Snorkelling

This post is being added long after we have returned home, but there is a story that just hasn't yet been told.

When we arrived at Hotel Villa Kiin, we (of course) immediately noticed a large, shallow, and crystal clear lagoon right in front of the hotel. It didn't take us long to start wading around. As we approached the hotel on the other side, the water was just over waist deep. We were amazed to find the beginnings of a small reef and schools (hundreds) of fish circling around us.

Within a couple of days I had bought a snorkelling mask of my own and was even more amazed at what I found when I entered the water. I also took note that boats were regularly anchoring on North Beach and groups of people were walking over here for the experience. These were paying customers.

Debby was able to experience the fish swimming around her, but could not see any detail. I decided to visit a nearby dive shop and rent a full face snorkelling mask. She was willing to try and was amazed at what she could see. I held her arm as she swam, and guided her to where the fish were. Her excitement was palpable.

The very next day I went and bought her a mask of her own so she could try it out whenever she wanted. She wasn't comfortable on her own but was excited to go out with me. 

Walking by the dive shop, Debby had to go in and share her excitement. The owners were pleased to introduce her to Bob Frank (Scuba Bob) a few days later. Bob is the supplier of the Aria Ocean Reef mask and he was very excited because he is promoting the product for people with disabilities. He first asked if he could film Debby's story, then if he could put the video on his Facebook page. He gave a mask to me so that we could share the experience.

This is a screen grab from Deb's video. If you click the link below you will find the whole thing on Facebook

Debby's Face Mask

Our Camping Trip

March the first was our day to return home. We finished packing in the morning and took a taxi to the ferry terminal just before noon. Debby's white cane allowed us to bypass the long line and to get first choice of seats on the upper level. A guitarist played as we headed across to Cancun.

Many Different Blues

Our taxi ride to the airport was long and involved. An accident on the main route forced the driver to try several alternatives before finding a route that worked.

There were no further complications at the airport, but we did discover that we would be catching a connecting flight in Charlotte, North Carolina, not Philadelphia as we had thought. We were expected to arrive in Toronto at 12:17 AM on March the second, a fairly long trip, but bearable.

Once in the air on the way to Charlotte, the pilot began by telling us that the winds at our destination were very strong, so he was expecting a rough ride. At about the time we should have been landing he again got on the PA to explain that Charlotte was not accepting any flights and that he was circling over South Carolina waiting for further instructions.

The next time we heard from the pilot, it was to discover that we were flying to Jacksonville Florida where we would have to deplane and clear American customs. Once on the ground we were told that the Charlotte airport was now accepting planes, so we would merely refuel and then head to North Carolina.

We arrived in the airport in Charlotte shortly after midnight (Now March 2), about the same time our connecting flight was landing in Toronto. Oops.

We were able to rebook for 10:15 PM (Mar 2), but we were stuck overnight. The agent who rebooked us gave us a phone number to call to obtain a cheap hotel room. The number answered with a message that simply said there were no rooms available. A direct line to nearby hotels provided exactly the same information many times over.

Another agent told us that they were providing cots for people who were stuck in one of the departures lounges.To get there, though, we would have to pass through a security check. In the process, the security agents were very polite, but a lady behind us objected when Deb explained that her pump could not go through the x-ray. She grumbled that everything had to go through and Deb almost bit her head off. Her pump did not go through the x-ray.

Deb Enjoying Her Camping Trip

Once inside, we went to find Departure Lounge D, but we delayed too long before getting in line for our cots. We were handed a package with a blanket and a pillow just before we were told that there were no more cots available. Of course we grumbled, but there was nothing to be done.

Now begins the story of two young men we met. As we were turning away without a cot, one young man asked what was wrong and then offered us his cot. Of course we did not accept his offer, but we thanked him profusely and moved on.

We found a space where we could settle in, Deb on a chair with her feet on her carryon bag and me on the floor. Opposite us, another young man sat on a chair with his feet resting on a cot. Beside this young man, an elderly man with white hair settled to sleep on the floor. Deb put on her eyepatch and I put on a sleep mask. I managed to get some sleep, but Deb did not. She explained in the morning the the young man opposite us had never slept on his cot, merely used it as a footrest.

One young man offered us his cot. One young man used his cot as a footrest. One was a black man and one was a white man. I'll leave it to you to guess which was which.

In the morning we went to a ticket agent and were able to change to an earlier flight. By travelling first to Orlando and then to Toronto, we moved our arrival forward by seven hours. The flight to Toronto was on Westjet and we were upgraded to Plus (First Class). The seats were bigger with more legroom. They fed us a full meal and they gave us alcohol. It was a good way to end our trip, arriving about 5:30 in the evening (March 2).

One last ride on a Century van brought us home and Lily had food on the stove ready to turn on.

What is Wrong With the Pump?

We did not visit a doctor or a hospital. Shortly after arriving at Hotel Villa Kiin, Deb's blood sugars started to climb. Most readings were between 25 and 30 (5 is the ideal). Because we did not trust the pump (hose), we dealt with this by using needles to administer boluses for two days. The needles brought the blood sugar levels down each time, but never enough. They rebounded to unacceptable levels because we were relying on the pump between needles. For those two days, we were testing and administering insulin every two or three hours. It was not helping so we started to make plans for a return to Canada. We both know that extended high readings bring a risk of falling into a diabetic coma, for which hospitalization would definitely be required.

Deb spent most of this time in bed.

Then we both realized at about the same time that the pump did not seem to be providing the continuous basal rate of insulin necessary to keep the blood sugar relatively constant. I checked the pump menu to find that it still contained 49 units of insulin. Deb took a more direct route and actually removed the insulin cartridge. It was empty.

For two days, the pump thought it was giving her insulin, but it was not.  It was an error in the pump itself.

Deb refilled the pump and it started working correctly. Her readings came down to normal levels and she immediately started to feel better. In the end she was able to reuse the hoses without any problem. She has an appointment with her diabetic team shortly after our return home. Then maybe we will figure out what happened to the pump.

Now, about a month later, the pump has been working perfectly. She recently changed the insulin cartridge in her pump. To do so she has to draw the insulin from a full insulin vial, which is exactly what she thought she was doing. In truth, she was drawing the insulin from an empty vial and couldn’t see the difference. She filled the pump with air and it didn’t working correctly.

She now believes thet this is exactly what happened when we were away. The pump was not to blame. Her vision was at fault.

Diabetic Supplies

A story remains to be told. Comments were not made as we were dealing with this situation, because we were busy dealing with this situation.

Way back when (about a week after arriving in Mexico), Deb discovered that she did not have all of the pump supplies that she needs for the month. Missing were a few of the hoses which connect her pump to her insertion site. She was good for another week and then she would have to begin reusing the hoses that she did have (not recommended).

None of the pharmacies nearby carried pump supplies so a phone call was made to Animas in Canada. Jennifer (at Animas) informed us that they did not sell their gear in Mexico, nor could they ship gear to Mexico. The only possible solution might be for them to ship the material to our home and have someone there repackage and send it to us. Go for it.

A phone call to Lily and another to Jim Hall set it up. The manager of Maria's Kan Kin agreed to bring the package to our new hotel when it arrived. All set, right.

Not so. The package arrived in Cancun after we had moved, but it was held up in customs. Apparently a special form is required to clear medical supplies. A customs specialist from FedEx became involved, but she couldn't get the clearance required. I called the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City and was told that it would be impossible to clear the package. The form required would have to to have been approved before it was even sent.

In the end, the supplies were returned to Canada via UPS. FedEx paid for the return but did not pass this cost along to me. It only cost me $160.

Deb was placed in a potentially life-threatening situation. The best advice that the embassy could give was that she might have to see a local doctor or check into a local hospital. Oh well.

Working Boats

Everywhere we have eaten on this island, the seafood has been amazing. For this reason, it was absolutely necessary to add some shots of the fishing boats pulled up onto the sand of the "People's Beach".

Carnaval de Isla Mujeres

For the last five days of our stay it was carnaval. Every night the parties went into the wee hours of the morning. These were local events, but everyone was welcome. The truth is, though, that we are no longer very good at dealing with "the wee hours".

During the days, music and groups of dancers were popping up and drawing crowds all over town.

Costumes on Stage

In the Street

Deb & Friend

In a Hotel Lot

At "The People's Beach"

Centro (East)

The taxi ride to "The Soggy Peso" had not been long so we decided to walk back home along the western shore of the island, facing first the large lagoon, and then open water. Hundreds of pleasure boats gradually gave way to a working area with many fishing boats pulled up to the beach.

Back in Centro (the town), we decided to cross over to the Eastern side of the island. We were quite surprised at how close it was. Here we found a gabion wall protecting a wide and almost deserted pedestrian walkway. The water was much rougher, but still there were small protected beaches here and there. Some would not have been easy to get to.

Protected From the Surf

Just before we arrived at our hotel, we had to cross over a very rough and rocky section of the shore. Deb was very relieved to step onto the beach of our very own little lagoon.

Sunset Grill

We had been informed that one of the best places to eat was "The Soggy Peso". They prepare only one meal per day and the continue to seat people until they run out. Others from Hotel Villa Kiin had been there and they raved about it. So....

Here we are on the dock at The Soggy Peso.

Unfortunately, the only item on the menu for tonight is a "Cheeseburger in Paradise". We didn't come to Mexico to eat cheeseburgers, so ...

Moving on!

Luckily, just seconds before our taxi had stopped, we passed another restaurant called the Sunset Grill. Walking back less than a block brought us to this restaurant which had been equally highly recommended.

Here of course we found a beautiful sunset.

We almost didn't get down to the dock on time.

The dinner was wonderful. A grilled octopus was crispy and a little bit crunchy on the tips. The larger portions were tender and juicy. The flavours were incredible.