Here They Come Again! Nov 2009

Who says snowbirds aren't fun?

 Who says all they do is

clog up the roads and rent all the casas?

Who says they buy all the English magazines and

newspapers before the lazy expats

can get their sorry butts up off the couch?

Who says they're boring

and all they want to talk about is golf, kids

and bathroom tiles?

Who says they're skinflints always

looking for a bargain?

Who says they are dull and conservative

and afraid of their own shadows?

NOT MY SNOWBIRDS!

Happy Birthday, Sonia!

 

He Gives Great Head! Nov 2009

Yay!  Finally!  

Someone who can cut curly hair!

I'd given up.  

Then along came James Don.  

And I got the best haircut since I've been in Mexico.

I have the kind of hair that inspired a woman behind me at a 

hula competition once to mutter to her friend when I got up. . .

Good, there goes the bush head.

My mother was confounded by my hair.  She had it thinned, 

trimmed, sheared, braided and plaited.  Braids seemed my destiny.

Then the 60's came along!!!!   

It was cool to look like Bob Dylan. 
When I didn't want to look like Bob Dylan, 
I ironed it.  So I could look like Cher.
Right.

GIMME A HEAD WITH HAIR, LONG BEAUTIFUL HAIR

SHINING, GLEAMING, STREAMING, WAXEN, FLAXEN

GIVE ME DOWN TO THERE, HAIR

SHOULDER LENGTH, LONGER HAIR

HERE BABY, THERE MAMA, EVERYWHERE DADDY DADDY!

Lyrics from Hair

  

 That was then,  this is now.  

James Don, a southern gentleman and hair artist, built a

salon in the back of Marina's Hotel Suites.  It's attractive and comfortable,

friendly and affordable.

Stop by and visit and see for yourself.

The salon is located in Marina's Hotel and Suites

on the Carretera #40 in El Chante

before coming into Jocotepec from the east

and on the lake side of the highway.

Plenty of parking.

Phone:  387 763 1933

Email:  jamesdonsalon@gmail.com

 

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm. . . Nov 2009

Dude!  How'd You Get There?

I Love Cruz Roja! Nov 2009

 Damn!  I've been sick.  Eight days and nights of diarrhea, I know, sorry, too much information. . .but you need to understand the implications. 

Two different docs, three different treatment modalities.  Finally!  Third time is the charm, cured by the Red Cross!  And this is not the first time either.  Cruz Roja rocks.

I woke up the 8th morning sick again and scared.  I knew I'd lost too much fluid and needed replacement as well as probably some IV antibiotics.  Question was. . .where to get it!

There are not many clinics here at Lake Chapala where I have confidence in the medicine that is practiced there.  I've had some BAD experiences.  So, I started calling around. 

Cruz Roja said "Come in, you need care!"  Sparks, my new neighbor, drove me into Chapala, the doc met us in the parking lot, and we had our consultation then and there.  They helped me to a bed and started working on me.  Nena started an IV.  Meanwhile, they took vitals and the doctor got a more lengthy report as well as asking pertinent questions regarding allergies to meds and lifestyle use.  He took a blood sugar and then infused an antibiotic into my IV bag that was already loaded with vitamins and minerals. 

I used to work (volunteer) at this clinic and it was so nice to see everyone again, got lots of hugs and many very concerned "How do you feel?" questions with caring hand squeezes.

Three hours, an elderly man with a broken hip, a little boy with a fractured foot, and woman with chest pain later, they infused an antiparasitic into my IV.

Then a nasty open femur fracture arrived - motorcyclist versus car, the bikes always lose.  By this time 8 hours had passed and I was feeling pretty good.  My IV had run out and I was good to go.  But not without strict doctor's orders for diet follow-up and prescriptions.  All in all, I was there for 8 hours, had IVs and meds, vitamins and minerals, excellent - and genuine - care and the total tab for my Tune-Up was. . .  ba dump bump. . .325 pesos or about $24 US. 

I've spent many years practicing medicine in ambulances, working in Emergency Rooms, Urgent Care Clinics, and other venues and I can tell you with absolute certainty that the treatment plan that was given to me is the same that would be used in any ER in California.  It was good, timely, appropriate, and well executed.

Did I say I love the Red Cross?  They are a jewel and we're SO lucky to have them here at the lake.  There are 3 docs working rotating schedules.  Two of them are Dr. Armandos and the third is a woman I have not met yet.  Dr. Armando Aran (the doctor that treated me) and Dr. Armando Zepeda both are trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and there is a 12 lead EKG at CR in Chapala.  Dr. Aran works at Hospital Puerto de Hierro in Zapopan on his days off from CR.

Dr. Aran asked if I would return as a volunteer and I agreed.  I will meet with him next week to look at scheduling. 

For more information or to donate to this noble organization, please see:

Cruz Roja Lakeside, the local site.

Cruz Roja Mexicana, the national site.

  

Young People! Nov 2009

It's no secret that the Lake Chapala foreign community is teeming with old people.  I am one of them.   yikes.

I moved to this area because I was bringing my mom with me  (she was 94)  I wanted it to be easy.  It was, too, it was great.

I have to tell you though, that while having a 94 year old roomie and living in a retirement community, I came to the realization that I ached to see some YOUNG people!  It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was walking down Calle Colon, in Ajijic, one afternoon and approaching on the other side of the street was a YOUNG foreign family.  With little KIDS.  I had an overwhelming urge to dash through the traffic and over to the YOUNG people and throw my arms around them and beg them to move here.

So, I emailed Don Adams, writer and author of Head For Mexico: The Renegade Guide, and said. . .Dude, where are the coooooool people?  He returned. . .You're right about those fuddies and duddies up there, you better get to the beach.

So, I did.  It was great.  So many young people, energetic, still attractive and tight-bodied (heh), erupting  ideas and plans, happy, having fun on the beach.  It was, sort of, YOUNG overdose.

Now, I am back here in the beautiful highlands with all US old people again.  Ah well, better than the alternative. . .

Meet some cool YOUNG people I've run into in my travels:

 

Anjelica Barba Borja

Telephone 1284-9686

Cel  331-291-3667

She makes beautiful, artistic beach-type jewelry and adorable sandals.

You should be able to find her at the Ajijic tianguis on Wednesdays.  For other

places, call her at the above numbers and she will give you her schedule.

She lives in Guadalajara

 

WANT DREADS, WILL TRAVEL

Allen, Adriana, and Cristina.

Allen and Adriana live in Guadalajara and will travel to do their

extremely tedious and time consuming, but cool, artistry on your head

with their crochet hooks.

They are dread masters.  I met them in Tapalpa

40 pesos/dread or 1500 pesos for a full head.  Takes all day and then some.

They were fun!

Allen 044-33-11-7548

email  estoy_trizte@hotmail.com

or

yandax_2@example.com

Happily, there are now lots of young families here around the lake, I guess if they work, someone is a techy, or they're riding out the economic storm in warmer weather.

They all have one thing in common though, they look very happy.

The Dude and His Do Nov 2009

All good guesses!  I sure was surprised to see what was revealed when he, upon my request, tipped his hat.

The boy had a very large and thick pillow of dark brown wavy hair.  Pillow, because it was.  Just sitting on top of his head.  A big PUFF of hair.  I couldn't help but laugh.  He was a great sport.

The outline was a real and very thin line of hair growth.  Pretty tedious to do, doncha think?

You were all right to some extent, thanks for playing!

Never seen this particular dooooo, before, and I was dooooooly impressed.

Groan.  Sorry, couldn't help myself.

-MT