Mexican Dental Care

This is going to be a multi-blog weekend. I can see it coming. We have so much going on in the next few days and it is always fun to share the good, the bad & the interesting with all our friends.
Today's topic is Mexican dental care. I broke a crown several months ago in Tenacatita (honest, Mom, I was only eating Cheetos...the puffy kind!) so I needed to get that replaced. In addition, I have two teeth that have begun to let me know they are there. In La Paz I went to a dentist but we weren't going to be there long enough to get any work done beyond cleaning so I still needed to get this taken care of before we leave Mexico. After all, who can afford dental in the States?? Even with insurance it is phenomenally expensive. Last Friday evening we were hanging out with Chris' friends from Tucson Sailing Club and Stu mentioned that he'd just had 3 root canals done that day by a great dentist in San Carlos. He was in the chair for 3 hours and that evening was feeling great...an endorsement I could appreciate. So, Monday morning, on our way to Guaymas we stopped to see if I could get an appt and was told to be back that afternoon. Whoa! Well, OK. I was prepared for the old x-ray/evaluation deal with another appointment so imagine my shock when Dr. Martinez did the exam, said I needed 2 root canals (jeez I hate getting old) and did the first one right then! He gave me a prescription for antibiotics as I had a slight infection beginning and some pain pills and told me to return on Thursday. Yesterday he did the 2nd root canal, did some more prep on the 1st one, removed the broken crown, did impressions, and told me he is there 24 hrs a day so if I have ANY problems to come back any time. Oh...and did I mention that he is drop dead gorgeous???? Can you say Fabio look alike?? Another nice touch is that he stops working frequently so you can relax your jaw while he massages it. Yesterday he worked on me for 2-1/2 hours and in the middle he took a break and had a masseuse come in to apply hot & cold packs and massage my face & jaw. Wonderful! I have had zero pain or problems but today Chris & I were hard at work on the boat when who should come walking down the dock to check on me but Dr. Martinez! OK...I ask you...when was the last time your American dentist made a house call to check on how you are doing?? I suspect your answer will be the same as mine - NEVER! I'm betting your next question is "How much is this all costing?". Well, it is $1600 U.S. Considerably less than two root canals and 3 crowns would cost in the States. Oh...and did I mention that he is lovely to look at????

Summer Break

I can hardly believe how fast this past 9 months has flown by! What an incredible experience it has been to actually be "living the dream" I have had for so many years. We have seen places as diverse as busy, "Americanized" Mazatlan to the pristine uninhabited island anchorage of Cardenal on Isla Partida where we were the only boat there. We have snorkeled and swum in crystal clear emerald green water where you can see bottom at 30', searched for shells on white sand beaches, had lunch under thatched roof palapas with our feet in the sand, climbed a mountain to see the "view from the top", sailed in cobalt seas with whales and rays playing around us and had too many wonderful experiences to name. And the best part has been the wonderful people we have met along the way. Cruisers are an amazing tight-knit community of people from all walks of life who share the trials, tribulations and magic of a lifestyle others only dream of. A large number of the cruisers in Mexico are from the Pacific NW and Canada but we've also met some from Australia, New Zealand, South America and lots of other places. Now we are in San Carlos and preparing to put "Faith" to bed for the summer and saying good bye to some of our new friends. It feels rather like the end of the school year. Some we will see next year and some won't be back. Some have already gone on to new destinations and others will be making longer journeys next season. We are looking forward to seeing friends & family at home and then heading off to cruise the South Pacific for 3 months. And we'll be back next fall for another great season of exploring Mexico, renewing friendships and meeting new people.

Birthday Surprises

Wow! What a birthday! Last year I saw the big 6-0 pass by and my friends and relatives celebrated by throwing a big party for me. This year was a different celebration entirely. It was a bit surreal to be birthday-ing in Mexico but I managed to get used to the idea. Patty got a room in a hotel for a couple nights to give Chris & I some time alone as well as springing for me to get a manicure and pedicure (a luxury I have not had since San Francisco). Chris had been telling me for days that he wanted to go “shopping” for my birthday but was mumm about what he wanted to purchase. I rarely shop anymore as living on a boat means there is not much room to put “things” and clothing is limited to swimsuits, shorts and the occasional sundress. Finally, over lunch at Rancho Viejo (which has world class Arrachara beef tacos) he spilled the beans and said he’d been planning to buy me some jewelry…however…he was re-thinking that and wanted to know my feeling about the options. Our friends, Dietmar & Suzanne, sailed their 44’ catamaran to the Marquesas this year and had just emailed to invite us to join them in Tahiti for 3 months of sailing the South Pacific islands with them. How would I feel about him paying for my airfare for that trip instead of buying something sparkly? I couldn’t say yes fast enough! So…July 21^st we fly to Papeete for the next great adventure. We are very excited. I have always wanted to sail in the South Pacific so this opportunity is like a dream come true. And when we come back…we have another season of cruising Mexico to look forward to. Life is very good these days!