Then just to complicate matter (you know how I love to do that to myself) I slipped and fell. I had been making my tuna salad (a mainstay of my diet). Since I put in four chopped eggs, it is more like egg salad with tuna. Anyway all along I had been washing dishes and must have spilled some water on the floor. I had gone to the refrigerator to get a jar of mayonnaise and mustard, then I slipped with a jar in each hand. Unwilling to drop anything I tried to break my fall with my elbow on the edge of the tile counter. My elbow is scrapped and sore, but the real damage was to my shoulder which took all the weight of my body. (Of course I had been drinking. It was after 6:00 at night) The real pain started the next day. I could barely move my right arm. No way I could carry anything heavy let alone sweep and mop my floors.
It was also a Sunday. Four years ago I learned about going to one of the local clinics instead of a regular doctor. I think they are partially Government supported and are mostly set up for poor people (Well!!) Oddly enough no one was in the waiting room so I had just a short wait to see the doctor. I explained what had happened and hoped to get a shot of cortisone. She took some readings of blood pressure and pulse, then moved my arm about. Convinced nothing was really broken she gave me a shot (with two more to follow in two days) She also gave me some salve to rub on it and some pain killers. The doctor visit, the shots, and the medication cost 175 pesos (about $10.00 at today's exchange rate) Can you imagine what the cost would have been had I walked into an emergency room in The States? Probably over $1,000.00. Of course my insurance company in The States would have happily paid the $1,000, but not a dime for my medical treatments in Mexico. It makes no sense to me. Sometimes I think that American logic is more stupid that Mexican logic (and they don't have any logic). But this is fodder for another posting. When I went back for my last shot, I stopped on my way to meet a friend for lunch at River Cafe. I thought I had plenty of time, but after I paid my 20 pesos and went into the waiting room, I found five people ahead of me. I stuck around for a while then went back to the counter and explained that I had another appointment and I would like to turn in my ticket and return a few hours later. She said something I did not understand, but I got the impression she wanted me to wait. Then she took me in another room and gave me the shot. Was it because I was a gringo, or because she knew I did not need a consultation with the doctor. They are wonderful.
Next came shopping. I need 3 bottles of Vodka, 3 bottles of Tequila, 3 bottles of Scotch (less one for my own consumption), 2 bottles of Gin, 3 cases of beer, 2 cases of wine (one red and one white) and various mixes. We drink a lot down here. Then 2 platters of Mexican finger food, 4 small thin crust pizzas, meat and cheese rolls, nuts, dip, and of course guacamole supplied by my friend Hector who makes the best guacamole )n Mexico. I type up 4 invitations on a sheet of paper, so each year I just have to make a few changes (like dates). Unfortunately I made one more and in so doing erased my address on two of them. This I discovered only after having my coffee lady decorate the invitation. She is a great artist and I am having it framed.
Two nights before the party, dark clouds approached and it started to sprinkle. OH NO! It cannot rain on my party. There is no way my apartment will accommodate over 50 people without the use of my huge terrace. The tile stairs going up to it are very slippery. With wet soles, it becomes lethal. Luckily the sun came out the following day. Then the night before the party around 11:00 at night I heard this terrible racket. I looked out to discover a backhoe digging up the street in front of my house. Will I have water or a sewer tomorrow? Having over 50 people here with one bathroom is a problem. If the toilet does not flush it goes to a whole other dimension. It went on past midnight, but the following moring I learned they were just connecting the water and sewer lines to the old hacienda being renovated across the street. Why they decided to do this at midnight for a building that will not be open for at least another month? Well, you would have to ask them.
It was a beautiful evening with a cool breeze and clear sky with lots of stars. It must be mating season for bats as I have had swarms of them in the huge mango trees behind my house. Just a little more excitement for an evening that didn't really need any more. People told me it was The Best Party Ever (not just my best, but The Best). I have a very eclectic guest list. The age range was from 22 to almost 80 (that would be me, of course) There were a couple of doctors, university professors, a world renown ex belly dancer, several multimillionaires, and a hooker. (Anyone remember the party scene from Breakfast at Tiffnays ?) My two bar tenders did a great job. I couldn't get every out until almost 11:00. I was exhausted, but the guys had washed all the glasses and dishes so the next morning all I had to do was to mop the floors and put stuff back together again. I am still beat. Will I do another one? Who knows? But no robber arrived.
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