Carroll and I ordered glasses in Mx about two weeks ago and, in Mexican fashion, we were promised that it would take 7 or 10 days ( and they would call us when nthey were in ) because our glasses had to come from .... you guessed it; from Phoenix. The reason being that we wanted anti-glare and they don't do it in Algodonnes, MX. If you don't need or want anti-glare it only takes 2 1/2 hours to make your glasses.
After 10 days with no phone call , we called them and of course no glasses yet but they should be in by tomorrow ( Manama ) , which means maybe tomorrow. I do not think that Mexicans have the capacity to live on a definite schedule so it was no surprise that the glasses would not be delivered on time.
At 9 AM today we called to see if our glasses were in and " Eureka " the glasses had arrived so off we go to pick them up. As it turns out, the weather is " shitty " as it is windy, cool and looks like rain so we have to wear a sweater and Jeans.
I should explain that the Optometrist company is called Meyers and they have 3 shops run by 3 brothers. I assume each brother runs a shop but the business is co-mingled. They Lenses are ground in another shop somewhere close by the office we went to, hence the reason they can be done in 2 1/2 hours.
When we arrived at the office, they were busy with other customers but the clerk notice us and reaffirmed that our glasses where in. The doctor is a funny character and often jokes with the customers. When we ordered the glasses he ask Carroll if I was her husband and she said yes , for 53 years. He says , why would stay with him for that long?. So now I owe him one . As he was explaining to the customer that his glasses would be ready in 2 1/2 hours, I said don't believe him, I have been waiting for 2 weeks for mine. The customer had a shocked look on his face and the doctor explained why my glasses took 2 weeks. Finally we got our glasses fitted an the cost for both pair was 660.00.
Now I had to return to the Dentist as I felt that my bridge was not quite right. The dentist checked the bite and did a touch up so it now feels great.
Carroll now feels, in the shopping mood and she just remembered that she needed (another) table cloth from MX. The shop we picked is run by a Mother and an adult son. The Mother understand English but doesn't speak it well but the son is fluent in English. After we pick out the table cloth , the son says it cost 50.00 so I pretend I'm unset so I walk away and he comes after me and says he will do better. Carroll offers 20.00 and the Mother ( who can not speak English ) says No No, give me 30.00. Carroll counters at 25.00, and says it is my best offer but Mom says No. I take 25.00 out of my wallet and I say , do you want it or not. The son takes the money but Mom is not happy. Carroll is happy.
We then went to a restaurant and had lunch before picking up a pound of fresh Shrimp for 10.00 before we lined up for an hour to get thru customs. Another successful trip to MC. Cheers
Friday, 11 March 2016
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Another Sand Storm
Before I get to the Sand storm I want to mention a restaurant which I feel serves the best lunch menu I have ever had. The name is Kneaders and it serves Sandwiches , Soups and Deserts. If you order Soup, beware that it is unlikely that you could eat a whole sandwich. They serve several soups and they have 5 or 6 different breads ( all great ) along with 5 or 6 different sandwiches. Their deserts are pricey but huge. We have never had room for a desert so I can only tell want our table mates have said. As you may know that bread in the US does not meet our CDN standard, so when we are near a Kneaders restaurant we buy the ends. They never serve the 3 slices from each end however, they bag the ends and sell them for 4.00 for a large bag. We feast on those ends if we can get them. Enough about the advertisement.
6 March
On Sunday we visited our friends Cam and Joanne Asher from Winnipeg. Cam and I were in the same trade in the Military and we served in Comox for about 3 years and we have been friends ever since. They are camped at Welton, Az, a small town 20 miles east of Yuma. They are heading north on Monday so we wanted to say goodbye.
While sitting outside their MH draining a beer Cam mentioned that a Wind Storm was predicted to arrive around 3 PM and man was he correct. Near 3 PM the west wind was so strong that we had to move inside. Then on the way home, heading west, into the teeth of this high wind we could see the sand being whipped up and that storm lasted until late evening. Since we left our widows open in our MH we had a light dusting of sand in ever nook and cranny throughout the MH. Carroll now had a reason to dust. This is the third dust storm since we arrived in early January. The wind brought quite a bit of sand with it to the point where our swimming was closed on Monday so the maintenance staff could clean the pool and the filters.
After the high winds subsided we then had a cold front move in on Sunday and Monday which brought with it another round of high winds. When I use the word "cold front " I mean high 50's and low 60's F. Anyway, we will suffer thru until Monday when we leave Yuma and head north. cheers
6 March
On Sunday we visited our friends Cam and Joanne Asher from Winnipeg. Cam and I were in the same trade in the Military and we served in Comox for about 3 years and we have been friends ever since. They are camped at Welton, Az, a small town 20 miles east of Yuma. They are heading north on Monday so we wanted to say goodbye.
While sitting outside their MH draining a beer Cam mentioned that a Wind Storm was predicted to arrive around 3 PM and man was he correct. Near 3 PM the west wind was so strong that we had to move inside. Then on the way home, heading west, into the teeth of this high wind we could see the sand being whipped up and that storm lasted until late evening. Since we left our widows open in our MH we had a light dusting of sand in ever nook and cranny throughout the MH. Carroll now had a reason to dust. This is the third dust storm since we arrived in early January. The wind brought quite a bit of sand with it to the point where our swimming was closed on Monday so the maintenance staff could clean the pool and the filters.
After the high winds subsided we then had a cold front move in on Sunday and Monday which brought with it another round of high winds. When I use the word "cold front " I mean high 50's and low 60's F. Anyway, we will suffer thru until Monday when we leave Yuma and head north. cheers
Military Tattoo
Our friends Vince and Lynda advised us that the Marines were putting on a Tattoo tonight at the football field at the local High School and invited us to join then along with other friends , Barb and dick from Minnesota. This Tattoo consisted of a huge compliment of a Marching Band and a Precision Drill team. The Marching Band put on a fabulous performance for about 25 minute and it is amazing how those guys can carry a Tuba around for that long.
Then the Band "Stood Down " while the Precision Drill Team Marched on to the field. For those who have never experience a Precision of a Drill Team; it means that a Platoon of usually 30 soldier will perform 15 minute of Marching and Rifle drill that almost looks mechanical. To complete the final maneuver, the Platoon leader, who is without a rifle, marches in front of the Platoon and one of the soldiers flips his rifle , airborne to the Platoon Leader. The Platoon Leader then marches one step to the next soldier and they perform several maneuvers by flipping their rifles back and forth to each other. The final maneuver was when the Platoon Leader flips the "borrowed " rifle back to the soldier where it came. This has to be a very precise maneuver because the receiving soldier can not move except to reach with his hand to receiver the rifle.
To end the show the Color Party marches on the field with the American flag and the Marine flag while the band plays the National Anthem. Then the Precision Team and the Band do a March Past and two retired Marine Sergeants receiver the Salute.
After the show is over all the Band and Drill team members are available on the football field to talk to the spectators. I actual heard one soldier from the Drill team say that they practice 7 hours the day before the performance. This show is nothing short of fantastic. WOW.
To complete the evening , we returned to Barb and Dick's home for coffee and pie.
Cheers
Then the Band "Stood Down " while the Precision Drill Team Marched on to the field. For those who have never experience a Precision of a Drill Team; it means that a Platoon of usually 30 soldier will perform 15 minute of Marching and Rifle drill that almost looks mechanical. To complete the final maneuver, the Platoon leader, who is without a rifle, marches in front of the Platoon and one of the soldiers flips his rifle , airborne to the Platoon Leader. The Platoon Leader then marches one step to the next soldier and they perform several maneuvers by flipping their rifles back and forth to each other. The final maneuver was when the Platoon Leader flips the "borrowed " rifle back to the soldier where it came. This has to be a very precise maneuver because the receiving soldier can not move except to reach with his hand to receiver the rifle.
To end the show the Color Party marches on the field with the American flag and the Marine flag while the band plays the National Anthem. Then the Precision Team and the Band do a March Past and two retired Marine Sergeants receiver the Salute.
After the show is over all the Band and Drill team members are available on the football field to talk to the spectators. I actual heard one soldier from the Drill team say that they practice 7 hours the day before the performance. This show is nothing short of fantastic. WOW.
To complete the evening , we returned to Barb and Dick's home for coffee and pie.
Cheers
Travel Insurance
2 March
Today we were not too busy, in fact we were trying to think of something to do. Carroll suggested we visit out long time Travel friends , Otto and Edna who we met in MX several years ago and have stayed in close contact ever since. They are from Armstrong, BC and are in an RV Park a few miles away. I open the computer to see if they were on Skype and if so I would call them to see if they were around. Unfortunately the msg read that Otto slipped and hurt his back and had to fly home.
We were shocked and actually thought the msg meant he was going to fly home and have his MH returned by the Insurance company so we immediately drove over to their Park. However, we learned that they had flew home on Monday as requested by the Medical Insurance company.
Apparently Otto's injury was to a vertebra or two and of course the Insurance company insisted he return to BC where the cost would be on BC Health Care not on theirs. Hopefully the cost to return his MH is covered by his Travel Insurance.
We all have extra but over priced Travel Insurance but we never know for such if we are covered. We have been told that once you need your Travel Insurance the company goes thru you medical history and if you forgot to tell them about some medical history from years ago they can and will disqualify your claim. We did hear of a couple who were saddled with a bill for 140,000.00 do to misunderstanding on the application.
Otto has advised us that his back will heal in Time and he does not require surgery. cheers
Today we were not too busy, in fact we were trying to think of something to do. Carroll suggested we visit out long time Travel friends , Otto and Edna who we met in MX several years ago and have stayed in close contact ever since. They are from Armstrong, BC and are in an RV Park a few miles away. I open the computer to see if they were on Skype and if so I would call them to see if they were around. Unfortunately the msg read that Otto slipped and hurt his back and had to fly home.
We were shocked and actually thought the msg meant he was going to fly home and have his MH returned by the Insurance company so we immediately drove over to their Park. However, we learned that they had flew home on Monday as requested by the Medical Insurance company.
Apparently Otto's injury was to a vertebra or two and of course the Insurance company insisted he return to BC where the cost would be on BC Health Care not on theirs. Hopefully the cost to return his MH is covered by his Travel Insurance.
We all have extra but over priced Travel Insurance but we never know for such if we are covered. We have been told that once you need your Travel Insurance the company goes thru you medical history and if you forgot to tell them about some medical history from years ago they can and will disqualify your claim. We did hear of a couple who were saddled with a bill for 140,000.00 do to misunderstanding on the application.
Otto has advised us that his back will heal in Time and he does not require surgery. cheers
Monday, 7 March 2016
Visit with Friends
1 March
Today we dropped in to visit with Jimmie and Marion as they are heading home to Belmont, ON albeit, that they are taking a month to get there. I have known Jimmie since I was a kid as he is slightly older than me. Jim and Marion have wintered in Yuma for many years and we only realized that they were in Yuma about 5 years ago.
It is always nice to speak with people from home and to catch up things happen where we grew up. I actually went to High School with Jimmie's younger brother. I did not realize Marion's maiden name and it is only from these visit that I realize I knew her parents and other relatives. Small world. We wish them a safe journey home. Cheers
Today we dropped in to visit with Jimmie and Marion as they are heading home to Belmont, ON albeit, that they are taking a month to get there. I have known Jimmie since I was a kid as he is slightly older than me. Jim and Marion have wintered in Yuma for many years and we only realized that they were in Yuma about 5 years ago.
It is always nice to speak with people from home and to catch up things happen where we grew up. I actually went to High School with Jimmie's younger brother. I did not realize Marion's maiden name and it is only from these visit that I realize I knew her parents and other relatives. Small world. We wish them a safe journey home. Cheers
Can_AM Days
29 th Feb
Can-AM days is a joint sports day for Cdns and Americans and not a competition between nations but a mixture on each teams. The sports are Shuffle, Horseshoes, Cribbage (non body contact ), Curling and Bean Bag. The teams are not chosen by ability but by an interest in the sport , hence not all players understand the games or rules such as curling. I participated in Curling and we finished second to a team skipped by a Cdn fireman from Shilo, MB. Our team had a handicap because our "Second" did not have a clue and fail to delivery the rock as I instructed her and none of her Rocks made it to the House. One other handicap was that each player had to drink a shot of "Canadian Mist " after each game. After playing 4 games during an afternoon in 90 F heat, this may have affected some of the players ability. I opted out of the "Canadian Mist " drinking as I was on Medical from my Dental work.
After all Sports Days there has to be a "windup " party ( banquet ) and this was no different. The party also had Amateur entertainment by the talented people from the park. I was amazed at the quality of talent we have in the park. The talent show was all " LipSinging " and most of them where great. We had Willie Nelson, Everly Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, Geo Jones ( and he even looked like him in real life ) and several others that I can remember the Singers names.
This party was organized by our friends Lynda and Vince Ziglo with many volunteers to assist. Everyone involved deserves a great deal of credit for putting on this Sports Day and the Party. I know that we Carroll and I had a good time. cheers
Can-AM days is a joint sports day for Cdns and Americans and not a competition between nations but a mixture on each teams. The sports are Shuffle, Horseshoes, Cribbage (non body contact ), Curling and Bean Bag. The teams are not chosen by ability but by an interest in the sport , hence not all players understand the games or rules such as curling. I participated in Curling and we finished second to a team skipped by a Cdn fireman from Shilo, MB. Our team had a handicap because our "Second" did not have a clue and fail to delivery the rock as I instructed her and none of her Rocks made it to the House. One other handicap was that each player had to drink a shot of "Canadian Mist " after each game. After playing 4 games during an afternoon in 90 F heat, this may have affected some of the players ability. I opted out of the "Canadian Mist " drinking as I was on Medical from my Dental work.
After all Sports Days there has to be a "windup " party ( banquet ) and this was no different. The party also had Amateur entertainment by the talented people from the park. I was amazed at the quality of talent we have in the park. The talent show was all " LipSinging " and most of them where great. We had Willie Nelson, Everly Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, Geo Jones ( and he even looked like him in real life ) and several others that I can remember the Singers names.
This party was organized by our friends Lynda and Vince Ziglo with many volunteers to assist. Everyone involved deserves a great deal of credit for putting on this Sports Day and the Party. I know that we Carroll and I had a good time. cheers
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Dental Work in Mexico
26 th Feb Friday
A few weeks ago I had my teeth cleaned in MX and I was advised that I needed some Dental work because I had some "Old " fillings that were leaking which had caused some cavities. I also have a "bridge" and it would have to be replaced. So I dug up the nerve to return to the Dentist is MX since I knew this work had to be done someday so I might as well face the music.
I have been going to the same Dentist for about 10 years so I feel quite comfortable with " Maria ". This was a husband and wife team but they have now added their daughter to the office and I'm sure the daughter does the majority of the work on a slow day.
We went to MX around 9:30 and I did not bother to make an appointment because I know their appointments are arranged around the number of "walk in " customers and appointments are seldom if ever on time. I arrived at the office around 10:00 AM.
Maria's office is located in a courtyard area surrounded by 5 other Dental offices, so it is a very busy courtyard area because these is were everyone and there spouse sit to wait their turn. Most dental waiting rooms will hold no more that 4 people so the courtyard is were you wait your turn and "chew the fat " with ( mostly interesting ) people you don't know but it helps to kill time. Most spouses get bored and leave their "partner" after a short time and go for a walk or mostly go shopping. This includes Carroll, however her boredom forced her to buy a purse and a wallet that she did not need.
The dental clerk said she could get me in shortly, which in Mexico terms means somewhere between 20 minutes and an hour. During our wait we drummed up a conversation with a couple from Las Vegas who come to MX for all their dental work. As an example, a Crown replacement in Yuma cost 1500.00 and in MX it 200.00. When I got into the Dental chair, Maria was my dentist which I liked because she has done all my dental work. She told me I would need two " root canals" and that she would need to arrange for a "Specialist " to do the work and he was not available until 3 PM.
I should tell you that Root Canals , in most dental offices are done by a Specialist, not by the Dentist and the Specialist only do the Root Canal not the preparatory work. Maria then prepared my two teeth for the root canals which included removing the bridge. Then she prepared another tooth for a Crown. In the mean time Carroll returned to check on me and I told her to go for lunch as the root Canal was not schedule until 3 PM. She told me which restaurant was going to so that is where I could find her later. Once my teeth were prepared Maria told me to take a break and to return at 2:45 to get ready for the Specialist. Since I knew which restaurant Carroll was going to I went there; but no Carroll, so now I have to check on several restaurants in a two block area. I found her at our favorite "haunt" which is the Taco stand where they serve Shrimp Tacos for 1.50 and beer cost a dollar. You gotta love Mexico.
After Carroll finished her lunch ( I did not feel like eating ) we meandered back to the dental courtyard to wait on the Specialist for my 3 PM appointment. Maria then called me in so they could do the Impressions for the Crowns and the Bridge. Then back out to the courtyard to wait.
While sitting the courtyard you can see the " Specialist" moving from office to office. Usually, a dental assistant will arrive 5 or 10 minutes before the Doctor and she will be pulling a small suit case with all the tools and she sets up the tools and gets you prepared. When the doctor arrives, they usually speak fluent English and they always introduce themselves and their assistant. After freezing half of my face , he goes right to work and both teeth where done in about 1/2 an hour. The doctor then does an x-ray to ensure that all is well and he then shake hands and leaves. Incidentally, Root Canals cost 300.00. It is now about 5 PM and I am done until tomorrow when I have an appointment for 11 AM tomorrow to install the bridge and the Crowns.
During the afternoon we noticed a long lineup of about 1 1/2 hour returning to the USA but by 5 PM the lineup was gone and we walked right thru until Carroll got to the customs officer. He says , this is your luckily day as you have been chosen by the computer to be further checked, No reason given. So she was ushered to another office where she had to wait in line with other " convicts" ha ha. One gentleman waiting with me ask a Custom Office if his wife would be leaving out our exit door or the back door. He reply " if she goes out the back door she will be in hand cuffs ". We all laughed, but the custom officer did not. When Carroll got to the Officer he said I don't know why you are here so you are free to go.
26 th Feb Saturday
We arrived about 10:30 AM, foolishly thinking that I might get in early but I don't think my Crowns and Bridge had arrived so again I was parked in the courtyard. Carroll brought a pair of my "good " shoes that really need a polish so she took them to the local Square where all the Shoeshine boys/men ply their services. She also want to buy some Asparagus which they sell on the street corner besides it helps to kill time for her. While sitting in the courtyard waiting on my Crowns I was speaking with a guy from Minnesota, whose wife was having Mega work on her teeth as she grinds her teeth and has worn them down. He said the estimate at home was 22,000.00 and Maria was doing it for 2600.00.
Finally my Crowns and Bridge arrived and it probably took and hour to install the them. The Bridge took a little grinding to fit properly so it was sent back to the factory ( down the street ) to be re-polished . The dental offices have Runners , much like our Couriers on Bicycles to deliver the impressions and to pickup the Crowns etc.
The cost for the 3 Crowns, a Bridge and two root Canals cost 1600.00. I think and hope that my insurance will cover 50 % of the cost. I'll let you equate that to a cost if I had it done in Canada. cheers
A few weeks ago I had my teeth cleaned in MX and I was advised that I needed some Dental work because I had some "Old " fillings that were leaking which had caused some cavities. I also have a "bridge" and it would have to be replaced. So I dug up the nerve to return to the Dentist is MX since I knew this work had to be done someday so I might as well face the music.
I have been going to the same Dentist for about 10 years so I feel quite comfortable with " Maria ". This was a husband and wife team but they have now added their daughter to the office and I'm sure the daughter does the majority of the work on a slow day.
We went to MX around 9:30 and I did not bother to make an appointment because I know their appointments are arranged around the number of "walk in " customers and appointments are seldom if ever on time. I arrived at the office around 10:00 AM.
Maria's office is located in a courtyard area surrounded by 5 other Dental offices, so it is a very busy courtyard area because these is were everyone and there spouse sit to wait their turn. Most dental waiting rooms will hold no more that 4 people so the courtyard is were you wait your turn and "chew the fat " with ( mostly interesting ) people you don't know but it helps to kill time. Most spouses get bored and leave their "partner" after a short time and go for a walk or mostly go shopping. This includes Carroll, however her boredom forced her to buy a purse and a wallet that she did not need.
The dental clerk said she could get me in shortly, which in Mexico terms means somewhere between 20 minutes and an hour. During our wait we drummed up a conversation with a couple from Las Vegas who come to MX for all their dental work. As an example, a Crown replacement in Yuma cost 1500.00 and in MX it 200.00. When I got into the Dental chair, Maria was my dentist which I liked because she has done all my dental work. She told me I would need two " root canals" and that she would need to arrange for a "Specialist " to do the work and he was not available until 3 PM.
I should tell you that Root Canals , in most dental offices are done by a Specialist, not by the Dentist and the Specialist only do the Root Canal not the preparatory work. Maria then prepared my two teeth for the root canals which included removing the bridge. Then she prepared another tooth for a Crown. In the mean time Carroll returned to check on me and I told her to go for lunch as the root Canal was not schedule until 3 PM. She told me which restaurant was going to so that is where I could find her later. Once my teeth were prepared Maria told me to take a break and to return at 2:45 to get ready for the Specialist. Since I knew which restaurant Carroll was going to I went there; but no Carroll, so now I have to check on several restaurants in a two block area. I found her at our favorite "haunt" which is the Taco stand where they serve Shrimp Tacos for 1.50 and beer cost a dollar. You gotta love Mexico.
After Carroll finished her lunch ( I did not feel like eating ) we meandered back to the dental courtyard to wait on the Specialist for my 3 PM appointment. Maria then called me in so they could do the Impressions for the Crowns and the Bridge. Then back out to the courtyard to wait.
While sitting the courtyard you can see the " Specialist" moving from office to office. Usually, a dental assistant will arrive 5 or 10 minutes before the Doctor and she will be pulling a small suit case with all the tools and she sets up the tools and gets you prepared. When the doctor arrives, they usually speak fluent English and they always introduce themselves and their assistant. After freezing half of my face , he goes right to work and both teeth where done in about 1/2 an hour. The doctor then does an x-ray to ensure that all is well and he then shake hands and leaves. Incidentally, Root Canals cost 300.00. It is now about 5 PM and I am done until tomorrow when I have an appointment for 11 AM tomorrow to install the bridge and the Crowns.
During the afternoon we noticed a long lineup of about 1 1/2 hour returning to the USA but by 5 PM the lineup was gone and we walked right thru until Carroll got to the customs officer. He says , this is your luckily day as you have been chosen by the computer to be further checked, No reason given. So she was ushered to another office where she had to wait in line with other " convicts" ha ha. One gentleman waiting with me ask a Custom Office if his wife would be leaving out our exit door or the back door. He reply " if she goes out the back door she will be in hand cuffs ". We all laughed, but the custom officer did not. When Carroll got to the Officer he said I don't know why you are here so you are free to go.
26 th Feb Saturday
We arrived about 10:30 AM, foolishly thinking that I might get in early but I don't think my Crowns and Bridge had arrived so again I was parked in the courtyard. Carroll brought a pair of my "good " shoes that really need a polish so she took them to the local Square where all the Shoeshine boys/men ply their services. She also want to buy some Asparagus which they sell on the street corner besides it helps to kill time for her. While sitting in the courtyard waiting on my Crowns I was speaking with a guy from Minnesota, whose wife was having Mega work on her teeth as she grinds her teeth and has worn them down. He said the estimate at home was 22,000.00 and Maria was doing it for 2600.00.
Finally my Crowns and Bridge arrived and it probably took and hour to install the them. The Bridge took a little grinding to fit properly so it was sent back to the factory ( down the street ) to be re-polished . The dental offices have Runners , much like our Couriers on Bicycles to deliver the impressions and to pickup the Crowns etc.
The cost for the 3 Crowns, a Bridge and two root Canals cost 1600.00. I think and hope that my insurance will cover 50 % of the cost. I'll let you equate that to a cost if I had it done in Canada. cheers
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