Mexico April 2019

Hola Amigos!

I am visiting Mexico again for a few weeks – after having had my two knee replacement surgeries this winter and suffering a bit for several months of rehabilitation in cold Vancouver, I really had an urge to enjoy the the warmth of the south and many times dreamed of swinging in a hammock or lounging on a recliner without having to wear much clothing and let the sun heal me. So, still limping and using a walking stick, I boarded a flight to Mazatlan – this time using a new carrier called “SWOOP” flying out of Abbotsford. The base price was $161 (plus some 60 dollars for extra leg space and checking 1 bag), compared with Westjet flights that were all listed at over $1000.-!).

But the healing process here in the Mexican sun was somewhat not quite to be, at least during the first week: After a 10 min sunbath, I developed a photo-activated Type 4 Immune reaction with lots of itching on chest and thighs. I have no idea which of the several drugs I was taking (with to exceptions all had been with me on previous visits). I am sure the stress of surgery somehow was partly or fully responsible for this unusual and unexpected reaction. Anyway, halfway through a course of prednisone treatment, I fell OK now and within a day or two might risk exposure to the sun again and see what happens.

In any case, tourist season with its influx of Americans and Canadians is basically over anyway – but it is not too hot at all and not rainy as yet. I went to our old trailer court site at Burritos today – but none of our old neighbors and friends were there anymore and the place feels like a morgue. OK, so I have to make the best of it – this time staying close to the Historic Center of Mazatlan, In Joan’s and Randy’s house, while they are underway in Canada. In a previous blog, from my last visit, I showed a lot of pictures of the location of their house, and not too much has happened in terms of interior finishing work. But there is running hot and cold water, windows are in, and the balcony has a secure wall around it and lots of sun – as long as you can tolerate it which, I hope, I will able to do once this initial problem I developed is taken care of.