I’m Back From A Weekend Chetumal, Mexico
Just a quick (ish) note this morning since I’m just back from a weekend trip to Chetumal, Mexico. Primarily to see an endocrinologist for a check-up on my thyroid (I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – or as my new doctor said – a bit tongue-in-cheek, “one of the best autoimmune diseases”)

For those who are like I was four years ago…with no idea about these doctors or where a thyroid even was: Endocrinologists “diagnose and treat hormone-related conditions. They specialize in the endocrine system, which includes the glands and tissues that produce hormones.” There is no full-time Endocrinologist in the country of Belize.

So…I went across the border to Mexico. To Chetumal, a sprawling small city of about 200,000. And though only 40 miles apart, as the crow flies, the travel is easy but time consuming. Golf cart to boat to bus to the border crossing, back to the bus.

I had a great doctor’s visit and a great time visiting. I forgot how much I love traveling, by myself and just exploring. Chetumal has always been a town I’ve been mostly traveling through…there are not alot of tourists.
I did a serious combo of Americana-mania – Starbucks. Walmart and Mega-Cineplex – and Chetumal culture – the museum and the markets.
I’ll tell you all about where I stayed, what I visited, how I traveled, what I saw over the next few days.

But for now, I’m glad to be home. It’s a wonder how traveling for a just a few days makes you see your home with new eyes. San Pedro looked so beautiful to me yesterday as I drove home from the water taxi. Home!

Happy February.I’m working on my monthly newsletter right now. If you’re interested, make sure to sign up for my email list.

It’s also a busy week ahead! Starting with helping to judge at the Estel’s Rib Cook-off tomorrow…here’s the February calendar I’m working on.
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We used to get away to Chetumal for weekends. I can’t remember the name but we stayed in a beautiful old quaint hotel, that had a great swimming pool. We would explore the area for great food, experiences. You are right when you said not a lot of tourists; we were usually the only gringos walking around. Our last trip was because we were almost poisoned. We had been to a little bar close to hotel and when we were walking back, we stopped at a cute little liquor store and bought a pint of Bacardi light. When we went to open it, I noticed the paper label was not affixed to the bottle, but ignored it. We made us each a rum and coke. As we sipped our drinks after we toasted, we spat out the liquid as it tasted horrible. Liquor didn’t smell bad, but we just got ready for bed and the next morning we both had black tongues. A short time later I found out from my U.S. doc that methanol poisoning can cause black tongue. We never went back after that. But up until then, we loved going there. On another note so happy your autoimmune situation is under control.
Good lord! That’s awful. I’m glad you are ok.
I wonder if the hotel was the Casa Chetumal Hotel…I took a photo of that when I was walking by – looks so cute. Also took a pic of the Ala Residences…which looks amazing from the outside. I need to do some research.
I’m so happy you are ok!