Free Animal Clinic Aug. 2007 in Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos

The amazing VIDAS Volunteer Vets, Techs and Students came to the Yucatan Peninsula to help our local animals and community. They set up their temporary animal sterilization clinic in Playa del Carmen Aug 8-11, 2007 in the colosio at a Primary school. They offer their services for free in hopes to prevent animal suffering due to starvation, disease, and other health problems associated with pet overpopulation, recognizing also that overpopulation of animals also contributes directly to human disease. Their focus is safe sterilization, vaccination and parasite control for the animals and education for the local people about safe animal handling, zoonotic disease and general animal husbandry and health care.

After finishing a 4 day clinic in Playa del Carmen, they broke down the clinic and moved it to a school in Puerto Morelos and completed a 2 day clinic there as well, Aug 13 &14, 2007.

The total number of animals sterilized and treated (Includes cats and dogs, male and female).
Playa del Carmen in 4 days: 201
Puerto Morelos in 2 days: 97

Here are some photos to take you through some of a day of the Playa del Carmen VIDAS clinic.

After advertising the clinic weeks prior in local papers, radio and fliers around town… people start showing up for the free clinic in the morning at 8 AM.

First, we check them in with owner and pet information. Then they wait their turn for general exams.

Volunteers have plenty of time to meet and greet all the friendly customers. This is the best part!

Next, they get the pre-med ready for each individual animal in the surgery room.

This is US VET Meghann Burgland, she is in charge of everything that goes on with the medication doses and the flow of the surgery room. She is basically the backbone of the surgery room. Keep in mind they averaged 50 surgeries a day!

In one of the classrooms of the primary school they have their surgery room with 4 operating tables made especially for animals, other stations for sterilizing equipment etc.
Dr. Erica Periman beginning a surgery.

At 1:00 or so everyday, one of the Visiting Vet Students that is fluent in Spanish, taught classes to the local children.

Teaching them basic animal care and safety.

They LOVE it! 

Kids having a ball with Vidas Volunteer Teacher, Nolan Zeide. He is a vet student at Purdue University.

Showing off their work!

This is the recovery room where all patients go after surgery to recover and wake up. 

Volunteer, Deborah Payne checks a sweet Playa puppy for ticks.

We make comfy soft places to lay them and while they are still sleepy, we do a lot of extra care such as, cleaning ears, picking ticks, and a lot of TLC.

Any animals in need of parasite control or have skin conditions are treated at the clinic.

 Volunteer, Diane Patterson from Michigan takes care of a tiny black kitten in the recovery room.

After waking up and going through the recovery process, it is time to go home. The owners are told when they could return for their pet according to when they were dropped off. Some pet owners stay and wait the whole day and even help in the recovery room.

 ”Mom, I am ready to go home!”

It was a prefect success. Our community is grateful to VIDAS organization and volunteer crew. All of the visiting crew comes from the US or Canada, paying their own way and use their vacation time to come to this area and volunteer their skills!!!!- We love them for this!

During the clinic we have many locals and local businesses that have donated housing, meals, transportation assitance and hands on help. The Blue Parrot donated wonderful lunches for all the crew and volunteers, as well as, a thank you party at the end of the clinic. Mexico Escape donated two beautiful properties, as well as, an individual, Judith York Newman donated her condo for the visiting crew.

Vidas provides new collars and leashes to any animals in need! These dogs came with electrical cords as leads. (on the black dog in this photo you can even see the plug around his neck). If you have interest in getting involved with VIDAS or helping the animals please check out http://www.vidas.org/ or go to our local animal charity page.
I want to give my gratitude for the locals and visting volunteers that helped make this clinic work!
Thank you to Dr. Sandra Valdez, Dr. Claudia Lewy Sanchez, Dr. Diego Queijeiro G, Glenda Gabriel, Brenda Lee Carson, Deborah Ritchie, Libby and John Bekas, Paula Tunstall, Madi Collins, Deborah Payne, Marilyn Wall, Dale Cabauatan, Diane and Richard Patterson, Leslie Clark, Claire, Judith York Newman, Jan and Larry Hoffman and Pam and Tom of the Blue Parrot and their lovely staff - Sherry Stevens

All is well in the Riviera Maya after Dean!

Hurricane Dean made landfall well south of the Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. We had a little wind and rain, nothing more. We are sunny and blue skies again, Come join us!- Sherry

Please see the below article published by BBC NEWS earlier today. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6955163.stm

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6955163.stm

Published: 2007/08/21 12:25:08 GMT

© BBC MMVII

Hurricane Dean hits Mexico coast
The storm is expected to cause widespread flooding
Dean hits Mexico 
Hurricane Dean has struck Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula near the border with Belize, bringing driving winds and lashing rain.
Cancun and other tourist resorts were spared a direct hit as the storm came ashore at 0330 (0830 GMT) about 40 miles (65km) north-east of Chetumal.

The storm has weakened to Category Three, with winds of 125mph (205km/h) as it crosses land.

It could strengthen when it hits sea again after crossing the Yucatan.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Florida said the eye of the storm had made landfall near the town of Majahual.

At 1200 GMT the centre of the storm had moved inland about 40 miles (65km) north-west of Chetumal, travelling west at about 20mph (62km/h).

‘Windows shattered’

Last-minute evacuations took place along the coast as Dean was expected to bring a heavy flood surge.
The NHC said the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize as well as Guatemala and northern Honduras could expect heavy rainfall which could cause flash floods and landslides.

Tens of thousands of tourists have been evacuated from resorts in the Yucatan but many others are still there, huddling in shelters.

The resorts have been boarded up and offshore oil facilities are closed but there is concern for residents of poor communities living in flimsy homes.

Andrea Montalvo, of the US-based Spanish-language Telemundo television network, said the storm was wreaking havoc in the Mexican city of Chetumal.

“Inside the hotel it is really bad, every 10 or 15 minutes you can hear windows shattering and people are coming out of their rooms in panic,” she said.
 
City officials said there were power outages as the wind knocked over trees and sent debris flying through the air.

Ernesto Calzada from Quintana Roo radio and TV told the BBC: “I looked out of my office window and saw an enormous tree close by topple over.”

Further south, in Belize City, officials closed the hospitals and urged people to head inland, saying the town’s shelters were not strong enough to withstand the hurricane.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who is attending a trade summit in Canada, said that he would leave on Tuesday after a meeting with his US and Canadian counterparts.

Looting fears

The hurricane has already claimed at least 11 lives in the eastern Caribbean, but largely spared the low-lying Cayman Islands on Monday.
Cancun and other popular Mexican resorts are escaping a “direct hit” but that has not stopped around two-thirds of Cancun’s tourists leaving the area.

Some holidaymakers camped overnight at Cancun’s airport to find a flight while others were turned away.

Police officers have been deployed to prevent looting while residents boarded up their homes ahead of the storm.

Mexico’s state-oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, has evacuated its workers and shut down production on the offshore rigs.

The hurricane is moving steadily west over the Yucatan and may regain strength when it hits sea again over the Bay of Campeche on Tuesday night, the NHC said.
It is due to hit Mexico’s coast for a second time near Tampico in the state of Veracruz.

Dean is expected to be less damaging than the Category Five Hurricane Wilma in 2005, which lingered over the Yucatan for a day, killing 10 people and wrecking large areas of Cancun.

Category Five storms are rare - only three have hit the US since record-keeping began.

In the US, the return of the space shuttle Endeavour was brought forward by a day, to Tuesday, in an attempt to beat the hurricane should it eventually reach Texas, where Nasa’s mission control is based.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6955163.stm

Published: 2007/08/21 12:25:08 GMT

© BBC MMVII

Best Beer in the …

Living in a country with the native language being different than your own can be a challenge and entertaining.

Not just another big fish story - Snorkeling with the Whale Sharks

Before I moved to Playa del Carmen,Mexico I had never even heard of whale sharks.  Last year I had the unique opportunity to actually snorkel with them. 

My day began at the uncomfortably early hour of 3:00 am.  I was instructed to meet our local guide, Jason, at 3:30 am at a local hotel for our trip to Holbox Island and the Gulf of Mexico (not all tours depart at this time).  After sleepy introductions were made with my fellow whale shark ‘hunters’, a group of 8 from Colorado, we loaded into the van and began our journey to the other side of the Yucatan peninsula. 

The van was quiet and cool, and we all dozed during the 3 hour drive.  We woke to the sun rising as we reached the coastal town of Chiquila.  From the dock in Chiquila we boarded a speed boat for the trip to Holbox Island.  Once on Holbox, Jason checked in with our guide, Roberto, to obtain our permits while the rest of us used the time to stretch our legs, grab a ham and cheese croissant and use the facilities.  I headed straight for the coffee. 

We hopped back aboard the speed boat and we’re on our way.  During the 1.5-2 hour ride, Roberto gave us an informative talk on the whale sharks we hoped to see, as well as instructions on how we were allowed to interact with them.  We would be allowed to enter the water, two at a time, with our guide.  We would not be allowed to touch them or swim underneath them.  These rules were developed in an effort to cause as little stress to the whale sharks as possible and any breach of the rules could result in our tour being stopped. 

As we sped along the green waters of the Gulf, we all kept our eyes open for the other marine life that is frequently seen along the way.  Our group was elated to spot several wild dolphins as well as a manta ray.  Truly an added bonus! 

It wasn’t long and we got word to start watching for whale sharks!!!  Until that moment I hadn’t really given much thought to what I was about to do.  I was about to jump into the water with a shark.  Not just any shark, but a shark the size of a whale!  Even though I knew I would not be in any danger, I was more than a little anxious when our first whale shark was spotted.  This yellow-spotted fish seemed as large as our boat!

The boat maneuvered into position and I watched as the first group donned their masks and fins and entered the water.  The smiles on the faces of the other guests as they emerged from the water was enough to quell my fears and turn up my excitement. 

My turn, and I’m ready to go!  I lower myself into the water as Roberto reached for my hand.  Together we swam toward the enormous creature.  Had I not had my teeth firmly sunk into my snorkel, my jaw would have surely dropped in awe.  We kicked hard to keep up with the shark, but it was as if Roberto and I moved in slow motion as the whale shark swam effortlessly by.  My memories of this first encounter play like still photographs in my mind; the large, wide mouth, the deep blackness of its eye, the gaping gills so large they seemed as though I could swim right through them.  A flick of the tail fin and it was gone. 

For a couple of hours we motored around, stopping to snorkel with several different whale sharks, each of us having three or four chances to swim join them in the water.  All too soon it was time to say good bye to the whale sharks and make our return trip to Playa. 

The drive back was quiet as most of the other guests slept.  I was too exhilarated to sleep and chose to relive this once in a lifetime experience of swimming with the whale sharks. 

 - Tyra Hamilton

Whale sharks migrate to the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula during the months of June to September.  For more information about whale shark tours:  http://www.travelrm.com/activities/whale-shark-adventure-seasonal/.  For general information about the whale shark:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark.  Drawing by Robbie Cada, http://www.fishbase.org/; Photographs courtesy of Jason Sartain

One of the Many Celebrations in Mexico, Dia de la Santa Cruz

While wandering around Playa del Carmen, you can not help but notice construction here, there and everywhere. We are growing like a weed. I began to notice crosses on the top of most construction sites and finally had to find out what it symbolized! Mexico is known for its celebrations and abundant holidays. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone to the bank to find out it was closed for a holiday that I had never known about.

The crosses on the top of buildings in progress were to celebrate the DIA DE LA SANTA CRUZ (Day of the Holy Cross). It is celebrated on May 3rd.

This day is celebrated as the day of the bricklayers and the builders. On May 3rd the construction workers build altars to the cross, adorn them with flowers, sails and sometimes streamers of many colors. The construction workers work half day, and most likely celebrate and enjoy the second half of the day work free! 

The crosses are made with scraps from the construction site. The cross is placed in the highest point of the site. As soon as the cross is installed the holiday begins. In many cases, the acquaintances and family members of the workers are invited to celebrate the day.  They share in fun and a meal such as fried pork, corn stew and tamales. 

The crosses stay up long enough for people like me to wonder what they mean. This country has so many celebrations and traditions. As I continue to learn more and more about this country, I will share it with you. - Sherry

Drinking Water in Mexico

It is true, “Don’t drink the water in Mexico”, the TAP water that is. No one drinks it. Here is a little inside scoop on my personal routine of obtaining the “liquid of life” in Mexico.

Tourists have nothing to worry about. Purified water is easily accessible in rental properties and hotels. On the other hand, for locals, if you have a car and the build of a Pro Football Player, you can easily get your large bottles of drinking water at any grocery or most quick marts. For the rest of us, the darn things are heavy! You really don’t want to carry one very far unless you are training for the Olympics.

One of the things we locals have to contend with is listening for the “water guys”. There are 2 companies that sell water in Playa del Carmen, Electropura and Cristal. The vendors circulate throughout the neighborhoods on tricycle carts or a company truck, selling water. The best part is that they each have their own style of melodic warning to let you know they are near by if you need a refill. I tend to buy from the guys on tricycle carts because it feels good to lighten their load that they are peddling around. As they ride around, they blurt out with their personalized inflection, “A-G-U-A-A-A-A!” (water) usually rotating in the name of the company they represent… ” E-L-E-C-T-R-O-P-U-R-A-A-A!”
One of the challenges is catching them when they are on your street.
If you are low on drinking water and happen to be in the shower with a thick lather of shampoo on your head when you happen to hear the water guy calling outside… if desperate, you may chose to jump out of the shower and run to the closest window and shout back, “AGUA!!!” This is the signal to them that you need a bottle and they promptly bring the water to your door.

Meet Hermenegildo Sanchez Ramiro, MY WATER GUY who always keeps me well stocked on water. He uses an old squeeze horn that he beeps in between his personalized shout out of… “A-G-U-A-A-A-A!”.If you have an empty bottle to exchange, it costs $21 pesos (Less than $2 US). If you do not have a bottle to exchange, it costs around $70 pesos (Less than $7 US).
I have been lucky to devise a system with Hermenegildo so that I never run out of water. I have 3 bottles so that I always have a full back-up. I put my empty bottle outside my door with coins inside along with a small tip and he replaces it even when I am not at home. It works like a charm. He usually makes 2 rounds a day through my neighborhood.

A “water guy” is a part of  life here. No one drinks the tap water here. But don’t worry, you will NOT find a restaurant in Playa del Carmen that would serve someone tap water. Even if it comes in a glass, I can assure you it came from a bottle. Business owners would never want a visitor to have a bad experience. We are all proud of this country and want visitors to enjoy themselves. But if you are still concerned, just ask for bottled water (botella de agua). Also know that the ice is always made with good purified bottled water as well. Another common question I have been asked by visitors is, “Do you brush your teeth with bottled water?” For the record, I have always brushed my teeth with the tap water and I am still alive but, if concerned you can always have bottled water by the sink.

I have to admit that the sounds of the streets in Mexico are something I truly cherish. If they ever replaced some of these vendors with more sophisticated methods, it would be disappointing. In addition to the water vendors, other familiar sounds on the local streets are the gas trucks that sell tanks of natural gas. They have a “Gas song” that blares from a speaker on the truck. I think most locals could sing the gas song or at least hum the tune if asked. The knife sharpener guy has a beautiful whistle that he uses to let people know he is available for sharpening. Although I have never used him to sharpen a knife, I love the sound of his flute-like whistle that he uses to promote himself. Life in Mexico! - Sherry

Note: After posting this and discussing it with local friends, some told me that they do not brush their teeth with the tap water. I did not want to imply that my choice to do so was necessarily typical. I will also add that as a general rule in Mexico for the local Mexicans and foreigners alike, we are recommended to take a de-parasite/lombrices pill every 6 months as a part of general health maintenance. If you visit Mexico and desire to take a similar treatment, they are easily found over the counter here. Daxon and Vermox are two names of brands you could buy.

Live music in the street to benefit local children

Last night April 14th I went to a local benefit with incredible live music. A wonderful non-profit organization here in Playa del Carmen, Mexico was raising money for 12 children needing open heart surgery that, for one reason of another, would never be eligible for the surgery here in Mexico. The organization is called Angel Notion and the band who traveled great distance to donate their entertainment was Paris Delane’s Tye Dye Skye of Chicago IL. with special guest Red Eye & Freemont Jackson from Mexico City. (Go ahead, google them… you will love them!) They set up a stage in the center of town (Calle 12 & 1st Ave.) for everyone to enjoy.
Establishments located near the stage that participated were Karta Bar, El Cielo and Diablitos cha cha cha. It was a great time with a whole lot of dancing in the streets. Our community of Mexicans and foreign locals come together to make some good things happen here.

This particular fund raiser was for 12 specific children needing open heart surgery in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. All 12 have been diagnosed in the last 8 months! If you can imagine your child being diagnosed with a heart defect at birth but you have no options of saving your
child’s life… This is the circumstances that these 12
local Mexican families have come up against. The good news
is that 4 of the children have already been sponsored!
It costs around $13,500 US dollars to take care of
the expenses for one child.The organization has worked hard
to get support in the medical field that has made it possible
to bring down the total cost for each child. Before the event
they needed at least $108,000 US more.

Donation jars were circulating through the crowd all night. VIP tables with food and drinks included were sold to groups of 10. Everyone was welcome despite the level of donation. Some large local companies and organizations have made the
kick-off to raising money for this group of 12 a bit easier. Xcaret has sponsored Jolet, Calica has sponsored Sammy, Bernie from El faro hotel has sponsored Jesus and The city of Playa Del Carmen has sponsored Jose Luis from the Zona Maya.

During one of the band breaks, some of the families came to stand on stage,
some with the children in need. One mother (in the pink pants) spoke to the crowd (in Spanish of course) and cried while asking for help. It was a moment I am sure none of us will forget.

They are needing help to sponsor the other 8 children who
are desperately holding their breath for a chance to live.
If for any reason you want to support this wonderful organization
please go to their website to make a donation. www.angelnotion.org. It is tax deductible in the US and Mexico. If anyone is interested in seeing the general clinic on your next trip to Playa del Carmen, I am sure they would welcome your presence! The clinic is located in Nicte-ha, on the north end of Playa del Carmen just past the Colosio.

Thank you to Lavonna Redman, the founder and hard working volunteer of the Angel Notion organization. She is truly an “Angel”!

If I can get an update on the amount of money they raised last night I will update my post! - Sherry

Kool Beach Club on Tucan Beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

There is a lot of beach on this amazing coastline of the Riviera Maya. Most beaches are public so you will not have a problem finding a spot you like. If you are willing to pay a few dollars for a fancy chair it gets even better! We want to share with you “Kool”, as it is called, a great new beach club located on what is called Tucan Beach in Playa del Carmen.

If you take calle (street) 28 and wiggle a little bit down to the beach it will be on your right side as you arrive to the beach. It is tucked back a little bit behind some of the more publicly placed beach chairs. If you want to treat yourself and find a wonderful gourmet fusion menu and comfy big bed lounge platforms to relax on while enjoying the Caribbean, this is a great place to go. There is a beautiful pool and lounge bar & restaurant with great ambiance and music by D.J. Marvin.

The menu is unlike most beach spots offering more than just the typical burger and fries. They have a great selection of sushi , as well as, other delicious options: octopus carpaccio, tuna steaks, New York Strip with mango sauce, couscous salad as well as many other typical dishes and Premium beverages. Don’t worry, picky eaters will find something simple to enjoy as well. Dish prices range from $100 pesos - $250 pesos. (Approx. $10 - $25 US) This would be a spectacular spot for a group of friends to hang out for the day! They offer discounts to college students and they do accept Credit Cards! (Visa and Mastercard).
Cloth lounge beds in the pool area are for rent for the day for approx. $120 pesos and others plastic chairs in the beach area are approx. $40 pesos.

You will also find a variety of activities to do on this beach including diving, catamaran sailing, wind surfing and more.

My personal photos are not doing it justice! I will try to post better photos as soon as I have a better photo session. - Sherry
Hours: 8:30 am- 12:00 am. Monday to Sunday
Cloth lounge beds in the pool area are for rent for the day for approx. $120 pesos and others plastic chairs in the beach area are approx. $40 pesos.
Location: Calle (Street) 28 & Zona Federal Maritima (the beach).
Phone: 984-803-1961
Website: http://www.koolrivieramaya.com/ At the time I posted this, they seem to still be working on their site. Hopefully it will be up and running with all services and details listed soon.