Loose Ends

A smidge over two months ago the Yelapa Memo blog was created. Since then, you all logged over 700 visits. I am humbled and indeed appreciative. In those twelve postings I spoke about: nature and kayaking, food and frolic, local culture and ritual, embracing a new and varied point of view, and even gun control. Apart from the multiple massacres associated with the latter, it has been a good two months. I look forward to discovering and illuminating more issues during the coming year. I desire your help in expanding the blog readership. Every week when the posting is completed, I throw a note onto my FB. If each of you would click on “share”  located below that note, then my posting will appear on your FB as well and be forwarded to all of your friends. My goal is to push the 1000 visits/month figure. Together we can do this.

Before heading into the unchartered waters of 2013, one topic requires an update. Regarding the posting under Yelapa Health Care, I can now add that I personally sought and received care at our local clinic. Without engaging in unnecessary details, let’s just say that I was bitten several times during the night by one of two highly venomous spiders (black widow or brown recluse). The next morning my right hand resembled a catcher’s mitt and my ears could have independently auditioned for the remake of Dumbo. I reacted in the manner that every male would and decided to postpone seeking medical assistance for twenty-four hours. In this case, it was the wrong decision. The following morning, off to the clinic I go. I spent twenty minutes with Dr. Cesar Rodriguez watching him attempt to mask the shock in his face.  An IV was started and I received the first of three anti-venoms required to combat the bite. Since our local clinic did not possess the additional two, I was instructed to depart for Puerto Vallarta as soon as possible and report to the Regional Hospital for additional treatment. Cost to me at the Yelapa Clinic = 0.  We arrived at the hospital, effectively a county hospital, and over the ensuing nine hours (on Diana’s Birthday) I was attached to another IV and the remaining anti-venoms were administered. At 1:00 a.m. I was released. Cost to me at the Regional Hospital = 200 pesos ($16 USD). I continue to mend thanks to the professionalism of those with whom I came in contact that day. Gracias a todos.

A possible topic for future exploration might be the visitation of friends. Diana and I were delighted to host Karen and Steve Rubin. We shared our local waterfall, enjoyed an amazing lunch at Ray’s Shambhala, chatted extensively and then escorted them to their departing water taxi. All this with two people we had never met. The Rubins, who reside in Asheville, NC; are friends of my brother and his wife. A visit to Yelapa was arranged during an annual trip to their timeshare in North Vallarta. We look forward to their return.   

Without intentionally structuring this post as a set of wishes for the new year, I have inadvertently identified two of the most important issues one could seek: good health and cherished friends. My wish and challenge to you all  in 2013 is simply this:  1) add an event to your routine which is health based, and 2) commit to making at least one new friend. Perhaps, just perhaps you’ll be as “charmed” as we were with Steve and Karen Rubin. Feliz Ano Nuevo

Commercial Break

Memo’s Kayaks will be available daily throughout the remainder of the holidays. Groups of eight can be accommodated comfortably. Be sure to call first regarding availability. Just ponder how peaceful our world might be if everyone started the day off with a ride on Memo’s Yaks.