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Title: The Green Angels (Ángeles Verdes)
Tags: Green Angels, driving in Mexico
Article: It's always in the back of your mind... you see other people driving all over Mexico, but you just can't summon the courage to try it... you keep thinking... But What If My Car Breaks Down? Or What if I Run Out of Gas? Or What If I Get Lost? Or Have An Accident and Get Hurt?   In Mexico, we have a group of wonderful public servants called the Green Angels (Ángeles Verdes) .  They wear green uniforms, speak at least some English, and drive green and white trucks loaded with tools, parts, gasoline and oil. They wear photo identification around their necks. Their hours of operation are usually 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, except during holidays when they work 24 hours a day.   If you have a problem, you may either pull over to the side of the road, raise your hood and wait - or you can call them at 078. The patrol in your area will come straight to you. They will fix your vehicle, if they can, for only the cost of the parts, gasoline, and/or oil. The labor is free. Tips are permitted, but optional. If they cannot fix your vehicle, they will tow you to the next town and help you make arrangements to get it fixed. If you get lost, just call the Green Angels and they will come and get you. In case of an accident, the Green Angels are also well trained in first aid and are in radio contact with the police and emergency personnel.   The Green Angels have been operating on the roads of Mexico since 1960. They are paid for by the Secretaria de Turismo Federal and patrol all major roads and highways in Mexico. Their sole purpose is to take care of the needs of both Mexican and foreign tourists. The program under which the Green Angels operate is called " Bienvenido Paisano ." Under this program, the Green Angels are also able to help if tourists have a simple problem with their papers or, if they have a simple complaint about something, the Green Angels will be happy to see to it that the tourists get to the proper authorities. The Green Angels also carry maps and tourist brochures, give directions, help tourists find a telephone and, if the tourists are unsure about where they are going, the Green Angels will lead them across their patrol area and hand them off to the Green Angels in the next patrol area - all the way to their final destination if necessary.   American tourists may sometimes feel as if the Green Angels are carrying their responsibilities a bit too far. After all, being a foreigner and not speaking Spanish does not exactly signify total incompetence. However, taking extra care of anyone in need of assistance is part of the Mexican culture and it won't hurt to just relax and let the Green Angels take over. Being nice and saying "Thank you" will always make for a much more enjoyable trip.   In addition, if you think that you will be the only American or Canadian on the roads of Mexico, think again. There are so many Winter Texans now that Tamaulipas has had to put in even more programs to help them get where they are going. Recent increases in RV parks and campgrounds throughout Mexico have opened the floodgates to tens of thousands of Americans and Canadians who are now happily camping their way all over the nation. So not to worry. We doubt you could drive through Mexico on any day of the year without seeing other foreigners doing the same thing. The best part of any day, however, is looking in the rear-view mirror and happily noticing that you are driving down the highway with a Green Angel truck right behind you. That's the point at which you cannot help but laugh and think about all the folks back home who gave you all of those dire warnings about driving in Mexico.   To reach the Green Angels, simply dial 078 from any cell phone or TELMEX phone booth. Your call will be routed to the Green Angels' Mexico City dispatch office. Agents there will radio the nearest unit to you and you will be on your way again as soon as possible.