Photos taken by my son, David Valdez

Here are two photos that my son, David Valdez, took while he was visiting with me over the Christmas holiday. He and his wife, Christine, flew in from Portland, Oregon where they had been shoveling snow for many days. The plants basking in the sunshine here were a treat for their eyes. He also took many photos of doors around Ajijic. I will post some of them tomorrow.

View from the end of my block

This is the view of the lake from the end of my block. The guide books say that the lake is low but the opposite is true this year. The lake is so high that there is no beach. When I was here a few months ago I could walk along the beach from my house to the Lake Chapala Society. That was several blocks. Now there is no way to get there except by the streets. I miss the beach. I hope it will come back again soon so I can walk with dogs along the water. Dogs love the water. It is a beautiful view along the water. Sometimes it feels like I am at the ocean because the lake is so large. If it is hazy then I can't see to the other side of the lake. I always want to live near water. It gives me a feeling of freedom. I don't like to be closed in. Large bodies of water represent freedom to me. I am also a swimmer. I brought down an inflatable kayak but haven't had the nerve to try it yet. I am waiting until my knee heals to do that. All things in their own time. I think this boat belongs to a Mexican fisherman.

Hot Springs

Yesterday I went to the hot springs with my daughter-in-law. She loved it. I did too except that I slipped and fell on my bad knee. Broke the skin and bled so I couldn't get into the extremely hot pools. But it was nice to swim again. I think my knee will be well soon if I make a few more trips out to the pool. They raised their prices again. Every couple of months it seems that they raise the entrance fee another ten pesos. It is now 140 pesos. The higher price hasn't slowed down the visitors. The place was crowded. I didn't see many North Americans or Canadians. But many Mexican families. They bring mounds of food for picnics. In the States that kind of activity wouldn't be allowed. You buy the food inside at the consessions. No bringing in your own food. But Mexico is different that way. When I was in San Blas I saw many families bring their picnics into the outside restaurants. No one complained about the lost business.
Another beautiful day in paradise. I will miss my family. They leave today for the States. It has been the best vacation of my life. I will be looking forward to their next visit.

Family Vacations

One of my concerns when I first came to Mexico was about my family. I have a son and daughter in law. I was afraid that I would never see them if I lived in Mexico. But the opposite has turned out to be true. I see them more than ever now that I am here. They love to come to Mexico.

They didn't like the town where I lived in the States and they rarely visited me there. Now they come here often. The airplane tickets aren't expensive and they can easily take the taxi from Guadalajara to the lake area. There is so much for them to do here. We have had a wonderful holiday together. The best we have ever had with each other. I add this benefit to my long list of benefits of moving to Mexico.

Doctors and hospitals in Mexico

I walked around with a bad knee for fourteen months. Partly because I have no health insurance and also because I hate to see doctors. I hate the way the doctors in the States treat their patients. They are so impersonal and cold. But I finally had to give in and see a doctor. I was sent to get an MRI in Guadalajara. That cost me three hundred dollars. The technicians were respectful and polite. I didn't mind it at all. Then I saw the surgeon in Ajijic, Dr. Gomez. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He is respectful, competent, good natured, and affordable. Good looking too.

He immediately scheduled me for surgery to be done in a Guadalajara hospital two days later. He met me at the front of the hospital, Hospital Country 2000. Everyone there was kind. The surgery happened quickly. No massive paper work as is demanded in the States. Dr Gomez was waiting for me when I came out of the recovery room. I paid cash. The total bill was around two thousand dollars. I can only imagine the cost of the same surgery in the States. I had a torn meniscus and disintegrating cartilage. The hospital staff called the taxi for me and I was driven back to my home in Ajijic.

The follow up care has been excellent. I have nothing but good things to say about the doctors and hospitals here. Dr. Leon is in the same office as Dr. Gomez. He is a general practitioner. He is excellent. Another handsome man. It is almost embrassing, listening to the way some of the elderly American women flirt with these doctors while they wait their turn. But if you have to go to the doctor, it is an added bonus to see a handsome one......

Hospital Country 2000
Dr. Gerardo A. Leon Leon's email: groupomedicorealdeleon@yahoo.com