From sledding to sand in just a few hours. There isn’t much to like about flying any more, but bailing out of Minnesota and being thousands of miles south in one non-stop shot is worthy of some praise. I’d still rather drive it, but sometimes even I have to take the practical route.
The check-in agent didn’t appreciate our luggage (our usual plastic bins). She forced us to sign waivers stating that our luggage was inadequate, therefore giving up any rights. When questioned about it and asked how exactly that was determined she told us that they were plastic and could crack open. I asked her at what point the flight would be that rough—would it be when the baggage handlers were tossing our luggage through the air? We did not part ways on good terms.
The kids talked about missing “Papa’s Blue Bus,” and how they were going to give it hugs and kisses when they saw it. There was even some follow through upon arrival.
The kids got a few new toys for the outdoor toy box. The stuff that wasn’t being used any longer disappeared.
The bus looked good—just like we left it. I stopped in the office to say hi and the manager mentioned to me that some more people had been through while we were gone and they were all very happy to see our bus here. He looked at me and awkwardly asked, “Who are you? Do you write songs?” It’s funny, because he’s convinced I’m famous. He asked me last month if I was a baseball player. He seems to think that I’m not telling him the truth, and that I am in fact someone famous. He had that twinkle in his eye, like, “I’m going to figure out who you are, eventually.” I think that right as we’re leaving I’ll tell him—in a confiding tone— that I was on a television show called Silver Spoons when I was a kid. Maybe thank him for being so discreet.
Ali was crossing her fingers two days before leaving because both kids were healthy for the first time in a month. The next day Ouest was sniffling and sneezing, and the night after we arrived Lowe was throwing up. Being in the States is not good for our kids’ health. We thought it might be another ear infection for Lowe, so we brought him in, only to discover it was a run of the mill flu.
In the States we had brought him in to a Minute-Clinic—one of those $99 places at the CVS pharmacy. We were happy to only pay $99, but were greatly underwhelmed by the experience in general. Ali said the doctor looked and smelled like he hadn’t slept in two days, which I imagine is not an uncommon experience in these low budget joints. Back here in Mexico, a visit to an actual doctor’s office cost us $30. The wait time was three minutes versus sixty, and before leaving the doctor was sure to point out that his cell-phone number was on his card. “Call any time if there is a problem.” Our experiences with medical in Mexico has always been vastly more satisfying than those in the States.
After the doctor it was back to the bus for Lowe. Ouest and I got to stay out and party.
I love that this old lady—who had to hold onto the wall for balance, herself—held out a hand to help.
To get Ouest to agree to cutting off her bracelet for the wedding we had to promise that we’d visit “the lady” in Mazatlan. For years now we’ve been stopping to buy bracelets from a lady who sat on the sidewalk across from the market with her two kids. Just sat there on the concrete day after day weaving bracelets while the small children entertained themselves without getting in the way of the pedestrians. Today, for the first time in memory, she wasn’t there, and Ouest felt deeply disappointed. She couldn’t understand where the lady could be. We did eventually find some suitable replacements—even with the evil eye that she cherishes so much—but it wasn’t quite the same. For an hour she repeatedly asked me where I thought she was and I came up with suitably kind answers.
With that off the list we could move on to more important things, like tacos. If I wasn’t married I’d sweep this taco angel off her feet and make her mine. Oh, that pork, how I love it so. There are three or four nice looking taco stands on this side of the market, but I’ve never felt compelled to cheat.
The feeling isn’t mine alone.
19 Comments on “From Snow to Sand”
There isn’t much to like about flying any more…
Despite that we still love it!
This is what drives me nuts about it. There isn’t much to like about it, but what the hell else are we going to do. We have to fly. I just don’t see how the experience is ever going to improve.
“would it be when the baggage handlers were tossing our luggage through the air?”
Of course they toss your luggage about. This is part of their excellent service level for which there is no extra charge. One more reason to travel by boat (or bus).
Mark and Cindy
I loved to fly – when it was in my vintage Aeronca taildragger. In an airliner I consider that only the pilot is ‘flying’. The rest of us in the airliner are enduring “air travel”.
Hi Guys, Ditto for the medical system in Thailand. I wish more of our fellow countryman realized just how dysfunctional our health care system is in the USA. What I can get done in a single day outside the States would take months within. Going to the hospital is actually a pleasure. The service is efficient, friendly and the treatment is a fourth the cost.
I love that last photo. Talk about a word picture! Love your Mexico pictures. There is so much color there.
Thanks, Sherlene, I like that one too.
Didn’t you have an American doctor fix your kid’s vascular malformation? And what did you expect when you went to a $99 clinic? An MD who was 1st in their class at Hopkins? Was this person even an MD? You don’t need 8 years of school and another 4 of an infectious disease residency to diagnose the flu.
One of the main reasons healthcare is so expensive and strained in this country is the firm establishment of the parasitic middleman known as health insurance. Surely a mercantile/futures trader can relate.
Any pilots want to chime in and defend air travel while we’re at it?
After our way too short, week-long visit to Puerto Vallarta I could tell you at least 25 stories we heard from expat Canadians and Americans about how great the medical care was in Mexico. From extremely good care to just the basics, caring, easily accessible medical staff and procedures done expertly and cheaply, and clean, modern hospitals and doctors offices, we heard it all. Not one negative experience was relayed to us. Yes, we have good doctors and hospitals here, but it seems that more often than not and indeed more frequently than in the past, it is hard to get appointments with the good doctors, if they are even taking new patients, or accept your particular insurance, and if you do get in to see a recommended physician your wait to see him/her borders on crazy long. . . . 30 mins to hours, no apologies given. Additionally, hospitals are short staffed and nurses are harried and grumpy. What to do, what to do.
How is the medical covered in Mexico, do they take insurance or just cash?
We’ve always paid cash. I’ve no idea how insurance works, either in the States or in Mexico.
This site gives a comprehensive overview of health care in Mexico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Mexico
“Do you write songs?” Lol. Just go ahead and tell him you’re Internet Famous.
Famous in very very small internet circles.
A few posts ago you mentioned Ouest might enjoy a pen pal. I have a 5 year old daughter who would enjoy one as well. If you were serious, shoot me an email.
Holy Snikies,
Just looked at the USD to MXN exchange rate. Gotta load up on the pesos!
It’s a glorious time to be in Mexico! 15.6 pesos to the dollar.
You are a riot! You had me with “Princessa Rainbow,” what a great dad, but “Silver Spoons” had me in stitches. Do you have a funny book, or a short story book in you?
I fondly remember a book by a comedian in Europe who wrote the funniest short stories about his family – in a foreign country – about 30 years ago. A lot of poetic license, but what a laugh.