We had to buy an empty propane tank when we bought our grill on Monday. Home Depot assured us that we could fill up at “cualquier gasera.” I interpreted this to mean gas station.
We stopped at the gas station near our house, but they said they don’t fill up propane tanks. So we decided to just wait for the gas guy. He yells, “Gaaaas!” every morning around 7 a.m. Naively thinking this would take a day or two, I went to Mercado San Juan and bought steaks and calamari and shrimp.
Ended up having to cook the seafood on the stovetop, because we cannot find this guy anywhere. A few days ago, I ran outside and found my street empty, even though I’d just heard a loud “Gaaaaas!” A guy cleaning his windshield stopped to stare at me, probably because I was still in my pajama pants and my hair was all wild.
This morning at 6:58, Crayton suddenly sat up in bed.
“Is that him?” I asked. We listened. I heard, faintly: “Gaaaaaaaas!”
He threw on clothes and flew out of the house. He came back maybe 10 minutes later. Nothing.
Where is this guy? Obviously he does not visit our little street. But we’re next to two larger streets — you think he’d be there, right? But he isn’t. The dude’s voice must carry for blocks. I wonder if he ever gets sore vocal cords.
Our next option is to ask the security guards across the street whether they know anything about the gas man’s whereabouts. We’re also going to ask the juice guy on the corner. If that doesn’t give us any leads, I think we’ll camp out at a cafe five blocks away, where I saw the truck two days ago, but didn’t feel the urgency to ask the driver any questions. (I was having coffee with the girls! I wasn’t thinking about the grill.)
If you know anything about filling up propane tanks in Mexico, please do share. I will give you a luscious piece of T-bone steak in return. Or a portobello mushroom if you’re vegetarian.
Sounds like the problem I had. Once I did speak to the gas man, we talked about when he would be around, days and time so as to not miss each other. Too I asked he ring my doorbell if he thought it was time. Hate to say this but ask your crazy doorman, I am sure he would be willing to help you too. LOL.
Lesley,
First thing. A “gasera” is not a gasoline station. It is a “gas” station where people who use propane in their vehicles fill up their tank. More often than not it will have a sign that says “Carburación”.
Second thing. When I need gas for the house I usually just call the company and they send a guy over within a half an hour. There are generally two or more companies in every town and the business is competitive so you should have no problem getting gas. Most people run out of gas in the early morning when it is cool and the last remaining gas in the tank shrinks in volume. People start calling the gas delivery company quite early.
i think it depends on your neighbourhood. went i lived roma, the gas man came every day. now that i live in la condesa, he only comes on tues and thurs, which is a pain when you run out of gas on thurs night. i asked the water man and he knew the gas schedule and told me where the gas man would be next. suerte.
Here is the phone numbers of the gas company that I’ve used several times. Usually if you call in the morning, they are able to come during the course of the day. Their hours are 7am to 4pm. #5733-4340 and #55-3020-0199. I’m not exactly sure the name of the company, but the employees are always nice and friendly.
Wow Lauren: Thanks! You commented just as my husband was running outside to try and catch the gas man, again. So perfect timing. 🙂 (He didn’t catch the guy by the way.)
Bob: Thanks to you too! If Lauren’s numbers don’t work out, I just need to figure out where to get a phone book…. maybe a Telmex store?