The Holidays...2014

That time of year is in full swing.  The end of October brought All Hallows Day, quickly followed by Christmas and New Years.  The holidays in Puerto Vallarta and throughout Mexico are similar to those in the great Northland with maybe a touch more religious emphasis.

Halloween (October 31^st) means All Hallows Eve, November 1st is All Hallows’ Day, and November 2nd is the Day of the Dead (All Souls’ Day).   Mexican trick-or-treaters, however, do not shout “trick-or-treat,” which is difficult to pronounce in Spanish. Instead, they chant queremos Halloween (we want Halloween).

Christmas here is a celebration of the Life of Our Savior.  The children's celebration of receiving presents is not until January 6th, "el día de Reyes", the day of the Kings, or the Wise Men Day. It is the Magi who brought the presents to the Baby Jesus, thus, they bring the toys to the boys and girls who have been good. Still we have Christmas trees with lights, Santa Claus and lots of shopping opportunities and at 12:00 AM Christmas Day the local niño’s gather in the street, laughing, running, blowing party whistles, and exploding fireworks getting ready for Piñata time.  This can and does continue for an hour +, depending on the number of children and the supply of Piñatas and the candy/goodies contained within (this year the children quit at 3:30 AM and the adults somewhat later). 

New Year’s Eve (Fiesta de Fin de Año) is a festive occasion for millions of people in Mexico, as it is a time to say good bye to the year ending and to welcome the New Year. There are many superstitious activities that people do for fun. It is believed that dressing in certain colors will bring positivity:  white for spiritual goodness; green for good health; red for love; and yellow for wealth. One midnight tradition is to throw a bucket of water out the window for renewal in the New Year.  Mexican families decorate homes and parties during New Year’s with colors such as yellow to encourage improved employment conditions, green to improve financial circumstances and white to improve health.  Mexicans eat a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown while making a wish with each one.

If you haven´t received a holiday card from us in the mail it´s because we don´t have a reliable postal system.  That coupled with 12 mailmen city wide, without identity (uniforms, etc.) walking or on motorcycle, encourages us to resort to email for cards and letters.  If you mailed a card by December 15th to us, be assured I´ll be checking our mailbox around February 25, 2015. 

The year 2014 was/is a wonderful year for Dolores and I.  We continue with good health, had the best season yet for Dolores Essence of Cuisine Cooking School, met many new acquaintances, added wonderful new friends, visited with family, both in Puerto Vallarta and stateside, and continued our involvement with the local niño´s and neighbors.  Some wags say that growing older is not for sissies, we believe it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn and continue growing.  We wish you similar wonders.

¡Próspero Año Nuevo!

DON'T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.

 This old saying/proverb is most often credited to St. Jerome from around 400 A.D.  His exact words: "Never inspect the teeth of a gift horse."   This proverb is based on the fact that a horse's value is determined by his age, which, in turn, can be roughly determined by an examination of his teeth. The message conveyed is that a gift should be appreciated for the thought and spirit behind it, not according to its value.

That said let me tell you a little story.  Good friends of ours called a few weeks ago and asked if we´d like to have a certificate they had won in a local drawing.  This certificate was for an overnight stay in one of the local Hotel/Resorts and they would not be able to use it before returning to the states.  Dolores quickly said yes and we met with them and received the certificate. 

Last week we drove to the Hotel/Resort to make reservations for our stay.  After a couple false starts and the assistance of several persons we were finally made to understand that we had to call the telephone number barely visible in the lower right corner of the certificate and provide the award number next to the telephone number.  When I asked if I could borrow a telephone they said we had to call from an off-site telephone.  Tipping the valet driver for parking our car for 15 minutes we headed home.

The following day Dolores made the call and talked with the local representative (who was located at the Hotel site).  We agreed on the reservation date then he wanted us to email him a copy of the award certificate.  My scanner wanted to recognize the certificate in two-parts because of its oversize – so we crossed our fingers and emailed the scanned photo(s).  The next email said that wasn´t acceptable and no we couldn´t bring it bye except after the reservations were verified.  Just before I told them where they could store the certificate, Dolores suggested I take a picture and email it.  It worked and we were in!  However, they reminded us - don´t forget to bring the real certificate when we checked in.

Upon arrival I took the two niño´s we had brought along to enjoy lunch and a swim (before going back home in a taxi) to show them the pool and to see if there were any lounges available.  Returning to the lobby entertainment area I went to the bar and asked for two coca-colas and a dark cervesa – I could see Dolores was still evolved in the checking in process.  When I tried to pay there was confusion on the bartender’s part, and myself, when finally he said he had no cash.  Several minutes later he said it was “happy hour” and poured me another beer.  At this moment Dolores showed up and said there had been confusion at the check in, they had us down for the month of August instead of July; however everything was OK and we could go to our room.  We tried once more to pay for the drinks or give them our room number – no luck – so we headed to the room expecting our luggage to follow immediately.  One hour later the porter came, with excuses, and politely asked if there was anything else.  Dolores had attained the wi-fi codes (one for inside the hotel and one for outside the hotel (go figure); however, I´d had no luck in getting the wi-fi to work.  After several more attempts he called the desk and it seemed the server was down, but they´d have it working soon.

Changing into our swimming gear we headed to lunch.  They had a menu posted at the door without $$$ value and when I asked the hostess said the property  was all-inclusive…mystery solved, though I’m certain she told her fellow workers about the idiot gringo who didn´t know.  We had brunch and refresco’s, with the liquid being the only thing worth remembering about lunch, found three chaise lounges nearby and spent a couple fun hours swimming and ordering hamburgers, refresco’s, and gin-tonics.  Finally it was time to cleanup and send the niño’s home.  They went to the room to shower and change and we followed somewhat later.  Then I placed them in a cab with the necessary pesos and sent them on their way.  Returning to the room, I settled down to read when the overhead fan came on at high speed.  Grabbing the controller I turned it down, then it went back to high, to medium, to high, to low then I was able to shut it off.  Thirty minutes later it came back on at high speed.   I shut it off and then removed the controllers’ battery.  Once again we read in peace when the fan again turned on at high speed.  Replacing the battery I shut it off then got a drink out of the refrigerator and damn near slipped in a large pool of water – a leak from the A/C in the ceiling.  Maintenance was called and arrived in minutes.  He had had a complaint from next door that their ceiling fan wasn´t working…their control was programmed to work our fan.  Twenty minutes later everything was fixed and we were able to finally relax.

When we returned to the room we had looked at the French menu on the sites second restaurant and noticed that it had prices posted so we´d decided to call room service an hour and one half before service was scheduled to end.  The menu had some interesting items so Dolores ordered two chicken soups with several toppings and rolls.  It arrived just ten minutes before shutdown (Dolores was already asleep) with the announcement we owed $85 pesos…$85 pesos (all-inclusive)?   I paid with a tip and we enjoyed the entries – very lukewarm, but tasty (or were we just hungry..).  The remainder of the evening was comfortable and we enjoyed the T-Storm thunder and lightning display outside of our balcony.

Breakfast was excellent and then we proceeded to checkout.  After removal of the $85 pesos charge for the previous evening’s room service that I had already paid I settled the bill with cash, tipped the valet service and departed for home.  The next morning when Dolores checked her banking she saw a $1000 peso charge to her account,  Geezzz!!  When we re-contacted the desk they said that would be removed within the next 7-10 days and assured us it was a normal procedure used in order to see if our credit card could handle any bills that might occur during our all-inclusive stay.  Sure enough it was removed the following day and we had a call from the GM apologizing for all the little problems and invited us back to enjoy Sunday brunch as their guests…whatchatink?¡¿  Don´t look a gift horse in the mouth?

Who’s watching the shop?

The Weather Gods must be on vacation.  Our first significant rain/thunder/lightning happened May 26^th, a Monday evening, around 8:30 P.M. almost 3 weeks early this season. This was followed by a couple of cloudy days with short showers.   Two days ago in the very early morn the low temperature was 82^o F when I arose for an early morn exercise walk to the commode and it peaked at 91^o as I sat at my laptop at noontime with an overhead fan on plus my small desktop clip-on blasting air into my face.  We´ve been actually looking forward for the rains to become a reality and give us some welcome cooling.  Occasionally we experience a light evening drizzle, an early AM drizzle, and a couple of days ago a steady all day  shower with an early AM temperature of 77⁰. 

Today our almost 6 year old next door neighbor, Eta, is playing on Dolores Kindle Fire out on the veranda while waiting for the shade to cover some more of the pool so we can go swimming.  The pool water temperature is now around 85 degrees, so while not very refreshing it’s still wet.

Wonders of wonders!  Started raining lightly at 7 PM…Update... its now quit at 8 PM…oops, here it comes with thunder and lightning.  Time to go outside onto the veranda and watch!  Lo que será, sera,  - más o menos. 

Rainy Season Beginning at Pilitas 204

 

 

Again - What’s Retirement like…?

I´ve heard this question so many, many times.  It’s often phrased in different ways, e.g. “what do you do with all the time…what´s a typical day like…don´t you get bored with nothing to do…etc?  There are many books, magazines, seminars, and professional consultants who can/will offer good answers to these questions.  I would not even attempt to offer serious advice on this matter; however, I can comment on my 22 years of being off the corporate employment payroll, and 7 years of blissfully not answering to anyone else´s need of my time (except for Dolores, my spouse and full time focus). 

I do agree that when retirement does come you will need a focus for your energy.  That can be in any form that interests you – volunteering your services to various organizations, back to school, writing, hobby(s), sports, painting, crafts, bridge, and the list can go on.  And it can and will change as more interesting opportunities arise over time.  As most of you know my interests center on watching several sports (TV at this age), writing, new technology gadgets and, not the least, being a “foodie.”   Dolores focus as a “foodie” has resulted in her Essence of Cuisine (EOC) Cooking classes and all the essential continuing education, recipe development, research, advertising,  plus her interest in Computers/Facebook, home decorating, and so forth.

However, back to the most asked questions; “what do you do with all the time…what´s a typical day like…don´t you get bored with nothing to do…” Let me run you through a sample day which includes shopping for EOC or basic grocery/supplies (2-3 times per week).

Rise at 9:00 AM.  [Isn´t that wonderful? Someone just recently commented…but you go to bed the same day you get up!  More on that later.] Turn on coffee machine…fix breakfast…have coffee…read morning news (Kindle)…turn on laptop(s) or Tablets or both and review emails…answer client inquiries (Dolores EOC)…clean up (all) and get ready for the day…Leave for shopping (12:00 noon).  Stop at Emiliano Zapata open market for fresh fruit and vegetables…go to SAMs/WalMart for staples and additional fruit and vegetables…go to Mega for items not found at previous stores…go to Costco for remainder of meat, staples, veggies, not found at previous stops…go to specialty stores for specialty items (Asian/gourmet/) never found at previous stops…somewhere between stops and before returning home we will stop for lunch, and occasionally go to Home Depot/Office Depot/Our fav. DVD vendor/liquor store, etc.  Arriving home at 5:30PM we announce our presence to the local niño´s by horn and they haul all the items up to our condo for a reasonable propina.  Then, well you get the picture –store staples, wash veggies and put away and collapse with a cervesa (me).  After a proper interlude Dolores goes back to her Tablet Kindle, I to my Kindle or Tablet – we might watch a bit of TV and finally shutdown around 1:00 AM… remember the comment “but you go to bed the same day you get up” – now you know the rest of the story?

But you don´t always go shopping you say.  You’re absolutely correct.  Factor in

·        7 neighborhood Niño’s that we´ve semi-adopted which means, birthdays, holidays, swimming in our pool, the ocean, and the Rio Quale (river), movies, special outings for hamburgers/fries, local neighborhood parties, etc. 

·         Trips throughout Mexico, e.g., Guadalajara (Tonala/Tlaquepaque), San Miguel La Allende, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, León, Morelia, México City, Colima, La Manzanilla, Melaque/Obregón-Barra de Navidad, and so forth…

·         Other days get filled up by quick trips to pick up those items overlooked when shopping (ouch), condo maintenance assignments, a swim in the pool, breakfast/lunch/dinner/show with friends and acquaintances, and visitors from afar.    

And that’s it you say?...   Well now that you asked, my travel” Bucket List” includes many places,  but  “I've never  been  in Cahoots.   Apparently, you can't go  alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been In Cognito.  I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane.  They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing”... From my friend JoLyn

Shop ‘til you Drop…The Tonala Experience- Redone

It´s has been almost two years since our last visit to Tonala, MX.  While in Seattle last fall we were talking with a good friend who thought that putting together a group of travelers to come to Mexico with the added idea of exploring local wines, tequila labels, attend a cooking class and visit one of the foremost centers for manufacture of beautiful handmade crafts such as silver, blown glass, ceramics, fine pottery, and paper mache in Mexico.  Our friend would handle the anticipated group from the PNW, we agreed to handle the local Puerto Vallarta activities through Essence of Cuisine, and we contacted our good friend, Roberta Valdez of Alegre Tours, to offer her “Shop ´Til You Drop” tours to Tonala.

 To make a long story short, the anticipated PNW group didn´t materialize; however, we were able to interest 4 of our local PV friends (plus ourselves) in the Tonala trip, and Roberta finally  netted 10 additional fellow shopping persons…the three day “Shop ‘til you Drop” trip was on!

 On the departure day of March 8 we loaded our luggage into the car at 6:00AM, headed to the Puerto PV Mega complex, boarded the TTur bus with our friends and headed north out of Puerto Vallarta with a brief stop at the Nueva Vallarta Mega to pickup the balance of the group.  The objective once again – to prowl the environs of Tonala for special purchases - needed or just desired. 

 So said, 5 hours later we arrived at our destination hotel in Tonala.  Dolores and I plus one of the other experienced Tonala travelers had brought several DVD´s of the academy awards nominated/winning movies which were watched (both going and returning) making the trip hours pass swiftly.

Newest Multi-Lens to our Collection

Once again - why Tonala?  The shopping village of Tonala, Jalisco, is probably one of the best places in the Guadalajara area to find beautiful handmade crafts such as silver, blown glass, ceramics, fine pottery, and paper maché.  Tonala is more of a big outdoor shopping market and a wonderful one at that!  The Tiangis is held on Thursdays and Sundays. Most of the art found in Tlaquepaque and Guadalajara is manufactured here. The prices are unbeatable and the high quality of each handmade product is clearly evident - the number one reason people flock back for more. A personal example, Dolores had found a colorful ceramic rendition of fruit at one of our Nordstrom style stores, Liverpool, consisting of three pieces priced each at $800, $600, and $500 MXN Pesos each ($144USD total).  We found the set in Tonala at $420 MXN Pesos total ($31.74 USD).  We also purchased another self-standing Multi-Lens (Prism-Lens) art piece at a price of $300 USD which would be approximately $2000 USD + in Puerto Vallarta.  These are the practical reason for shopping in Tonala.

The Hotel Del Sol where our group stayed is centrally located and the lobby is setup to focus on groups and their purchases.   Most all of the stores deliver to the hotel several times daily and place the purchases in a space with your or group name. In this manner you need not worry about carrying around your packages or returning large items to the hotel yourself – it’s all wrapped and delivered at no expense to you thereby freeing you to continue your quest for more treasures.

 After check in we regrouped to have lunch and the appropriate refrescas in order to refuel the “hunter-killer” instinct needed to find the hidden treasures of Tonala.  Most of the pro-shoppers, those with several trips under the belt, already knew their first designations and were off immediately while the inexperienced stayed close to the experienced shopper-travelers in order to familiarize themselves with the physical layout of the town and variety of treasures.  Once again Dolores and I had committed to take several shoppers to visit a store in which we buy dishes and place-settings and an Arte Krystal shop that specializes in manufacturing beautiful hi-end multi-lenses and vases of every shape and color.  After Dolores and I decided on our purchases we moved on while our friends were happily contemplating their needs.  Our day ended with an impromptu happy hour with frosty coffee mochas at the hotel and a cheese burger for dinner.  The next day will begin the famous Tonala Sunday Tiangis with more people/vendors than you could imagine.

Our Groups "Goodies" - 1st Day

The next morning, since Dolores and I had accomplished our main objectives the day before, we enjoyed a great breakfast - leisurely.  By the time we returned from acquiring some personal small items the lobby was already filling up with packages.  As the day progressed, the space in the lobby rapidly filled with packages of every size and shape from our group.  After a short rest in the early afternoon Dolores went out to explore on her own while I stayed in and worked on my snoozing.

 

That evening we all joined together in the lobby to travel to our standard Italian restaurant in downtown Guadalajara – Trattoria de Guadalajara.  This was done with our custom motor coach and driver.  What a twist to the popular phrase – “ride the bus and leave the driving to us.”  That extra Martini was wonderful!

A Great Meal and Happy Faces

 One the third and final morning we once again enjoyed a leisure breakfast then got ready for checkout.  The driver had already packed the many large purchases and our luggage. Leaving Tonala we immediately proceeded a few miles to a glass factory where many of us added glassware items to our already sizable inventory of purchases.  Then we motored to Tlaquepaque to walk the streets and plaza, finding additional treasures.

 The Tlaquepaque area is famous for its pottery and blown glass (mostly obtained from Tonala).  Tlaquepaque features El Parián, a large plaza flanked by columned arcades and surrounded by restaurants and bars.  The main walking street is lined with shops and restaurants of every kind.  Many of the shops are housed in turn of the century houses with wonderful architecture.  The prices are very hi-end, still, bargains can be found.

 

Celebrating Mariachis and Dancers in Bronze

The restaurant we chose to gather at and enjoy a late lunch features a wonderful all female Mariachi group which entertained us royally.  Great food, fine tequila, and the entertainment was the best of the trip

  

The Real Deal

Finally, we re-boarded our motor coach and left for Puerto Vallarta arriving at 10:00 PM after watching two great movies.  Loading our SUV we headed home where Edgar, our maintenance person, told us to go on up to the condo and he would bring everything up. 
 
He got the remaining pesos in my possession as a well-deserved propina.



Finally We Are Here – Fresh Water Bass Fishing in Mexico



View from Room/Veranda

Rancho Andre, Presa Cajon de Peñas, Jal., MX…June 22, 2014… last month Dolores and I took a 2 day bass fishing trip to "Presa Cajon de Peñas" which is a Federal fresh water lake (reservoir) about 60 miles or one and half hours from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.   Our stay and fishing guides are located at Rancho Andrea lake side with a wonderful panoramic view of the mountains and lake.

Presa Cajon de Peñas is the largest reservoir in the state of Jalisco and consists of 7,000 acres of great fishing.  The lake shore has abundant vegetation and a great variety of birds and other wildlife native to the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is stocked with Large Mouth bass, Florida Bass, and Tilapia. The bass lake record is 13 pounds. Just recently there was a seed of bass in the amount of 200,000 plus several thousand Tilapia.  The lake is a "catch and release" site, however, you are allowed to keep 3 bass per person per day.

The 2 day tour included:

• Transportation to the lake and back; Fishing permit; Boat with guide; fishing gear and lures; and, overnight accommodations.  The trip is currently priced at $250USD pp. 
• Lunches were provided both days, including ice cold drinks in the boat and at the ranch: e.g., bottle water, soft drinks, and beer (Corona & Pacifico)
• A steak dinner for two with macaroni salad and fresh corn sides, accompanied with tortillas which was served the first evening after we cleaned up from fishing.
• The lodging was very comfortable; a large room with Queen Bed, satellite TV; Banyo with shower, and a front veranda, with table chairs, sink, refrigerator and stove top including cabinets and counter.  This looked out over the lake.

Dolores´ First Bass

On our trip we were picked up at our condo by Alex Meillon, the owner´s (Frederico Meillon´s) brother and were served freshly purchased Subway sandwiches and water.  He gave us a running explanation of our upcoming experience and was very helpful in making certain we would enjoy the fishing trip.   At arrival we were checked into our room then went fishing.  The picture of Dolores holding her first catch was the first of 5 on the first day. Additionally, it was her first bass fishing trip and the first time using spinning equipment and lures. The second day we caught 2 bass for a total of 7.  Both the guide and I “caught” more lakeside trees than she did and after a few tries her casts were equal to mine.  WTF.

Juan our fishing guide, born and raised in the area, was very knowledgeable about the good fishing “spots” and was a saviour in untangling our lures from overhanging tree limbs and bottom snags.

Rising at 6:00 AM on the second day we fished for approximately (5 hours) then returned to the Ranchero.  We left for Puerto Vallarta at approximately 1:00 PM and arrived home at around 3 PM after stopping for gas in El Tuito and at a locally famous outdoor bread oven located roadside just this (PV) side of El Tuito.

Lake Shore inside a Cove

More Fishing Habitat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you´ve had such a hankering, Contact Frederico Meillon at info@ranchoandrea.com , website www.ranchoandrea.com , local PV Tele: (322) 225-8294.

Yesterday I Bravely Faced One Of My Deepest Fears…the Dentist

 

The other morning at breakfast I bit into a quesadilla and felt something hard and experienced a “crunching” feeling that shouldn´t have been there.  Close examination confirmed that a significant portion of my lower left cuspid had given up active work and was about to retire to a different environment.  I immediately setup an appointment with our Dentist office; however, since there wasn´t any pain or sensitivity the visit was scheduled for 2 weeks later.  At the scheduled appointment the dentist told me that there was not enough tooth remaining to attach a new appliance too, therefore I needed a root canal procedure so that the placement of an appliance post could be accomplished.   Root Canal…!

Let me digress a moment and establish the basis for which the thought of a Root Canal… sent tremors throughout my system.  My first two root canal experiences were the result of football and basketball injuries during my High School player days.  Both were because of accidental blows that eventually resulted in terminal nerve damage and resulting pressure buildup within the tooth…a happening of approximately 70 years ago.  These procedures were done without nerve deadening drugs or gas, using a compressed air driven drill at 3000-4000 rpm.  Water and air was used separately to cool and clean.  Imagine this used on a tooth that was already too sensitive for even the pressure from your lip pressing against it. My next experience was in college when Novocain was in use for “painless” dentistry.  I had the toe-curling pleasure on 3 separate sessions when the dentist struck the bone with the needle.  Those “shocks” are still as vivid as the very instance when they happened.  

My childhood days saw a normal amount of cavities being filled – sometimes without drills and other times with electric drills of who knows what speed (rpm).  Every visit was memorable for this writer.

As a result any serious trip to the dentist today is a shaky time.  I know technology and techniques have taken quantum steps – air-turbine drills at 400,000 rpm with integrated water and air for cooling and cleaning, better drugs given with a higher degree of skill, etc.; however, it’s still me and my memories that get to show up at the appointed time for a Root Canal.

Our (Dolores and I) dentist, Dr. A. Lomeli, has an office located in a Riding Park (Horses) and employs several other dentists and assistants.  He is known internationally as a teacher for tooth implants and conducts seminars and clinics for other Doctors.  The office building is all white, with marble tile floors, and colorful artwork.  All assistants are dressed in white and hustle about on quite feet.   He had told me that I would have a visiting specialist do the root canal.  On the scheduled day and hour Dolores drove me to the office with plans to do some shopping while I was engaged and asked me to check out how much time the procedure would take.  Entering the waiting area I announced myself to the duty receptionist and asked how much time would it be before Dolores could pick me up.  With a straight face the receptionist said “Oh, dos cervesas más o menos.”  I relayed the info to Dolores “approximately one hour, more or less” then sat down to await my Doctor who was “on his way.”

About twenty minutes later a young man with horn-rimmed eyeglasses, spiked dark hair (like Dolores), dressed in faded blue jeans, and carrying what looked like a fishing tackle box entered building, nodded to all and disappeared into the back.  Having been previously told by Dolores what my specialist looked like I wasn´t surprised when he returned, introduced himself as Dr. Carrillo and guided me back to his office for the dreaded Root Canal .

Approximately 1 ½ hours later I emerged from an amazing experience.  The specialist was cool and professional and did the root canal without any unusual discomfort for me other than sitting with my mouth open (occasionally closed) for slightly more than an hour.  He guided me verbally through each stage of the procedure and visually showed me the progress through x-ray´s instantly displayed on a monitor screen directly in front of my eyes.  At completion he suggested I might need 1 ibuprofen (no more) later that evening as the numbness wore off (not required).  I almost tipped him…lol.

After paying my bill Dolores and I went shopping at Liverpool for some Essence of Cuisine essentials before returning home.  By early evening the numbness was gone and life returned to normal.