Wealth Gap Tests Mexico's Conservative New Leader – Click here

Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Flights Now Require U.S. Passport – Click here

Oil Output Slumps to Six-year Low – Click here

Police in Tijuana Issued Sling Shots – Click here

SUBSCRIBE
I would like to be added to your list please. Thank you. You are doing a great job!
Stéphane Legault

Please subscribe little Georgie. He has gone to Arizona to school and said he misses everyone in La Peñita. So let him see what is happening in Paradise. Thanks
George – Hotel California

Please add my name to your list of email subscribers for 'The Jaltemba Express'. I am familiar with the area, having stayed in La Peñita several times and also Rincon. I would love to receive your newsletter to keep up on what is happening. Thank you,
Shiela Legg

UPSTART NEWSPAPER
Hi Dot and Bill,
I just linked to you from my post today - from my La Peñita dateline, to Bill's pix. I just Googled La Peñita and there they were. Here is my address, for your millions and millions of viewers. (Click here) Thanks,
Mike Schenker
Arts & Life Editor
Montreal Gazette

BRIDGE PLAYERS WANTED
Hello and thank you for putting me on your subscription list. It is much appreciated. I see in the listings that there is a women’s bridge group. I am wondering if there is also a group where men could play. Thanks for your help. My telephone number here in La Peñita is (cell) 322 149 7510
Ralph Reichert

JA’QUI & PEREZ BROTHERS FANS
Know you're busy, but could you tell us where El Tiburon is...where Ja'Qui and the Perez Bothers play? Can't seem to find anyone who knows. Thanks,
Ray
(EDITOR’S NOTE: We will contact Ja’qui but think the El Tiburon is an occasional weekend gig. Best to go to the Vista Guayabitos on Thursdays and ask her yourself!)

LOS AYALA RESTAURANT
Dear Editor,
We would like to help our friends, Juan & Rosa, promote their restaurant, Pikikos, in Los Ayala. They are organizing two special dinners with entertainment on Thursday, Jan. 25th and Friday, Jan. 26th. The time is from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and the cost is 120 pesos/person for tortilla soup, fish fillet with rice and veggies, chocolate cake and a drink of your choice. Felix and his keyboard are providing the entertainment. What a bargain! Pikikos is a Palapa restaurant located on Av. del Estero in Los Ayala. They have recently put in a new (spotless) kitchen, tile floor and roof. It is quite protected from the
elements so come on out and enjoy a great evening in this family run business.
Marilyn & Ed from Calgary
(EDITOR’S NOTE: We will put on our list for restaurants to review)

REAL ESTATE AD
How do I put a Beach lot ad for sale in the Real Estate Section? I can't seem to see where I would place it. Can you tell me?
Wilma
(EDITOR’S NOTE: We have a Real Estate Section that you “click to a link”. Please follow the Ad Guidelines we have developed. Submit your ad in both Spanish and English. Send some photos and presto you are done.)

MEXICO HEALTH SYSTEM – A FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE
Editor,
Mexico has taken a lot of heat in the press in Canada in the past few weeks and there is even a move to have a ‘travel advisory’ posted to warn Canadians of the dangers of traveling in Mexico.
I feel that I would like to counter some of the negative publicity with some very positive ones, based on my own recent experiences.
My husband and I have been wintering in La Peñita and just prior to Christmas I came down with an ear infection, one that has been quite debilitating. The local doctor prescribed three different antibiotics along with other meds, none of which was able to rid me of the infection. On the advice of the local doctor I traveled to Puerto Vallarta to the San Javier Marina Hospital to see an ear specialist.
San Javier Marina Hospital was also the choice of hospital of our insurance company. Within the hour of arriving I was seen by an ear specialist, treated and given more antibiotics, with instructions to see him a few days later.
The infection did not improve and the specialist decided to admit me to the hospital so that I could be administered antibiotics via an IV. This was not what I wanted to hear at this time.
To say that I entered the hospital with misgivings would be an understatement! I have other health issues, such as asthma and diabetes, food allergies and was not sure how I was going to be able to communicate my many and varied needs. I do not speak any Spanish and was not sure how I was going to make my needs known. Boy, was I wrong to be worried!
The few times that language became an issue there was always a telephone handy in which the staff could call someone to translate for me. Usually there was some one some where on the ward that spoke English. I was very well accommodated for my lack of Spanish.
I entered the hospital on a Tuesday, given a private room and my treatment started immediately. The doctor ordered a CT scan to be done on Wednesday, and found the infection had spread to the bone behind the ear. He insisted that I remain in hospital for another day at least.
After dinner on the Wednesday evening I suffered breathing problems, and chest pain. I thought I was having a severe asthma attack. Turned out I was wrong and within minutes I was told I was being moved to “critical care” as it was not my lungs that were the problem, but my heart.
Remember, I speak no Spanish am in a foreign country and my family was not with me at the time. My husband could not be reached via telephone at this time. I had some very real concerns about what was going to happen to me.
Within half an hour of being admitted to ICU I had an English speaking heart specialist working with me. She talked me through every thing that was happening, what to expect and what to do. I had such confidence in her and the team that was working with her, I was able to mostly remain calm and let them do their job. A job they did very well.
I spent Thursday and Friday in intensive care having the BEST care that could be made available. The heart specialist scheduled an angiogram for 10:00 PM Thursday evening.
Friday afternoon I was moved back into a private room and released on Saturday to return home.
While I was in intensive care I had a nurse by my side 24 hours a day. I was bathed, medicated, monitored and looked after one on one. Given the language differences I was always able to convey my needs, even if the nurse had to pick up the phone and have a translator available for me. My needs were more than adequately met; I was cared for above and beyond what I would have been back at home.
While in the private rooms, I was treated with the utmost respect, cared for and treated with utmost professionalism. My meals were ordered one hour prior to meal time and always arrived hot and freshly cooked, nutritious and adequate. I can not say enough good about the meal services.
The hospital staff was kind, caring and again professional in all aspects. If I pushed the button for assistance, a nurse or doctor was with me within minutes. The hospital itself was absolutely immaculate in cleanliness and well maintained.
My husband could not be accommodated at the hospital while I was in ICU, but the hospital recommended a hotel across the road that gave a discount to relatives. While I was in the private room, my husband was encouraged to stay with me. They had a pull out bed for him, brought him sheets, a pillow, a blanket and a towel for the shower. Who could ask for better service?
My purpose in writing such a long letter is to let others know that good health care is available in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. With the many issues that I entered the hospital with I could not have had better service had I been at home. In fact, given the health care crises in BC, I would probably still be waiting to see an ear specialist, never mind find a bed in a hospital anywhere. I not only had a CT scan within 24 hours, I had an angiogram within 30 hours. Would I have had this quick service at home? I doubt it. I firmly believe that I had first class treatment in what is supposed to a third world country.
Not only could the local doctor speak English, my ear specialist did as well. My heart specialist was born in Canada, raised in the States and spoke fluent Spanish as well. What more could one ask for?
I hope to alleviate the fears other may have about the health care in Mexico, and tell others that unfortunately only the negative gets reported in the press. It is time that Mexico received the praise that I feel it deserves.
I know that if I have to have further treatment, I hope to have it done here in Mexico for I now know that the treatment will be the BEST!
Mrs. Faye Hodson,
Surrey, BC. Canada
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks Sweetie. Good to have you home)