Day 19: Merida - Grampies' Poc Chuc Pursuit Winter 2021 - CycleBlaze

December 12, 2021

Day 19: Merida

With  most cycling  blogs even when the pedals stop turning, we get to read some pieces of denoument as the travelers return home, and their bikes do too, or not. So we'll continue writing here for a bit, even though we are clearly going nowhere, by bike anyway.

A fair few people suggested we should still hang out here in the sun. Since we have already escaped Winter, why waste it? It's tempting, but we feel Dodie now needs to sit by her own fire and be in her own bed. 

The first step was to get her out of the hospital. This morning they were still putting pain killer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biotic in her IV, so it seemed maybe she should stay. But the doctor mainly converted these to oral prescriptions, so there was no reason not to walk out. Except of course for the bill. 

In every country where Cycleblazers roam, this will play out a little differently, but our example could be instructive, or maybe a little amusing.  I will try to put it in a compact form, but each twist of this story took time:

When  we first arrived we were asked for a deposit of 10,000 pesos, which we paid by Visa. We were also told that the doctors were paid separately, by cash only.  OK. Today we saw the actual figures: General doctor 500 pesos, orthopedic specialist 2500 pesos, Xray, Cat Scan etc. 10,200 pesos, hospital day rate 1200 pesos, plus medicines, materials, etc. totaling with the day rate, 4700 pesos.  

So the total job was $17,900 pesos (about $CAN 1250). "Here's 3000 pesos cash  for the doctors, and with the 10,000 peso deposit, I still owe 4,900 pesos, so here's my Visa card and we're done. Right? " "Not so fast!"

Here are the various cuckoo glitches they seemed to invent one after another:

The x-ray part is a separate division, you have to pay them separately. They only take checks, by the way.

The main hospital bill is less than the deposit, so while a refund may be due, we only do it by check. The check will take 7 days to prepare and you have to come back to pick it up.

"Maybe we could refund to a debit card. Do you have a debit card? ""Yes!, up in room, I'll be back".  "Ok, here's my debit card, let's get on with it". 

"OK, we decided maybe we can refund with cash, but first you have to pay the x-ray.  X-ray is in a different building."  At x-ray : "Do you happen to have a bank statement we can see?  No? Can we see a debit card? Yes? Ok, forget it. " Is this credit card a credit card or a debit card?".

Back to main admin: "Sign here for the cash".  "Can you bring us the TV controller and AC controller? " Ok, here is your "Exit  Pass" - stamped, initialed, dated, signed. Give it to the nurse as your ticket to freedom.

To nurse: "here is my "Contrasena de Salida", we're out of here." "Whoa, wait, your 11x14 or bigger folder of original xrays. Sign this form saying you received them. Now sign our giant historical leger book, saying we gave them to you.  And here is a Pagare for you." "What's a Pagare?" "It's a bill" "A bill for what?" "Ok its a receipt" "A receipt for what?" "Ok, you don't need it, do you want us to rip it up for you?" "Oy, gevalt!"

The doctor also provided extensive hand written case notes and instructions for Dodie, and prescriptions for pain killer and antibiotics. With that Dodie walked out on her own steam, to our refuge a block away.

I was sent out for the drugs. First pharmacy, closed on Sunday, second had neither of these common items, and third time almost lucky. I came home and Dodie pointed out I had been given a box of 10 pills, but the prescription was for 2 per day for 7 days. 2x7=14! and with antibiotics you never stop short. Back I went, and the "pharmacist" produced a second box of 10, for a second 362 pesos! "2x7=14" I said. "20 is easily 14" she said. "This sure is not Canada", I thought, and slunk off.

The man (tour guide) who first stopped at the accident scene, and who gave me his card, is going to drive us tomorrow eve to Cancun, and Jorge, at the B&B where we first stayed will receive us.

Next step will be to try to arrange changed flights, bearing in mind the Canadian negative covid test within 72 hours of flying rule. By the time we arrange the test, and fly, it will be next Friday at the earliest. So there is still time in paradise, which we will spend folding and wrapping bikes and looking for tests. But we could manage to test positive, which would put us in indefinite quarantine indoors in paradise. errrph.

Rate this entry's writing Heart 12
Comment on this entry Comment 10
Scott AndersonGreat news that you’ve found a ride to Cancun, and that Dotie could walk out on her own. This all sounds like as good a report as we could hope to hear, except the hassle and pesos.
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Andrea BrownDodie sounds like she has all of her marbles if she can figure out the number of pills needed vs. what she got. I barely can manage that sort of thing even in normal times.

I had to go to a hospital in Danang, Vietnam for a minor surgery on my hand that had some sort of infection/boil thing on it. We had to go to a nearby pharmacy for dressing materials which were only sold in Costco-sized quantities. I think we still have some of that around. It was quite an experience, but of course nothing on the scale of a broken arm and a head injury. Dodie, you are badass.

https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/tomorrow1616/dang-you-danang/
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Bruce Lellman"With that Dodie walked out on her own steam.".....music to my ears. I'm kind of glad you are going to be there a few more days because you probably need to decompress a bit. What an ordeal with the payment, etc.! Whew!

I'm so sorry your trip has gone awry but I have the feeling you will recover to ride another day. Good luck.
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Suzanne GibsonThat's actually a lot of good news, mixed in with the rough stuff. Glad you were able to get Dodie out of the hospital. Had a similar situation in France where my sister was hospitalized when a brain tumor was diagnosed. It was a terrible experience and we almost dispaired of getting her out of the hospital and back to the US. Anyway, good that Dodie is in good hands (yours) and I hope you can get the transportation back home organized without too much hassel.
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Ellen LeeI had a similar accident in 2016 in France, here is a quote from my journal: "But as I was going downhill all I could remember thinking was "the bike is a bit wobbly and I think I will just slow down a bit", I gently braked, then nothing. I saw blue lights and was on a gurney, then thought, oh now what happened and why am I in this ambulance?" It just happened and I have no recollection. So Dodie, I do feel for you!!! Safe trip home!!!
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Bill ShaneyfeltRelieved to hear things are sorting out.
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Rich FrasierThis sounds more encouraging. Dodie's pretty tough if she's walking out after one day in the hospital. She must be pretty banged up.
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Suzanne GibsonI have time to reply to comments since we are on hold with WestJet - now coming up to four hours!!

At least we are all packed and organized for our van trip to Cancun, which will be in 3 hours.
WestJet better hurry!
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Ardell SiegelOh my goodness! What a shock to catch up with you guys and get all of this news in one big jolt… I’m glad I missed a few days and could read straight through to the part where you’re packed up and headed to Cancun… I surely would’ve lost a night of sleep wondering about Dodie and that bloody head and arm injury… I concur with the bad ass comment… Seems to be very appropriate!! Here’s hoping the trip home goes as smoothly as possible and the healing is also trouble free and rapid. Please continue to update us when you can .. I am a true fan!
Reply to this comment
2 years ago
Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Ardell SiegelWe are just getting ready to go to the PCR test site. It will actually be our only time in actual Cancun (though not on the beach).
Reply to this comment
2 years ago