We were up before sunrise today. Mister is looking really rough. He woke up screaming, crying, and coughing, unable to open his eyes. They were both glued shut with the icky greenish goo. We decide not to waste anymore time...it is evident that this irritation is not just from the sand; something else is going on. We decide that he should see a pediatrician, and since we are in a large city, it should be relatively easy to find one. One thing to note, though, about Baja: even in the small communities there is a plethora of medical options. It all depends on whether you want private care or social care. Now, Tristan is eligible for either, since he is a Mexican national ~ one of the benefits to this is the free health care. But, we figured if we could find a private physician near the hotel, we would go there first. Even private health care is relatively affordable in Mexico. We look through the phone book and locate a pediatrician only a few blocks from the hotel, and, bonus! his phone book ad says that he speaks English. Granted, this isn't necessary, but it does make it somewhat easier. The office opens at 10, so we have some time to kill.
We watch a little TV; Sis enjoys the Backyardigans, Miss Spider, and Lazytown in Espanol (to be honest, so do I ~ it's a very entertaining way to learn Spanish. In fact, I'm thinking we need to buy some of her shows in Spanish!). Then, we head down for some breakfast in La Terraza. Breakfast: Molletes (the correct version - not what they had served us at Serenidad!) thick crusty French bread spread with refried beans, one topped with with egg and cheese, one topped with chorizo and cheese, and one topped with ham and cheese ~ delicious! and of course, pancakes for the kids.
We then set out to find a spot to let the dogs out to run for a bit, then to find the pediatrician and get the Mist all fixed up. We find the office tucked along a tree lined street just off of the downtown corridor. The doctor will be in in about an hour, so we wait (as Mist is sleeping, anyway) enjoying the shade and a cappuccino from Cafe-Tizo. There are also lots of flowers to look at and pick :)
When the doctor arrives, he gives Tristan a thorough examination, and concludes that he indeed has an infection. His throat is raw and inflamed, and he has a slight ear infection that is causing the nose and eyes to weep and drain. Doctor Fones also checked out Sis, who had been coughing a bit as well, and determined that she too, had a minor infection, although not as severe as the Mist. he gave us prescriptions for them both. The consult was $500 pesos for both of them - $40 USD.
At the farmacia, Lionel picks up the medications. Motrin - for inflammation, pain, and fever reduction, for both. Cefixima - an antibiotic, for Mist. Neosporin eye drops, for Mist. Sensibit - a respiratory expectorant, for both. The total for the prescriptions was $1237.50 pesos - $99 USD, but we are talking about filling 6 prescriptions without insurance. Not bad. Luckily, Mist is a true trooper and quick with a smile, even though he obviously feels like crap.
Next, we go back to the hotel, quickly pack up our things and get on the road to Todos Santos by 1:35 pm. The drive to Todos Santos is uneventful, but as we begin to get closer to the Pacific Coast, the air feels more humid and the temperature is milder. The closer we get, the more tropical it feels and looks. Palm trees begin to dot the landscape along with lush farms. We stop to buy a giant bouquet of fresh flowers at a roadside stand for $50 pesos - $4 USD.
Todos Santos is a charming town, built primarily around the sugarcane mills and farms in the 1800's. It's heyday as the sugarcane capital of Baja lasted until the 1950's and then the town all but died until the late 1980's when the highway Mexico 19 was paved, allowing tourism to flourish. It is now an artist's retreat and a haven of rest for retirees, and organic farmers alike. The streets are lined with old buildings that have been given new lives as galleries, restaurants, cafes, stores, and hotels. Even the Hotel California (fabled to be the one in the Eagles' song, but that is just a myth - of course, this doesn't hurt the popularity of the hotel one bit) is here along the pedestrian friendly historic district.
But, before we hit the district, it's time to hit the beach! We grab some carnitas (yum! Love Todos Santos already...carnitas EVERY day except Tuesday!!)and follow the road out of town to the beautiful, surfable beach of La Pastora. Everyone, including the mutts, enjoyed the beach romp. As the sun began to make it's descent, we decide to find our hotel for the night.
Our first choice, the Hacienda Inn, was no longer open, so we moved on to our second choice, the Hotel Santa Rosa. We book their last available room, #6, a studio apartment with full kitchen, overlooking the courtyard and pool for $650 pesos a night. We quickly make friends with the other guests, have a quick dinner of leftover carnitas, and attempt a late night pool dip. But the kids are just too tired, and come to think of it, so are we! A whooping 52 miles driven today! Buenes Noches!
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