TWO TRIPS TO PHARMACIES IN MAZATLÁN: TREATING A MILD INFECTION WHILE IN MEXICO

EASY ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION IN MEXICO SIMPLIFIES HEALTH CARE

 

Jon Purchasing "Prescription" Medication

    Fear of illness or injury while living or traveling in Mexico is a real concern for many people. It may ease the minds of travelers to know that pharmacies, Urgent Care Clinics, and hospitals are readily available in tourist areas of Mexico. Here is one story of treating a health issue while in Mazatlan that I hope will help others realize that medical care is easily accessible in most areas of Mexico:
    My husband, Jon, awoke one morning with a stye on his lower eyelid, a small, red, painful bump with a whitehead. He asked me what I thought he should do since I am a retired pharmacist. I gave him the same answer I have given my patients for over 30 years. A stye is a mild infection in the oil gland of the hair follicle of the eyelash. The best treatment initially is to apply warm, moist compresses for 10 minutes, three to six times daily, using a clean washcloth each time. A stye will usually clear up in three to five days using this treatment. If not, then a prescription medication will be needed.

     Jon followed my advice diligently, but the stye persisted. I recommended that he use an antibiotic eye ointment (without steroids) which he could purchase over the counter in most pharmacies in Mexico. Between my knowledge and his research on the internet, we decided to go to a pharmacy and ask for an ophthalmic (eye) ointment containing the antibiotic polymixin b. Jon used www.SpanishDict.com to translate "polymixin b ophthalmic ointment without anti-inflammatory steroids" to "polimixina b ungüento oftálmico oftálmico sin esteroides antiinflamatorios ”. He printed this and we took our request to Guadalajara Pharmacy (Farmacia Guadalajara), a very professional discount pharmacy one block from where we

Farmacia Guadalajara in Mazatlan

were staying at Mar Rosa RV Park. The friendly pharmacy clerk confirmed that he wanted ointment for his eye, and then showed him an ophthalmic ointment containing the three antibiotics in Neosporin®  ophthalmic ointment: neomicin, polymixin b, and bacitracin. We verified that the dating was not expired, as always. This medication would require a physician's prescription in the United States, but we were able to purchase the eye ointment over the counter without a prescription for only 90 pesos (about $6.50 U.S.), saving the cost of a visit to the doctor's office and, additionally, saving on the price of the medication. 

     However, after three days of treatment with the antibiotic eye ointment, the persistent stye, though improved, had not healed completely. I recommended that an oral antibiotic was needed. I suggested a five day course of azithromycin, 500 mg on day one, followed by 250 mg daily for four days. Jon confirmed my advice with more internet research, printed out the Spanish translation "azitromicina", and we headed to another pharmacy. We needed to stock up on groceries and wine that day also, so we decided to go to Mega Comercial, our favorite "one-stop shopping" store in Mazatlan. At this pharmacy when Jon handed his printed request for his medication to the pharmacy clerk, she told him it required a prescription. I asked how we could get a prescription, knowing that some Mexican pharmacies have a doctor who can write a prescription when needed. She brought a professional woman in a white coat, possibly the pharmacist, to the counter to help us.  The white-coated professional said it would cost 30 pesos (about $2.15 U.S.) for the prescription. When we agreed, she wrote the medication name and quantity along with Jon’s name and date of birth on a piece of paper. Then she sold us three tablets of azitromicina 500mg for 78 pesos (about $5.50 U.S.), enough to complete the five days of therapy. So, that’s how it works to buy “prescription” medication in many pharmacies in Mexico now! This "prescription writing" is a fairly recent development in the routine of selling prescription medication in Mexico and often doesn't occur in small town pharmacies. I never did figure out if the woman who wrote the prescription was a physician or a pharmacist. But we saved another doctor visit expense and purchased the prescription medication for a very low price. Jon's stye has finally healed after spending a total of $14.15 U.S. 

     The same treatment in the United States would have involved the same three consultations with a pharmacist (free), two visits to the doctor (around $100  each), and two prescriptions (around $75 U.S.) for a total of $250 to $300 U.S. Our health insurance may have reduced the prices some, but our out-of-pocket expense, after it was applied to our deductible, would have probably been at least $200 more for the same treatment in the United States as in Mexico!

     Treatment of some illnesses, injuries, and infections while in Mexico may require a visit to a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. We like to locate a nearby clinic or hospital in each town we visit so we are prepared in case of emergency. In Mazatlan the Nuevo Mazatlan Medical Center is an Urgent Care clinic a short distance south of Mar Rosa RV Park where we stay in the Golden Zone, a quick taxi ride or bus trip down the street from us. It is located at: Av. Bugambilias #3172 Esq. Sábalo Cerritos, Marina Gardens, Local 2 (Av. Camarón Sábalo) Their phone number is: 52-669-191--3195.
     I recommend locating a doctor or hospital in your area when you are in Mexico so you know where to go if you become injured or ill. Below are emergency phone numbers to keep handy while in Mazatlan, though hopefully you will never need to use them (reminder, always verify this information as things change in Mexico):
     Emergency from a landline in Mazatlan: 066
     Red Cross Emergency: 52-669-981-3690
     Mazatlan City Police: 52-669-986-8126
     Mazatlan Fire Dept.: 52-669-981-2769 and 669-983-9920

     For more information on Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico, read my book now available on Amazon.com worldwide. Take a look inside the book at:
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HENDERSON'S MEAT MARKET IN MAZATLAN & THE PRODUCE TRUCK: Crock-Pot Pot Roast for Dinner

Henderson's Meat Market in Mazatlán

Chuck Roast From Henderson's Carnicería was the Starting Point for this Delicious Pot Roast

     We discovered Henderson’s Carnicería (meat market) in Mazatlán this week. Their beef is aged which improves the flavor and increases the tenderness. We decided to purchase a chuck roast rather than a rump roast for this pot roast hoping for a more juicy, tender finished dish. We couldn't find a chuck roast in the freezer section so we asked if they had it. The butcher pulled a large roast out of the front cooler and cut off the 1.5 kg. piece that we needed. Fresh, not frozen...even better.

     Henderson’s address is Camarón Sábalo #1502 Col. Sábalo Country Club in Mazatlán. This is across the street from Pueblo Bonito hotel just north of the Golden Zone. They often close at 3:15 to 3:30, so get there early!

 

Jon Shops for Vegetables & Fruit at Mar Rosa RV Park

   Next stop to gather the ingredients for our Crock-Pot Pot Roast was the Produce Truck. It comes to the Mar Rosa RV Park every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so we have gotten spoiled with front door delivery of fresh vegetable and fruit. We purchased the fresh potatoes, carrots, onions, and mushrooms that we needed to prepare dinner the next day. We had our Crock-Pot Pot Roast bubbling away on our patio table all afternoon and I think the neighbors were enjoying the savory aroma as much as we were. I believe I have finally perfected my recipe for Crock-Pot Pot Roast and so I am sharing it below.

INGREDIENTS:

·         8 ounces Crimini Mushrooms (or other fresh mushrooms)

·         1 boneless Chuck or Rump Roast (3 to 3 1/2 lb. or 1.5 kg.), fat trimmed

·         4 tsp. Minced Garlic

·         2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

·         2 cups Beef Broth

·         1 cup Dry Red Wine

·         1 can (6 oz.) Tomato Paste

·         1 envelope McCormick Homestyle Gravy Mix

·         1 tsp. dried Basil

·         2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

·         2 tsp. Tapatio or other bottled Salsa Picante

·         ½ tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper

·         1 large Yellow Onion, chopped

·         4 to 6 small Red Potatoes or 3 medium thin-skinned Potatoes

·         2 Carrots

·         2 stalks Celery, if desired

·         ½ cup Frozen Corn, if desired

¼ cup Flour plus ½ cup purified water

     Trim fat from roast. Mix olive oil and 2 tsp. minced garlic. Baste both sides of roast with garlic-oil mixture. Heat gas barbecue on high temperature. Brown roast for 5 minutes on each side. Browning the roast on the barbecue is part of the secret of the delicious flavor of the finished dish.

    Soak vegetables in a Microdyn®-water solution (or other vegetable disinfectant) according to directions on the bottle, scrubbing to remove soil. Cut vegetables and layer in bottom of crockpot: potatoes in ½ inch cubes, carrots peeled and sliced in bite-size pieces, mushrooms sliced, onions chopped, celery chopped in ½ inch pieces.

    Place roast atop vegetables, cutting to fit crock-pot as needed.

    Combine beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, dry gravy mix, basil, Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp. minced garlic, salsa, and ground pepper, stirring to mix. Pour over meat and vegetables. Cover; cook on high heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or low heat for 10 to 12 hours.

    One hour before serving, season to taste with salt, pepper, and additional Tapatio as desired. Add corn and stir. Replace lid and cook one hour on high.

    Skim fat from top of crock-pot juices. Remove roast to serving plate while making gravy.

    To make gravy, combine ¼ cup flour with ½ cup cold water in a saucepan. Stir in 1 ½ cup juices from crock-pot. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbling for one minute. Serve in bowl to ladle over vegetables and meat.

   Serve vegetables in crock-pot or in a separate bowl. Grated cheddar or Chihuahua cheese may be served on the side to sprinkle on meat and vegetables if desired.

   This delicious version of Pot Roast has become one of our staples when we are hungry for American comfort food. The recipe makes enough for dinner for the two of us that day plus enough to freeze for one dinner and one smaller portion for a lunch. Jon claims he could never tire of having this meal!

To read more about "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico" take a look at the book now available for Kindle and Kindle apps on Amazon.com:

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A WALK TO MUNCHKINS SPORTS BAR IN MAZATLÁN: Football Playoffs & Dinner

Munchkins Restaurant & Sports Bar

A FRIENDLY PLACE WITH GREAT TELEVISIONS FOR WATCHING FOOTBALL AND SOCCER

     This time of year, when the NFL football playoffs are happening, where we "live" in our motorhome in Mexico is dependent on where there are good sports bars. For my husband, Jon, Mazatlán qualifies as a good place to "live" during January and through Super Bowl Sunday. There are many sports bars in the Golden Zone (the hotel zone), but Jon's current favorite is at Munchkins Restaurant. The staff is friendly and English-speaking. The food is good, prepared with fresh ingredients, and the menu has enough variety that we look forward to trying something new each week. The Coconut Prawns with Mango Sauce were delicious. The hamburgers and ribs are some of the best we've had in Mazatlán. This week we munched on appetizers, starting with the Fried Zucchini Sticks with a tasty dipping sauce and then we finished with the Super Nachos served with fresh pico de gallo, salsa picante (spicy hot salsa), and an order of guacamole. That meal seemed to fit the football mood and was very satisfying. The wine is good and the prices are moderate. 

Watching Football Puts a Smile on Jon's Face

     Munchkins' decor is a cute imitation of an old west saloon with red and white checked tablecloths, a western-style menu board, and murals of cowboys and saloon girls on the walls. The effect is warm and cozy. I have to admit that we avoided this place for years thinking it looked too "touristy". But once we gave it a try, we have become attached to this homey restaurant and sports bar.

     The crowd at this sports bar is friendly and not too rowdy, which I appreciate. Munchkins draws Mexican families, expats from the United States and Canada, and tourists from around the world. The crowd for Friday's playoff games was a little livelier than usual as the fans of the football teams were pretty vocal. I have a feeling Super Bowl Sunday is going to be quite a party at Munchkins!

     Munchkins is located at Avenida Camarón Sábalo 550, Las Gaviotas, Mazatlán, across the street from Dairy Queen. It's less than a mile from where we are "living" at Mar Rosa RV Park, so we get our exercise for the day with a nice walk down the beach at 4:00 in the afternoon, watching the tourists ride the banana boat and para-sailing. We walk home afterward along the lighted sidewalks on Avenida Camarón Sábalo through the hotel zone. The most common question we get asked about living in Mazatlán is "Do you feel safe?" Yes, we feel safe walking at night in the Hotel Zone. There are many other expats and tourists walking at night, too. It's a lively, friendly area and we enjoy "living" in Mazatlán. Who knows, this may be the city we decide to retire in...

Read more about Mazatlán in my eBook for Kindles and Kindle Apps, now available on Amazon.com. "Look Inside" the book by clicking this link:

Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico eBook on Amazon.com

BRENSTER'S BEACH BASH & ZUMBA WITH PENNY AT DIEGO'S IN MAZATLÁN

Brent McAthey, the "Brenster"

Great Party, Healthy Fun on the Beach!

     Brenster's Beach Bash is one of the best parties in Mazatlán! It happens at Deigo's from 2:00 to 6:00 every Tuesday, November to April. Brent McAthey, the "Brenster", a Canadian Country Music singer-songwriter, is a star in Mazatlán. We were especially glad that we were at the Beach Bash this week to see the Brenster perform with Tanya Carrum, a talented Mexican singer who also performs at La Catrina's every Wednesday during high season. Another treat this week...the Brenster sang with his special guests, Patricia Conroy, Michelle Wright, and Beverley Mahood who were slated to perform at the Brenster and Carrum Show at the Hotel Playa Mazatlán on January 16th. The crowd were on their feet dancing, singing along, and just having fun in the sun! This is why the Brenster's Beach Bash was voted one of Mazatlán's "Favorite Things to Do".

Dancing on the Beach is Part of the Fun

A Party Under the Palm Trees in Mazatlan

Penny Fuller Leads Us in a Zumba Dance

Zumba Demonstration During Intermission

     Once a month Penny Fuller, Zumba Instructor, takes the stage during Brenster's break to keep the crowd dancing with a Zumba demonstration, and this week we got to join the fun. Zumba in the sand with bare feet is a fun workout--a great way to dance and get exercise at the same time! View the YouTube video by clicking this link:

Penny's Zumba Demonstration at Brenster's Beach Bash

     Penny teaches Zumba Gold Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 AM at the park on the corner of Mojarra and Atun streets in Mazatlán 's Golden Zone. Her Zumba Toning class is at the same location at 7:50 AM Mon., Wed., and Fri. Great fun, great exercise! 

Read more about "Healthy Living" in Mazatlán in my book, now available on Amazon.com! Take a look by clicking on the link below:

Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico

MY FITBIT REPORT FOR 2014: BENEFITS OF WALKING & ZUMBA IN MEXICO

My Fitbit Pedometer Report for 2014

2,174,584 STEPS IN 2014! 
I WALKED 973 MILES IN 2014!
     That is about one-third of the way across the United States!
     That's an average of about 6000 steps per day. Not bad... 
     I plan to reach my goal of 10,000 steps per day in 2015. That would be 4.5 miles per day or 1640 miles in one year, about half-way across the United States. I can do it! 
     AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE MILES THAT I RODE MY BICYCLE! 
     Since we sold our cars in 2014 when we were preparing to "move" to Mexico, we now walk and ride our bikes most places and ride the bus or take a taxi when we need to. Walking and riding a bike instead of driving is "Healthy Living" with many benefits. I reflect on the changes I made in 2014 and...
    I think of the gallons of gas I didn't burn.
    I think about how much healthier I am because I walked and rode my bike.
    I think of all the sights I enjoyed because I walked by them rather than speeding by in my car.
    I think of all the Zumba classes I attended, both in Mexico and the U.S. and how much they made me smile, dancing to the music.
    I think of how walking and riding my bike helped me slow down the pace of my life, helped me simplify my life, and helped decrease the stress in my life.
THAT'S HEALTHY LIVING, SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO AND 6 MONTHS IN THE U.S.! 
2015 IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!

My book is now available on Amazon.com! Take a look by clicking on the link below:
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HANK, OUR NEIGHBOR IN MAZATLÁN: JUST CALL ME HANK - BRENSTER'S MUSIC VIDEO

         BRENSTER'S MUSIC VIDEO ABOUT HANK

Santa Hank on the Mazatlan Beach

     Brent McAthy, the "Brenster", a Country music star in Mazatlán, has written this song and recorded this fun video about Hank from Ohio. Hank is a real person, a real nice person who spends every winter in Mazatlán. He is a fixture at Diego's every Tuesday during the Brenster's Beach Bash. 

 

Santa Hank at the 2009 Christmas Party

   Hank is our neighbor in Mazatlán, and has been since we first met him at Christmas 2009. That year he was Santa, handing out gifts to the children at the party and fundraiser for the Salvation Army orphanage. I notice his beard is much fuller these days...

     Read more about life in Mazatlán in my book now available on Amazon.com. "Look Inside" the book by clicking the link below:
Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico Book on Amazon.com

LORI DAVIDSON & ROB LAMONICA-MUSIC AT MACAWS A TREAT AFTER A LONG WALK TO THE NEW WAL-MART MARINA MAZATLAN

Wingin' It with Lori Davidson at Macaw's

TEN THOUSAND STEPS TO THE NEW WAL-MART MARINA MAZATLAN

     Friday we decided to get creative to reach our goal of 10,000 steps. We needed to do some shopping, so I suggested we walk to the new Wal-Mart near the Marina in Mazatlan--just 3.3 miles from Mar Rosa RV Park where we were staying, that should be about 10,000 steps. The weather was perfect for a walk--75 degrees F with a light breeze. So, we printed out the Google Map and started walking--13,000 steps later we finally reached it after two wrong turns that we won't make next time! The first mistake was that the map shows Av. Del Tiburón as a through street to the Marina Mazatlan road--Av. Del Tiburón is NOT a through street. So we got a good tour of a nice neighborhood on our way back to Av. Camarón Sábalo--that was an extra 1000 steps we won't take next time! 

     Then, we discovered the hard way that Google Maps has the new "Wal-Mart Marina" in the wrong position. After crossing the bridge over the Marina waterway, we had a pleasant, but long side trip through an upscale gated community on the new golf course along Paseo Del Palmar, around the back side of the new Liverpool Shopping Mall, and finally to the nice new Marina Wal-Mart. That was another extra 2000 steps!  The map below is my corrected version of the route we should have taken. After we had a refreshing, cold drink while sitting on a bench inside the air-conditioned store, we did our shopping and found this Wal-Mart to be well-stocked, clean,

Correct Route to Wal-Mart Marina Mazatlan

and low-key. We loaded our two bags of groceries into a taxi out in front of the store and were whisked the three miles back to Mar Rosa RV Park (near The Palms hotel) for the low fare of 70 pesos ( about $4.80 U.S.). It was a nice way to get our 10,000 steps for the day, but next time I think we'll ride our bikes. There are good sidewalks with few pedestrians the entire way to this growing community.

Macaws: The "Cheers" of Mazatlan

     We decided we had earned an evening out for dinner and listening to live music--we were too tired to cook after that adventure. So we caught the bus in front of the Mar Rosa RV Park and for 10 pesos (about 70 cents U.S.) each, we rode in air-conditioned comfort to the Historic District of Mazatlan. We walked the 6 or 7 blocks to Macaws to listen to the group "Wingin' It" with Lori Davidson, Rob Lamonica, Chris Henderson, and Ron Fantz. Macaws has been nicknamed the "Cheers" of Mazatlan, and I could see why when we sat down at a table in this cozy neighborhood open-air restaurant bar. We always enjoy Lori Davidson's music and make a point of seeing her perform each time we are in Mazatlan. Rob Lamonica on keyboard is a pleasure, too, and when the two of them play together, it is a real treat! We enjoyed the food, wine, service, and atmosphere at Macaws and look forward to returning. An added bonus to our evening--we made some new friends when a Canadian couple sat down next to us. We discovered that they were fun-loving fans of Lori Davidson who enjoyed clapping, cheering, and dancing to the music as much as we did. Another great day of "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico"!

     Read more about our adventures in the book for Kindles and Kindle Apps at this link:

 Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico eBook on Amazon.com

     

     Follow our adventures at:  www.HealthyLivingandTravelinginMexico.com 

SLEEP BENEFIT OF 15,477 STEPS YESTERDAY, SOUND OF THE WAVES ALL NIGHT

I WALKED 15,477 STEPS YESTERDAY!

I SLEPT LIKE A BABY....NO SLEEP MEDICATION NEEDED!

     So many people require a sleep aid medication in order to get a full night of restful sleep! During my years as a pharmacist, I dispensed thousands of prescriptions for sleep medication and sedatives to people who have trouble sleeping. For years, I have been one of those people--I would lie awake for hours with thoughts churning through my head before I would finally give up and give in to my little white sedative to help me relax and drift into sleep. 

     We all know that getting enough exercise during the day is proven to help with sleep at night. But, when we are too busy with work, chores, and finding time to eat, who has time for exercise! When life is go, go, go all day, no wonder our minds don't turn off at night so we can sleep restfully!

 

A Walk Down the Mazatlán Beach

   Last night I slept like a baby and didn't even think about taking one of my little white sedative pills to fall asleep! As you can see from my Fitbit pedometer report, I walked 15, 477 steps yesterday, and it was a normal day of "Healthy Living in Mexico!" Exercise definitely does contribute to good sleep! How did I manage to get that many steps in a normal day? I walked to Zumba class (1500 steps), I did Zumba for one hour (6000 steps), I walked home from Zumba (1500 steps), I walked with Jon and Bella (our dachshund) down the Mazatlán beach to the bank (2500 steps) and back home down the beach while we watched the sunset (2500 steps).  Add in a few short walks with Bella and normal life around the motorhome, and I walked over seven miles yesterday! 

     As I closed my eyes for sleep last night, I listened to the gentle rhythm of the waves outside my open window. The sound of the ocean relaxed my mind and very soon I drifted off to sleep. Since we have been living in Mazatlán for a week now, exercise and the sound of the ocean have become my sleep aids. That's "Healthy Living in Mexico"!

eBook for Kindle Now Available

Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico, the book for Kindles is now available on Amazon.com and Amazon Worldwide. "Look Inside" by clicking this link:

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MAZATLÁN: ZUMBA WITH PENNY IN THE MORNING, DANCING & SING-ALONG WITH DICK DAMRON IN THE EVENING

Penny Fuller Teaches Zumba Gold in Mazatlan

THAT'S HEALTHY LIVING IN MAZATLÁN !

     Jon and I started Monday morning with a lively hour of Zumba Gold with Penny Fuller. She teaches classes in the park at the corner of Atún and Mojarra Streets in Mazatlán's Golden Zone. Zumba Gold class starts at 8:30 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the high season. It felt so good to get back to Zumba Gold class! Our 
motto is "Attend Zumba Classes, Eat More Flan!" (Zumba burns enough calories so we can eat flan for dessert once or twice a week!)
   We just found out that if we can drag ourselves out of bed in time, we can attend Penny's Zumba Toning class that starts at 7:50 AM right before Zumba Gold. Penny's arms, shoulders, and back are very muscular, demonstrating the benefits of Zumba Toning. She is in remarkably good health, and teaching 2 classes a day at the age of 70+, she is a testament to the physical and mental health benefits of Zumba.

Dick Damron, Canadian Country Singer

      Monday evening, Jon and I went to La Catrina Restaurant for dinner and the Dick Damron performance at 7:00PM. La Catrina's is a fun bar and grill on the main boulevard through the Golden Zone, Avenida Camarón Sábalo. It is only a half mile from where we are staying at Mar Rosa RV Park, so we got a little more exercise walking to dinner. 
     Dick Damron is one of Canada's Country Music Legends, recognized in the International Country Music Hall of Fame.  He performs now and then in Mazatlan but it was our first time to see him, and we were impressed and entertained. At 80 years old, he has been around as a singer and song-writer for many years,  recorded over 25 albums and has received many awards.  He plays a lively guitar and harmonica and keeps the crowd on their feet dancing most of the evening. I especially enjoyed the sing-along when the entire crowd of Canadians and Americans joined him during a fun song called....what else:"MAZATLÁN!"

My eBook is Available

     With an hour of Zumba, a walk to La Catrina and back home again, and dancing to the music of Dick Damron, our Fitbit Pedometers reported that we exceeded our goal of 10,000 steps that day  BY QUITE A BIT! That's "Healthy Living in Mexico"!

     Read more about "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico" in my book now available on Amazon.com and Amazon Worldwide for Kindles, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets and phones, and Kindle apps for computers. Click this link to "Look Inside" the book: Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico Book on Amazon.com

PLAYA LAS GLORIAS CHANGED BY THE HURRICANES OF 2014!

Rubble Remains of a Beach Home

We Didn't Recognize this Beach Town!

     When we arrived in Playa Las Glorias for the New Year's holiday, we were shocked at the changes. The first thing that was wrong was that the paved boulevard that runs parallel to the beach had only one row of houses between it and the ocean. Just one year ago there had been two rows of houses and restaurants along the beach, with a dirt road between. But now the entire first row of buildings was destroyed! It looked like a bomb had gone off, smashing the roofs and walls of many one- and two-story houses, leaving piles of rubble where these vacation homes had been. It was extremely sad to see. We watched many Mexican families strolling along the beach, looking at the destruction, but no one was playing soccer or building sand castles here this year. It didn't seem proper to party or play in the midst of this gloom.

     The next thing we noticed was that the sand on the beach had been cut down

about four to five feet--where does all that sand go? Some of the houses that had been built on pillars were still standing, but the pillars told the story of how

The Level of the Sand is 5 Feet Lower!

much sand had been swept away by the hurricanes of 2014. The white paint, from the top of the pillar stopped where the sand had started in 2013! That's where the level of the beach started before the hurricanes, and was now washed away. The dirt road that ran behind this house was gone also--washed away by the high water and strong waves. 

     The final shock was when we arrived at Mr. Moro's RV Park and Hotel to find that it was closed! There was a banner hanging on the gate that said it was closed indefinitely. We had been staying in our motorhome at Mr. Moro's for over 10 years! We couldn't believe that it was closed. We drove back to the beginning of the paved boulevard and parked our motorhome. We got out and looked around, wondering where we could park for the night, feeling tired and dazed by this unexpected situation. A young man on a motorcycle stopped and suggested we stay in the parking lot of the Restaurant Palomas. Another nice local man stopped his pickup and told us we were welcome to park on his land. We thanked them both, reminded of how friendly the people are in Playa Las Glorias and the surrounding farmlands. 

Restaurant Palomas on Playa Las Glorias

     Restaurant Palomas turned out to be one of only two restaurants left standing in Playa Las Glorias. The owners were kind enough to allow us to spend the night in their parking lot near the ocean. It was so peaceful there with the sound of the waves breaking on the beach that we decided to stay for two nights. We were surprised that we didn't hear parties all night long. A short round of fireworks woke us briefly at midnight on New Year's, and then the party was over.

     We had lunch at the Restaurant Palomas on New Year"s Eve, a delicious meal of Coctel de Camarones (Giant Shrimp Cocktail) and Filete Pescado Empanizado (Fried Mahi Mahi filet). Ahhh....we were back in the real Mexico! 

     We were glad we stayed an extra day at Playa Las Glorias so we could walk the beach and watch the backhoes working on the cleanup, even on New Year's Eve. It left us with the feeling that this town will be restored in the near future.

"Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico", my book is now available on Amazon.com and Amazon worldwide.  View the book at this link:

Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico Book

ATHLETIC CLUB OF SAN CARLOS, POLLO ROSTICERIA, & LEY'S MARKET ON OUR BIKES--A FULL MORNING!

Athletic Club San Carlos

Bicycling to the Fitness Center to Work Out and Then to Do Our Shopping --That's Enough Exercise for One Day!

     Zumba class at the Athletic Club San Carlos starts at 9:30 in the morning--that's my favorite time of day for Zumba! The day after Christmas, Jon and I decided to ride our bikes the short distance from Totonaka RV Park to this fitness center--my odometer clocked it at less than half a mile. We were impressed that the club even had a bike rack out front, and we weren't the only ones using it! We liked this town and this club immediately. 

    Jon worked out in the well-equipped gym while I attended Zumba with Sandy. Manny Fit is the regular Zumba Instructor but he was on vacation that day. Sandy led an energetic, fun class and boy, did I feel it the next day!  After a month without Zumba, I was out of practice. I realized that I had been doing Zumba Gold for the previous few months, and Sandy's class was definitely higher intensity than that! I highly recommend Zumba at the Athletic Club San Carlos. They also have a swimming pool, aqua aerobics, spinning classes, yoga,  tennis, and other activities, all very impressive!

Barbecued Chicken and Baked Potatoes

     We needed a few groceries, so after we finished at the Athletic Club San Carlos, we hopped on our bikes and rode a mile to the Ley Supermarket. After we loaded our bikes with the milk, produce, and a few other necessities, we were too hungry to make ourselves lunch. We decided to ride another half mile to the Rosticeria Pollo Lopez. It was 11:30 AM and the first batch of barbecued chicken was ready to come off the rotisserie. The potatoes and onions had been bathed in the chicken drippings while they baked in the bottom on the oven--they were golden brown and looked delicious! The chicken looked and smelled so good that we were salivating while we waited our turn to order. By then we were so hungry that we ordered two chickens--one for lunch and one for the freezer!

     We could hardly wait to get those chickens loaded on our bikes and get home to chow down. Who knew that two chicken dinners and a few groceries could be so heavy! By the time we arrived back at the motorhome, we were tired and hungry. My bicycle odometer said we had only ridden four miles, but loaded down and riding uphill to Totonaka RV Park, it was a good workout. We dumped our bags of groceries in the motorhome, sat down at our picnic table outside and devoured our chicken and potatoes! It tasted as good as it looked and smelled! We had really worked up an appetite that morning. Time to relax in our chairs in the warm sunshine and read our Kindles... That's healthy living in Mexico!

Read more about our adventures and Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico. My book is now available at Amazon.com worldwide. Click on the link below to "Look Inside" :

Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico Book