Today, I’m not talking about writing. Not really about travel, thought this incident did happen in Mexico. During the summer we had driven our car back to the states. The laws on keeping cars long term in Mexico had changed and we had decided we would take the Suburban back to Texas and sell it.
But when we came back down for a six weeks stay, my sister and brother-in-law had just left and said just use their car. We had a secure parking space under a roof. The place where they parked was being resurfaced and so their car was parked on the street near a favorite restaurant. They would be happy to have us use it and keep it in a secure place.
We had breakfast the day after arriving with the person who had the key and that person walked to the corner and pointed to the Jeep. She left and we approached the car.
But, the key wouldn’t open the car. Actually, I couldn’t get the key to even go into the lock. I attempted several times, as did my wife. No luck. I tried to see if something was stuck in the keyhole, but I couldn’t see anything. A number of people in the restaurant watched us, with amusement perhaps.
I called my sister’s cell phone. She always has it on, wherever in the world she may be. But, she didn’t answer and I left a message. What special thing does she have to do to open the Jeep? After awhile, we called the manager of my sister’s condo and asked for help. He said he’d meet us there in a few minutes.
We were in Mexico, after all, so we didn’t expect an instant response. But after another thirty minutes, my wife walked over to the condo to see what the holdup was.
By now, we had spent 
over an hour trying to get the car. I decided I would call a locksmith to come and open the car. I was about to make that call when my wife returned to inform me that we were at the wrong car. Just yesterday, a good parking spot had opened up close to my sister’s condo, and the manager had moved the car.
At the same time, my cell phone rang and it was my sister. Her opening statement was, “That key will not open a Jeep.”
The car we were trying to get into did indeed look like my sister’s car, the same color, shape, roof rack, etc.. But, had one been paying careful attention, even if they didn’t know what make my sister’s car was, one might have noticed it had a child’s seat in the back. Not my sister’s car.
The person who had pointed it out to us had been half a block away. And that was where the car had been until the day before.
In spite of the delay, I was very happy, ecstatic even. Had I gotten the locksmith there to open the door … well, let’s just say, I would not have liked the Mexican jails. So, my advice today is: beware when you borrow. (Or maybe: it helps to know what you are borrowing.)
If you’ve had an experience where you almost got in trouble by a simple mistaken identity, leave a comment about it. Thanks.
James R. Callan’s two latest books are:
A Ton of Gold, a suspense based on the questions, How can an old folktale affect the lives of people today? It can be found on Amazon http://amzn.to/UQrqsZ in both paper and Kindle editions, as well as at Barnes & Nobel and other e-pub sites.
How to Write Great Dialog, a book for writers. It is on Amazon in paperback at: http://amzn.to/1f2XE9u
Jim, I enjoyed reading your blog as always. I do not have a car story, but my niece was recently in Mexico in a very nice and expensive hotel with some friends. She slipped on the tile stepping out of the shower on her first day of seven. The house doctor was called in, he wanted to perform surgery at the local hospital. When she refused, he charged her $1500. for the house call and wrapped her ankle. When she returned home she had emergency surgery (cost her a lot more). During the seven days it was reported that more than five people had slipped on the tile in their baths, but of course the hotel was not at fault. So she suffered through. augie
Surely he meant 1500 pesos. Generally, doctors are not that expensive here. Wow. Even a house call here should be more like 1500 pesos, not dollars. I hope the surgery went well and she is okay now.
They do use a lot of polished tile here and they can be slippery. The older I get, the more careful I get both entering and leaving the shower. I’m sorry she had a bad experience.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us, Augie.
Lucky you. Mexican jails are not nice places!!
Amen. And getting out is not easy – or cheap – so I am told. I hope not to find out by experience. Thanks for visiting.
I’m so glad you didn’t have to go to jail in Mexico, Jim! My uncle was once stopped by the police because he fit the description of a bank robber. Fortunately, the officers realized their mistake and he too avoided being arrested!
Thanks for the comment, Patricia. And another example of mistaken identity.
Thanks for sharing your story of mistaken identity. And I’m so glad I did not get hauled in for trying to steal a car. After my incident, someone else was telling me that there are many cars that have the same keys. With the old standard keys, I can imagine that is true. There are only so many combinations you can get from a few tumblers.
I like your comparison of your car to your purse. Our is usually like the gypsy wagons.
When are we going to see Buzzard Bait?
Thanks for stopping by.
I once flung myself into the passenger seat and started yakking, before I realized the person beside me was NOT my husband! He invited me to stay, the devilish old gent. Fun story, Jim!
Keep life interesting, doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Melodie.
Funny story, JIm. At least in hindsight! Years ago, I heard a story here in town where a person came out of the courthouse, unlocked their car and drove away…only to discover later, it wasn’t their car! Same make, color, everything…and his key fit both vehicles!
Now, I would never have made that mistake because I consider my car an extension of my purse…so there is always a lot of stuff in it…and it’s usually messy. I love my old car. It’s 15 years old and still gets me where I need to go. My husband is currently looking at new cars, and I keep telling him I don’t want one until the wheels fall off this one!
Thank goodness y’all didn’t end up in jail!!
~Ann