Driving at high altitudes in the Sierra Madres,  I experienced these same
heartstopping symptoms.  Many highways in Mexico lack any shoulder
whatsoever, often with a dropoff of several feet or more at the edge.  South
of the border, Big Rigs rule the road with a fatalist's iron fist.  My
greatest fear was that I'd lose power just when one of those big guys was
riding my bumper.   Madre de dios!
    Once, in a small village with cobblestone streets, I  tried to make it
up a sharp incline, lost power, and had to back down a narrow stone bridge,
nearly wiping out two sad-eyed burros loaded with mangos and papayas.
    I will be watching responses to this post with great interest,
tho I am leary, now, of most all "mechanics."
Phaedra
'85 Westy-Wolf
"Hester"
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