Too much adventure in Punta Perula

I got out fishing a few days ago and it was certainly enjoyable. I didn't catch a Dorado, but I did land a pair of Sierras. This is the same fish as the Spanish Mackerel we have in Florida. However, we were fishing on the edge of deep water and these fish were twice the size of any I caught at home. The Dorado and Sierras were the only fish we brought in. We also caught a few skip-jack tuna. There is a Mexican name for them, but I couldn't begin to say it or spell it. These were shaped like a football and really fought well. Why didn't we keep them? Well, taking home Dorado and Sierra are like taking home Porterhouse steaks. Taking home the tuna is like taking home hot dogs. There flesh is bright red and turns ugly gray when cooked. Edible....yes, but palatable....no!

This is the point where the vacation is going sour. I didn't really feel too good the day I went fishing and thought it was due to the rough seas. The next day I confided in Helen that I was feeling dizzy and weak and was losing blood somewhere. She spoke to the campground hosts and got all the information she needed. First thing the next morning we picked up our interpreter, guide, advocate and all around Gal Friday. She seems to know everyone and knows how to get everywhere. Her name is Isabel and and she would make a perfect personal assistant.

We (Helen) drove up to Tomatlin to the clinic there and we got a prescription for blood work. Next we went to the blood lab and had the blood drawn. The results were ready in just over an hour. With the results in hand we returned to the clinic and the doctor, who spoke English very well. My blood level was down and my iron concentration was low. We were working through this when I REALLY started to feel faint. My vision blurred and I was falling out of my seat. Several of them put my in a wheel chair and took me to a private room and placed me on a bed. When I was about ready to fall, the doctor gave me a shot of adrenalin and followed that with an IV of saline solution. There was a certain determination to get me to the hospital in Puerto Vallarta. The ambulance ride would run $150.00 USD. Amazing! Helen ran Isabel back to Punta Perula to take care of the dogs. We left keys with the campground host just in case. When Helen got back to the campground the dogs had been fed and walked. A number of the campers helped out. In fact, Sandy reminded one camper of the dog he used to have and he wanted to keep until I was back on my feet.

By the time Helen got back to the clinic, the Doctor and I had already assessed the situation as being two fold. There was the loss of blood, but it was not a drastic loss, and the real cause of my problem with weakness and dizziness was dehydration. This has happened a couple of times before, and I'm still too stupid to drink enough liquids. I'm almost drowning in Gatorade now, so I'm OK on the liquid.

I've had a problem with blood loss a few times before and every time the doctors can find nothing because the problem ceases before I can get to a doctor. This time, The Gatorade is keeping me hydrated, but I'm still losing blood. Fortunately, there is a nurse close by the campground and I get a shot of liquid iron every day. Wouldn't that make your day! At this point I have one more test to come back, and based on that we may be moving to a campground in Puerto Vallarta in a few days.

I couldn't possibly give enough praise to the Mexican people that I've dealt with. Isabel didn't want Helen to drive her back to Punta Perula, she would just take the bus. She is willing to drive us up to the hospital in PV and then take the bus back by herself. I needed a nurse to give me the iron shot Sunday evening. Isabel called a nurse down the street and I was told to come right down to her house. I picked up Isabel and she showed me the way. The nurse has a large family and there was quite a crowd enjoying something Sunday evening. I was led into a back room and discretely given the shot. This morning I went to the clinic instead.

This is an amazing corner of Mexico, right on the Pacific Ocean. While some campgrounds are suffering this year, the host here has to turn people away on a daily basis. We heard one of the campers here asking the host to try his best to find a spot for their friends. There are only so many spots and they are all taken, many of them booked from November to May.

This too will be remembered as another ersatz adventure, but the real treasure is meeting so many really fine Mexican people. I'm sorry that a lot of travelers stay away because of the horror stories told by the media. We are having a ball! The dogs are having a grand time, especially since the handsome black lab Riggs look-a-like moved in. They are all spayed or neutered, but you'd never know from the interest generated.

I've got some nice pictures to publish, I'm just not up to it right now.

More later.