A Car Wash (Honduras Style)

The car gradually rolls down the bumpy gravel road towards the muddy Guasaule River. There are a few cars in front of us so we have to wait but not too long since the car wash attendants are working fast. Soon it is our turn. A ten year old boy waves us forward, then signals to stop the car, as if we had just entered an automatic car wash. We gradually pull forward and drive into the middle of the river where we park the car in between a few rocks. Several boys equipped with buckets and old rags start to give the car a good rinse, they are as wet as the car or the river for that matter but the sun is scorching so the refreshment is probably welcomed. A couple of minutes later they are finished and we exit the “car-wash” on the other side of the river. The sun quickly dries the car and we are on road again.