To get anything done in Paraguay it is vital to remain calm and relaxed, knowing that in all likelyhood some sort of solution will shortly come along and that even if it doesn’t not to worry. The Paraguayans have a word for this, tranquilo.

All that ever happens is calmed with a few utterances of “tranquilo “, getting stressed and excited is never going to solve anything in Paraguay.

And so it was once more shone to be true this afternoon. Being one of this worlds more relaxed people I long ago fell in with this particular South American version of “no worries “.

I guess the trouble began a couple of days ago. I lent a friend my motorbike to do something or other. What ever it was it was really urgent and really important. Things are always really urgent and really important when someone wants something and it’s rude not to help if you are able.

Anyway I was so surprised when the bike returned at almost the agreed time that I didn’t think to question why my friend had become so helpful, offering to put the bike in the garage for me. And thought nothing of there being just a quick thank you and goodbye before he disappeared.

So that was two days ago and working in the garden yesterday had no need to go anywhere on the bike. There it sat until lunch time today when the bike came out to go into town this afternoon and I discovered a rather flat rear tire.

All that had happened made sense, but there was no use looking for someone to blame. My bike so my problem to fix. Paraguayans don’t like confrontations or causing a scene so if anything is broken or damaged it will be sneaked back hoping no one will notice. A little frustrating, but just one of those things here that an outsider needs to adapt to.

There I was then, needing to go out but with a flat tire, also 5km from the nearest garage where a repair could be done.

Fortunatly being the rear tire that was flat the bike was still ridable and between me and the garage stood dirt track and then a little bit of grass verge which would be more forgiving than tarmac.

The problem was just a puncture but I knew that ride would destroy the inner tube, which would then need replacing rather than patching. The only alternative would be finding a pick up truck to transport me which would have required far more in both time and money.

I set out then carefully along that track. For once I was glad that the sand was in places deep for the extra support that gave.

I wobbled my way along and travelled those 5km without incident, glad to have not met much coming the other way.

Arriving at the garage I found two lads, hats over eyes and feet up on chairs who soon stired from their slumbers once they noticed a customer had appeared.

As ever there was no making an appointment nonsense and the wheel was off, inner tube replaced and wheel back on in just a few minutes.

Then after handshakes and parting with a very small amount of money I was on my way.

The world remained tranquilo and Paraguay carried on it’s way under the heat of the summer sun.