Whizzer

Transportation in my town was simple and low tech. People walked, rode their bicycles, or hired a coche (most rides were 20 to 40 cents). In my family tio Angel had a three wheeled motorbike that he used to deliver his freshly made bread everyday (like those tut-tuts we see in Thailand or Guatemala), tio Nicolas had a Vespa, and tio Pancho (the rich one) had a woody station wagon. Everyone else had a bicycle, the women did not propel themselves but rode sidesaddle usually on the top tube. In addition to his bicycle, Papi had a red Whizzer, I thought the name was onomatopaeic, it is actually a brand name although its etymology is likely a reference to the sound of its powerful engine! Sometimes papi took the family out on a drive, mami rode in the back, Ruth on top of the gas tank and I balanced on the handlebars – great safety! Nonetheless we never crashed and I do not even remember ever being afraid. I do remember that soon after papi got the whizzer, tio cuco visited and cajoled papi into letting him ride it. We were standing in front of abuela Lola’s house and saw tio Cuco drive away from us and go for about four blocks. He then attempted to make a u-turn and drove into a large chopping block in front of a carniceria (butcher shop). Papi ran down the street while abuela fretted. Tio Cuco ended up with a broken clavicle and because he could do no wrong, abuela blamed papi.