There is a québécois expression that says, “changer le mal de place.” Literally, it means relocating the hurt. More figuratively, it means taking a break from a tedious routine. Having had a few tough work days, knowing that the week ahead is going to be brutal, and being blessed with easy files for today, I decided to take a long lunch break in Maz.
How wonderful it is for the city to be so close by that I can get there, meander around, have a meal, shop, and be home in just two and a half hours!
This was the first time that I went out with several stops in mind and didn’t at least glance at a map before leaving. I know where everything is now and actually getting quite good at finding the most direct route between A and B.
My first stop was the Santander bank in front of the Cathedral on Angel Flores. A few donations and an unexpected prepayment on a translation project meant that I could take out 1,000 pesos, which will go a very long way if this past month is any proof of that. I still had 200 pesos from my early January withdrawal!
From the bank, I went to Olas Altas to get sushi, but, alas, they were closed. 🙁 It was past 1:30, so I was quite surprised. I decided to instead check out a recommended burger joint, but they, too, were closed! Since I was in the Plazuela Machado area and have been craving chocolate for days, I decided to get dessert first and stopped in at the gelateria where 25 pesos got me a teeny scoop of craving busting goodness.
I then headed out towards the Mercado and decided to try lunch at Panamá’s bakery, which looks a lot like a Smitty’s restaurant or a Denny’s, a very Ameri-dian diner-style spot. I was given both a Spanish and English menu and had time to compare them.
As suspected, they were quite different, with the English menu omitting many of the Mexican dishes and adding more American dishes. The average price point on the English menu was also higher than on the Spanish one. I ordered the chicken enchiladas with creamy green sauce from the Spanish menu, hoping that they would be similar to the ones I had in Texas.
Unfortunately, no. And the Texas ones were actually much more authentic Mexican fare than Panamá’s version, which were rather bland and featured processed American cheese!
Now, don’t get me wrong, the meal was fine. The sauce, while not super flavourful, was good and the roasted chicken filling was incredibly satisfying. Add in the huge helping of beans and I was stuffed. The meal was worth the 83 pesos I paid (plus tip), but it wasn’t one I’ll repeat.
It was getting close to two by this point, so I decided to head home by way of Ley. I really didn’t need anything, but I keep going to Ley in the hopes that they’ll have restocked an incredible all natural pineapple-coconut yoghurt I got there way back in late November or December. Today, they finally had some!
My knee was really bothering me today, so I decided to go home by Zaragoza rather than Leandro Valle, but then decided to instead meander through the small streets to create a more direct route to the embarcadero. That worked splendidly and I really enjoyed making my way through a warren of narrow cobblestone streets, so reminiscent of ancient Scottish cities, to emerge right in front of the entrance to the dock.
I spent just under 200 pesos today on public transportation, lunch, dessert, and groceries. Mexico continues to be incredibly affordable and I have succeeded in ‘changer le mal de place.’ Now, back to work. It’ll be a bit of a marathon session!
I think this Winter is the best time you have had since you started this big adventure in 2008!
I am glad you have gotten more work. I was sorry the good paying one didn’t work out, but I guess that’s life.
Enjoy!
Norma, you are right! Best six months of my LIFE so far!!!!!!!!!! Even better than my first Klondike summer, believe it or not!
As for the good paying contract, I refuse to take abuse at any price. I’d rather have my dignity than a fat bank account.
Rea, if you can find it essential lavender oil may help your knee. Rub 3-4 drops on 4-6 times a day. It helped my neighbor that is a delivery guy. His elbo was really giving him a lot of trouble, being an ex-jock. He really didn’t think it would help when I gave him a bottle but it did.
Nancy, thanks for the suggestion but, really, I’ve tried everything. The joint is malformed and there is very little cartilage, so I’ve got bone rubbing on bone. Now that I’ve got so much weight off, I’m going to see about getting referred to an orthopedic surgeon for some options, like a brace. Amazingly enough, the knee situation hasn’t gotten better with the weight loss. 🙁
Bone on bone = knee replacement. Honestly, the only pain free option.
As to lunch today, have you tried the Beach Burger ( Plazuela Machado )……best burgers in town for 70 pesos or less complete with fries and lots of great nachos to start. I haven’t met anyone who eats at Panama. It is the place to buy pastries. Also you MUST try Tony’s in the mercado for his burgers, meat or shrimp @ 60 pesos…..so many choices so little time 🙂
Knee: Yes, replacement. Have been told I need to wait, much too young for one.
Beach Burger: It’s where I went. It was closed.
Panamá: I was curious and like to make up my own mind. Pastries there are awesome.
My brother needed two knee replacements and like you was told over and over that he was too young and the knees would wear out before he died. Then they switched tactics and started telling him that he was too old and probably could not handle the invasive surgery.
Croft, if my dad was able to get a knee replacement quickly in QC, then anything is possible! He was obese and in poor general health.
My experience with our crappy healthcare system is that you have to be persistent and ready to waste a lot of time to get the answer you want.
When I was finally in a good place to get my breast reduction, I had to visit countless GPs at walk in clinics over the span of a year. If I remember correctly, I spent about 20 days that year waiting at clinics before I got one who was willing to refer me to a plastic surgeon.
I kept being told that I just needed to lose weight (which wouldn’t have affect my chest size in the least) or that I didn’t need the surgery. I kept at it and when the plastic surgeon saw me, she was appalled and I was on the table within a year (average weight time in QC for the surgery was FIVE years!).
So if I do ever choose to get this done, it will get done. I’m just not in a good place for it to happen right now.
Must be an older Dr who told you that. When I had my first hip replaced I was the one who said I was too young and my MD said they start at 40!”Too bad about Beach Burger…..best save it for Friday, Feb, 6th, the Plazuela will be rocking because of Art Walk.
I’ve never had a choice of doctors and have always been lucky to even get the odd one who didn’t just dismiss me as a hypochondriac wasting taxpayer time, so I didn’t pursue it much. Anyway, I can’t consider a replacement now, can’t afford the convalescence, never mind whatever bit of the surgery that won’t be covered by SaskHealth, and that’s if they even agree to cover part of it. It’s just not a realistic plan right now.
I’ll have to see what that Art Walk thing is all about.
Knee replacement in Mexico? It may be cheaper than in Canada and they will do it without any long wait.
Ed, I had the same thought! On top of surgery costs, I’d have lost wages, so I’d be better off somewhere with a lower cost of living. I would also need to rent a place near the doctor where I would have access to public transport since I wouldn’t be able to drive. Finally, I would need to hirer a carer for the first few weeks. So if I ever do manage to get confirmation that I need this surgery, getting it in Mexico would most likely make the best sense.