A few weeks ago I was watching the evening news and there was a story on about the protest of a group local campesinos against the quantity and availability of foreign cars in Querétaro. I couldn’t understand the problem; the foreign plated cars we have seen (mostly on the highway) are few and far between, besides, it is difficult to “import” a car into Mexico. You need a tourist card, legal posession (if the car is financed, you need permission from the lein company – in writing), registration; TONS of paper. Then you get a hologram and stick it to the window. You are NOT ALLOWED to remove the sticker. When you leave the country an official must do that for you. Though, when we were in La Paz, getting ready to take the ferry and the Aduana noted that our vehicle permit was lacking the trailer, they had no problem with me removing the sticker and selling me a new one. Hmmm… Then we started venturing into the countryside and found Dolores Hidalgo. In Dolores, almost each and every vehicle is from Texas. Illegaly, but plated from Texas. It is simply amazing! I know they aren’t all Texans, and although many from Guanajuato (in comparision to other states) live and work in the US, all those cars are not legally from TExas. So we then understood the problem.
We are again in Dolores. It is Jamie’s barthday (Yippee!) and as a present, we’re staying at the 
hotel and he gets to watch Live Tour Coverage Each and Every Day til the final. Unfortunately, we’re all sick. The kids got sick about 10 days ago (Sissy, Pike and Ellen) and we’ve finally figured out what it is. We’re being treated for parasites (sounds worse than it is). While the health care is good and really cheap (50 pesos for a doctor visit at a clinic here in Dolores, though I paid 120 in Santa Rosa and we paid 600 for a house call in Paa Mul) some of the leg work is trying.
We checked into the hotel Monday night (hazily trying to remember) so Jamie could watch the live coverage at 8:30am. You silly geese. He wasn’t looking for live Hurrican Emily coverage, he was looking for live TOUR coverage. Le Tour. Or, as some call it, the Lance-A-Thon. Honestly, I have never liked the man. Ever since he came into the sport after being such a great little (i.e. young) triathete, I don’t know why, I just never liked him. Liked him even less after divorcing (seperating?) from Kristin. Scumbag. I don’t like the way he saves up all year and rides only the Tour and dabbles in (but really doesn’t RIDE) other races. It almost doesn’t seem fair. After Frankie retired (he did retire, didn’t he? I’ve been out of the cycling loop for a while) I saved my cheers for Hincapie. I think my favorite was the poor Pirate. What a sad end for the Pirate. Now that everyone who isn’t an avid pro cyclist worshiper is thoroughly confused (have you all NOT been drinking your coffee?), I’ll veer back into Mexico…
That morning, while others were breakfasting (today has been the first day I’ve been able to 
eat) I started looking for a doctor. I started with the hotel clerk who opened the phone book and I immediately said no, that I’d check at a pharmacy. Guess he’s never been. 
First pharmacy has a doc that works it and could consult, but he would only be in in the afternoon, but they directed me to the pharmacy that the doc was currently at. Off to that one, but before I got there I found another pharmacy and they were very happy to prescribe as many antibiotics as I would like, but I really wanted to find out what specifically was wrong. Luckilly, they partnered with a local clinic, so off I headed to collect the breakfasters and thenoff to the clinic. We were immediately seen; no wait; and I took the sickest two in (Sissy and Jesse) to see the doctor. I gave a long history and he agreed with not treating immediately, but testing to see what bug was bugging them (and us) and treating it with the proper medication instead of hitting it with 3rd generation abx. Back to the hotel we trouped and tried to get samples. You know, THOSE samples. Jesse didn’t think it would be possible, so when Sissy was able to comply, off I headed to the lab with the sample. Back to the hotel, back to the lab with Jesse’s sample. The clinic has its own lab, so I used it, thinking communication between the lab and doctor would be easier. You’d sure THINK so, wouldn’t you? I mean wouldn’t that be logical? Lab says 2-3 hours. Back to the lab (luckilly, lab/clinic are only about 4 blocks from the hotel) and wait; no results but they should be ready in 20 minutes, but for the doubt, give it an hour. Back to the hotel and try to nap; back to the lab/clinic and now it is 7pm and the clinic is BUSY (with everyone off work). So Ellen and I wait (cause she simply HAD to come) and while we’re waiting the rain begins. Sheets of pouring rain. We wait. Rain, thunder, lightening. We wait. LAB work is IN! We immediately see a doctor and the electricity goes out. Ellen SCREAMS in the dark and the doctor RUNS to get a lantern. As soon as he’s back with the lantern, lights are back on.
Doctor prescribes something or other and wouldn’t you know it – the lab/clinic also is a pharmacy!!! Doctor says to give me 30% off the medicine price and the receptionist/cashier is not the least bit happy. Dunno why. So, for 2 labs, 2 doctor consultations and numerous medicines (bacillus in liquid form, anti-spasmotic for child and adult for pain, anti-parasite medicine for child and adult) we were charged about $40.
Back to the hotel in pouring rain Ellen and I headed and wading through the streets (cobblestone, each and every one) I was in water up to my knees. It was really raining. That night I was able to get free wireless and found some disturbing information about the anti-parasitic medicine we’d just taken. So… (you know where this is going), next morning I researched as much as I could and decided to head BACK to the clinic and talk to the original doc about changing medicines. He was very nice and we had a long talk about my concerns (he shared them) and we found a medicine (Flagyl) that we both felt comfortable with.
We’ve all had about 30 hours of treatment and the little bugs are beginning to dissapear from our collective guts; everyone minus Jamie is being treated. This evening, I’ve had the first pain-free time in over a week. The stomach cramping was constant and quite painful. Jamie, however, is not feeling well and tomorrow we’ll head back to the clinic (we all have to go, as I speak/translate) and see what is happening with him.
Hey, if you ever get sick in Guanajuato, medical care is cheap and good in Dolores Hidalgo. And if you’re from Texas, you’ll feel right at home.
Pictures to come when I have a chance…Pictures of the kids are at breakfast, having their cafe con leche. Yes. They get cafe con leche. Not every morning; it is a rare treat.
