to have someone put my
window back up. Well needless to say
they were all SUPER rude they kept doing was giving me the price for all the
parts. While in line the guy behinds me
says he is a mechanic and his spot is right down the road that he would look at
it and see if he could help. So what do
I do when I man asks me to follow him down the road…I run the other way….NOT. I
want my window fixed!! I finish up at TDC, make an appointment to get the car
looked at and see what “they” think is needed.
In sum the parts they said I need are going to cost almost $700 US just
to order (no wonder the first mechanic pretty much “stole” a working motor off
of it).
Ok mom here is where you stop reading…
So it is daylight and I can see the guys shop so I follow
him down there so he can look at my window. He takes it off and just laughs at
what is left. There is not much that he
can do but tell me in order to save some $$ I can go to the junk yard to see if
they have the parts. But “Crucial” yes
that is his name fixes my window to go back up, drills in the 2x4 so the window
will stay up. I asked him if I could pay
him for his help and he said Nope that I just have to share a beer with
him. So what do I do…drink a beer with
him and talk to him about the island, his family, etc.
So my window is still not fixed (but has a solid 2x4 in it)
but Crucial is going to call a few of the junk yards to see if they have the
parts.
Thought I would share my only in saint kitts moment…go to
one store, costumer has you follow them to your shop, fix your window with a
2x4, and pay by drinking a beer with him.
This is my life
