|
| Puerto Vallarta |
| May 1st
to 7th, 2004 |
From the Canadian Consulate
Re: The Temporary Importation Car Permit Crisis
Puerto Vallarta, April 29, 2004 - This morning there
was a meeting between this Consulate, Hacienda, Customs,
the American Consulate and immigration authorities.
Since last week, we have been in contact with the local
authorities and the Canadian Embassy has also been
in contact with the authorities in Mexico City. We
can assure everyone that we are trying to obtain clear
answers as we understood that -until now- anyone with
an FM3 could have a car from Canada or the States.
We were told by the local authorities this morning
that they received clear orders to remain on standby
and stop everything for the moment while the origin
of the crisis is being analyzed. Following this meeting,
we understand that the interpretation as to who is
entitled to have a car from Canada or United States
is unclear due to an interpretation of the customs
law. We would also like to clarify that, according
to Customs, 4 vehicles (2 Americans - 2 Canadians)
have been seized until now and, as we said earlier,
we should not be listening to everyone who has something
to say.
We were told that hopefully within the next 24 to
72 hours we will receive clear guidelines from Customs
authorities and we will stay in touch with them until
then. At this moment we believe we have done all we
could do and we need to wait to hear back from them.
There is nothing else that can be done. Everyone should
avoid using their cars in the meanwhile, stay calm
and wait to obtain an update from this Consulate or
from the authorities.
We strongly suggest that no one take any measures
until there are clear guidelines as nobody can provide
any solutions or suggest actions to take until such
guidelines are obtained.
Best Regards,
Lyne Benoit
Honorary Consul of Canada
Edificio
Obelisco , Local 108
Blvd.
Fco. Medina Ascencio #1951
Tel:
293 0098 / 293 0099
Fax: 293
2894
Email: vallarta@canada.org.mx
New Air Links for PV
According to Betty Fuentes, local manager of America
West, the airlines is presently handling 15 flights
a week to PV, but it foresees larger planes and direct
routes from Los Angeles and Phoenix flights to this
destination as well as an increase to 22 flights a
week for the summer.
For its part, Aero Calafia began
operating flights to PV from Los Cabos and Mazatlan
twice a week, using 10-14 passenger Cessnas. The inaugural
flight took place on April 2nd.
The
Miracle Team
By Cathy Gordon
This is a miracle story that
Vallarta's own Janine Joubert wishes be told not
only to express her extreme gratitude to the administrative
and medical staff of Centro Medico Quirurgico (CMQ
hospital), but also to inform all foreigners who
are concerned about the quality of care available
in Puerto Vallarta. "I would not
be here today telling this story if it weren't for
them," says Janine, a five-year resident who works
in Sales at the Sheraton.
 A car accident victim on Friday night, March 26, in
which the driver was killed, Janine was rushed via
Cruz Roja ambulance to the nearest hospital. She remembers
being told she was at CMQ but could be taken to any
hospital of her choice. She elected to remain since
her internist, Dr. Aldo Curiel, practiced there. Janine
will forever be thankful for making this decision.
Next she recollects being
in bed with people hovering over her. This was the "Miracle Team" called
in by Dr. Juan Trujillo, on duty that night. These
included gastroenterologist Dr. Rafael Lujan, cardiovascular
Surgeon Dr. Antonio Ramos, traumatologist/orthopedic
surgeon Dr. Gustavo Ramirez, neurosurgeon Dr. Luiz
Robles, and her internist, Dr.Aldo Curiel. Multiple
injuries included six inches of a shattered lower spine,
six broken ribs, a fractured scapula, possible internal
injuries and badly bruised lungs.
CMQ administrator Lic. Jorge Villanueva came in Saturday
to see how he could help and to contact Janine's family.
Even prior to verifying insurance coverage or guarantee
of payment for the necessary surgery, the urgently
needed titanium plates, screws and implants were ordered
from Guadalajara.
Sunday, with Drs. Robles and Ramirez in charge, Janine
underwent delicate reconstructive surgery of her spine.
Anesthesiologist Lizbeth Ramos, surgical Assistant
Martha Vizcarra, Dr. Ramirez's assistant Oscar Castillo,
and general nurse Isela Rosas were added to the team.
Six hours and seven units of blood later, Janine was
transferred to the ICU under the care of Dr. Curiel
and Dr. Jaime Castaneda. Five critical days were spent
intubated and on a ventilator. Four more units of blood
were used. Oscar and Isela moved her constantly to
prevent pneumonia. Seven more days were spent in the
ICU, off the ventilator, with inhalation therapist
Ruben Flores providing therapy until she was stable
enough to move to a private room.
 Rehab therapy commenced under rehabilitation and pain
specialist Dr.Luis Cedillo assisted by Isela, Oscar
and Adriana. A brace from her neck to below her waist
was provided to stabilize her back as they gradually
started her walking again.
Janine is forever indebted to this medical team and
to the ICU nurses, Isela, Nora, Erica, Louisa and Marisela.
Janine also thanks the two X-ray technicians, the administrative
staff, and all the other wonderful caring nurses who
took care of her - we wish we could name them all.
Lots of support also came from friends dropping by
which meant so much to her.
Lic. Jorge Villanueva spent a lot of time with Janine's
family who took turns flying out to be with her, taking
her mom to the American Consulate, helping them with
lawyers, insurance, paperwork, etc. and finding them
nearby economical accommodations.
Janine flew home to Shreveport,
LA with her sister Sari on Friday, April 23 rd ,
four weeks after the accident. Coordination between
the CMQ and LSU Medical Center will ensure continued
rehabilitation. Janine did not want to leave, yet
looked forward to being with her family. She promised
she would be back in a few months. "I almost died three times. God must
really want me here on earth." And evidently Puerto
Vallarta is Janine's idea of "here on earth"!
Tom's
Tidbits
By Tom Colvin
Both the Molina de Agua and the Camino Real hotels
have recently been sold.
The Camino Real will apparently
be converted into an all-inclusive resort - no word
yet how this will impact on the First Thursday concert
series of many years' standing. In my experience,
all-inclusives are very unfriendly to "outsiders."
Molina de Agua, which is right
by the southbound bridge over the Rio Cuale, will
change substantially, jeopardizing its garden breakfasts
with a live pianist providing nice music. The mayor
reported that he had been shown plans for a complete
redevelopment, featuring 8 "towers" with a total of 100 rooms. It
will be a condo/hotel. The mayor says the developer
will be saving some of the garden "feel" of
the place.
Other recent developments:
The Rex, formerly Planet Hollywood, is drawing young,
upscale crowds for its rather exotic Italian/Asian
fusion menu and incessant "house
music." Very interesting decor, with south Asian
influence. And Nikki Beach has opened a very nice beach
club on the grounds of the Westin Hotel in the Marina.
Unusual concept: huge beds and lots of pillows invite
a horizontally oriented clientele. And the Mayan Palace
at the Marina has a new club called Tribu.
Rotary Club Donates Thirty Wheelchairs
The International Wheelchair
Foundation in conjunction with the Rotary Club Puerto
Vallarta - Pitillal recently
held a press conference at City Hall to announce the
donation of 30 wheelchairs to handicapped residents
of this town. Representatives from the Spring Dale,
Rogers & Benton, Arkensas, chapters were present
as they assisted in ensuring the delivery of the wheelchairs
to PV.
At the event, Vallarta Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez also
announced that City Hall will begin the remodeling
of sidewalks to provide handicap access, with an investment
of $200,000. Pesos to start the works.
Sailors Renovate Paso Ancho School
Once again, thanks to the work of the Puerto Vallarta
chapter of the Navy League and the kind hearts of the
sailors of the USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), the school
in Paso Ancho received a brand new coat of paint. By
the time the work was done, it looked brand new.
It only took five hours for
more than forty sailors to finish the job, worthy
folks who donated their time instead of enjoying
a little R & R. After spending
eight months in the Persian Gulf last year, the USS
Fitzgerald returned to San Diego, CA. Puerto Vallarta
is the first port it has visited since leaving the
States.
Mention should also be made of the fact that the Paso
Ancho school itself was donated by members of the Puerto
Vallarta South Rotary Club chapter.
Another group of sailors painted Las Mojoneras school
and repaired the interior as well.
Sarita's
Smile
 Sometimes, the simple things in life have the most
meaning... like a smile, for example. When you see
the smile on an angel's face who has not had the quality
of life experiences, it is a gift. But when you are
witness to great constant laughter as a reaction to
happiness, it becomes the most beautiful miracle of
life ...and the biggest reward for our labor.
Sarita, a magical 3½-year-old child with Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia, recently shared one of the
happiest moments of her life with family and friends.
She wanted to meet her favorite cartoon character, "Barney" the
dinosaur. The Make A Wish Foundation of Mexico threw
a beautiful party in one of the most famous places
for kids, "PIWY", where Estrellita, the pretty clown,
was in charge of the whole show with her guests Barney,
Winnie the Pooh and one of the Power girls. Among a
huge display of colorful balloons, we all enjoyed loads
of pizzas, hamburgers, cake & soda ...and once
again shared THE POWER OF A WISH! Sarita said "that
was the best day of my life." The biggest thanks go
to Laura, Miguel Angel and family who were the wish
angels for this dream.
If you would like to make a needed donation, become
a volunteer and share the power of a wish, refer an
eligible wish child or adopt a wish, please contact
us at: 221-6212, or visit us at: www.makeawishmexico.org
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