DENTAL WORK IN MEXICO------HOW EXPENSIVE?---HOW GOOD?

THINKING OF GOING TO MEXICO FOR DENTAL WORK?  Here's my experience and costs.
3 weeks ago a root canal treated tooth went bad. It was done in Santa Fe 5 yrs ago.  I checked prices here---was outraged----decided to go to Mexico---100 miles away.

The closest Mexican town is Palomas---3 miles from Columbus, NM.  So down I went---trailer and all to this end-of-the-world town. (residents say it themselves) It's unique in many ways and I will report later.

Settled into Poncho Villa St Park.  (my permit from last year is still valid so I camp free---if you need electricity add $4 a night) Turns out Lynn (caravan member) needs treatment too so she joined me here.

Together we cross this border in search of a good dentist.

This is about all ther is to the town---perhaps 5 blocks long and 4 wide. It depends on tourism and medical work for its life.  Word is--It's safe.

THE FAMOUS PINK STORE-----biggest one here---restaurant, gifts etc.

Optics and dental are the mainstays of their economy.

FIERO DENTAL CLINIC ----(6 chairs) lots of dentist--The biggest--most impressive clinic here---clean---well run--friendly. www.info@fierodental.com

I needed an APICOECTOMY (  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apicoectomy) for any hope of saving the tooth.  Needed an oral surgeon---he came on monday--and here he is doing the deed. Cutting off the top 5 mm of the infected tooth---removing the bad stuff---filling in the hole with goo that integrates with bone.  A translator stood by the whole time-----easy peasy. (also took the picts---they seemed surprised and flattered that I wanted them)  I'm sparing you the gory ones.

Operation's over--felt no pain---he shows off his stitchery.

I'm very impressed with this surgeon/doctor---he worked with confidence and sensitivity---doing a difficult operation.  Total charge: $350. (Dr Alonzo Ramirez--tel# 915-497-6884 )

Since I'm here--will wrap up three more dental loose ends---a crown ---  a root canal with post and replace an old filling.  meet Maria---an excellent--english speaking young dentist with great chair-side manners.  Lynn and I both selected her.  Lynn had extensive work done and had priced her work before leaving NC.  -----Shocking comparison: Same work done in the US: $7,500.  In Mexico she paid $1,400.  Savings $6.100

Meet our hero dentist: Maria.  She understands both sides of dentistry--technical expertise and patient relationship.  (Tel# 505-220-5798 ) Now I will make good on my title question:
Root canal Mexico:    280        root canal US:   900
Post:                              75        Post                   150
Crown:                        190        Crown               550
filling:                           60        Filling                95--250
Apicoectomy               350       Apicoectomy     750
total                             955                                 2,445                             difference 1,490
RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  Permit me to rant about the outrageous discrepancy in dental prices.  You would expect slightly higher prices---but this is ridiculous.  Why can't American dentist be happy with a really good living ($100,000 plus)?  Why do they shoot for a million?  Capitalism is not working in the dental business---because of protectionist trade associations. I guess it won't be competitive till more people do as I do.  Our whole nation suffers incredibly ---real pain--they postpone preventive treatment because Dentist charge so G--Dammed much.

  COLLECTIVELY-------, DENTIST,LAWYERS, UNDERTAKERS ARE GREEDY AND EVIL  THAT IS WHY THE PROBLEM MUST BE SOLVED COLLECTIVELY----BY LEGISLATION.
Individually they may not be evil.  But hear me dentist of America---your pricing structure is unfair and you participate in a world of needless pain and ill health. 

The deeper truth is that high priced dentistry, like high priced funerals, and high priced legal service is a CULTURAL DISTORTION we have "slipped into"--We need to vote ourselves out of it.
Meanwhile, I will vote with my wheels and go to Mexico.

Wonder how the most enlightened country in the world---Norway deals with dentistry?

http://www.mndental.org/features/2009/08/18/147/sitting_in_someone_elses_chair_dentistry_in_norway

Further reading: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_american_way_of_dentistry/2009/09/the_american_way_of_dentistry_2.html

 

SURPRISE!!!----LOCAL BOY WINS FAME

HIS NAME WAS BEN LILLY--1856---1936---he lived in my part of the country---the woodlands and swamps of northern Louisiana.  A mile from where I was to be born, he greeted Theodore Roosevelt as he stepped from a train at Roosevelt, La. (We named the siding after the event of course) The president had heard of Ben Lilly as the premier bear hunter of the area---- asked him to guide.  And he did--on that famous hunt where Roosevelt declined to shoot a small bear---because it was "too easy"---giving rise to the "teddy bear" of enduring fame.
Ben Lilly was a Thoreau like personality who "heard a different drummer" ---could not settle down to a career---abandoned his wife to live in the woods.  For long periods he would disappear.
AND THEN ONE DAY---he  left us for good---and no one knew where he went--or if he had died.  Rumor had it that he got it in his head to WALK to the West. 
AND THEN ONE DAY---when I was a boy---a writer came round---asking to speak to anyone who knew Ben Lilly.  The book that resulted was titled THE LEGEND OF BEN LILLY. 
TURNS OUT---Ben Lilly did in fact make it to the West---and became the most famous hunter in NM.----died out here and is buried in Silver City.
OUT OF CURIOSITY---I decided to ask if anyone had ever heard of our home town legend---- Told the lady at the tourist bureau that I was from North Louisiana and wondered if she had ever heard of our hometown maverick.
She smiled and handed me the current telephone directory for Silver City, Deming and Lordsberg.
IMAGINE MY SURPRISE!

THERE'S OUR GUY ON THE COVER!  HE IS NOT FORGOTTEN. It is a painting OF Ben (from a photograph I presume) by Lois Duffy. studio  Phone 575-313-9631 www.loisduffy.com

He is described by wikipedia as the LAST MOUNTAIN MAN.  click here to see more pictures and get the full story. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Lilly

Roosevelt was impressed enough with Ben to write a descriptive paragraph of him.

TO MY FRIENDS BACK IN LOUISIANA: Why don't we buy this painting for one of our museums.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: Ben's life is one more incentive to "follow your bliss"---do the thing you really want to do.  I remind my readers that Buddha abandoned his family---as Did Gaugan ---suggesting to me that Bliss may be more important than commitment. 

WHAT CAN CONNECTION DO FOR YOU?

LONG YEARS AGO--IN A SOUTHERN BAPTIST SEMINARY--MY THEOLOGY PROFESSOR---challenged us to try our hand at writing a parable. (a little story with big meaning)
Two and a half years of Seminary evaporated my affection for religion, but not my affection for a good illustrative story.
Today it popped into my head to try it again.  So I shall try to communicate my  vision of our QUEST-FOR-COMMUNITY CARAVAN---with  simple stories:


PARABLES OF COMMUNITY:

 COMMUNITY is like a gentle whirlwind crossing a field.  Sleeping dust is awakened, lifted, alligned in strength, spun in a beautiful pattern with purpose, shown new vistas and sent on a new journey.

 COMMUNITY is like  a tumbler----where every rock  is made more beautiful by contact with its companions.

 COMMUNITY is like  a house of many mirrors.  All who walk about in it see themselves ever more clearly.

 COMMUNITY  is like  grasshoppers when they gather in density and are  transformed into locust.  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=when-grasshoppers-go-bibl


 COMMUNITY is like a Constitutional Convention where wisdom is blended to create a new paradigm.  We hope to invent new forms of friendship for the world to consider.

 COMMUNITY is like  Benjamin Franklin's close circle of friends (his
Junto) who merged their visionary wills to civilize a city. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junto_(club)

CARAVAN UPDATE: We have temporarily scattered in three directions----Lynn and I are in Columbus, NM for dental work in nearby Palomas, Mexico---Laurie is enjoying solitude at a secluded campsite while Boonie (our pathfinder) has located for us  a scenic, cool little town.  What's amazing and satisfying is that our sense of community continues unabated---by phone and e-mail.  Our plan is to reassemble when our dental work is completed next Wednesday. 
Meanwhile, our community experiment is being discussed on other blogs:  This one may interest you: http://boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/cocooned.html#more

DO WE REALLY NEED COMMUNITY TO BE FULFILLED?

OR WOULD YOU MAKE MORE PERSONAL PROGRESS DRIFTING ALONE?

It is a question these 5 people are seeking to answer for themselves.  All are Individualist---(some extreme) engaged in this bold experiment of separate/togetherness.

One thing is already clear---the dogs love it.  Here Luke and Coffee girl have fun.

Poncho, the 17 yr old poodle is beyond such rough housing and prefers to be cuddled by Boonie.

Ah but Rain--the most adorable puppy in the world ---bouncing all over our forest campground gets lots of  attention from everybody. 

One day Boonie takes 3 of us on a hike to the WEB OF DOOM.

And there it is----aptly named---its purpose obvious---to prevent careless and reckless hikers from falling to their death is this very deep mine.

Laurie is first to test her courage.  It is super spongy and one's foot could easily slip through the squares.

And of course Mr testosterone wants to stand directly over the pit.

Back in our forest home--one day---out of the woods walks this intrepid trio:  Jim/Gale/Debbie who tracked us down from clues on our blog.  They are grand adventurers and bloggers themselves---wandering the country in their RV's:  http://littleadventures-jg.blogspot.com/ We had a great exchange---hope we cross paths with them again.

Laurie was persuaded to entertain us.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  I honestly don't know the answer to my title question.  I meet lots of loners that are low on the self actualization scale----angry, ignorant, paranoid,lonely, addicted etc---BUT THEN I meet a fair percentage 30-40% that are settled comfortably into their solitude. (most of these have pets)  They have an interesting life---hobbies---a pattern of place and activity that satisfies--are often well read and fun to engage.

When I meet folks who run with a pack---I'm equally ambivalent--some are lazy and uncurious--hiding out in the crowd---socializing to keep nothingness at bay.  While some packs are exhilerating and nurturing----transformative even.

The quest-for-community caravan----thus far---is satisfying and stimulating.  We have great sessions of walk and talk.  Our association is not burdened by common meals or house sharing or money sharing---so we can focus on idea sharing.  Also, we are all mobile.  More are coming and we shall see what a density of 6 or 8 or more will do.  Perhaps one of my readers can clear up the title mystery for me.

Yahoo: The Worst Way Ever to Pick a Corporate Strategy

So Yahoo has burned through another CEO, and I'm sure the next step will be a lot of media sermonizing about the need to be honest in your resume, the power of the Internet to rally outrage around an issue, and importance of making an immediate and full disclosure/apology when you're in the wrong.  All good lessons.

But to me the most important issue, and I think a damning one, was contained in this comment down at the bottom of Kara Swisher's article on the resignation (link):

"Thompson was pushing forward a vision of adding a much more significant data and commerce element to Yahoo’s largely ad-based business.  That is likely to be less stressed under media-focused Levinsohn, who will be essentially trying out to be the permanent CEO."

A number of other articles say the same thing, that the change in CEO (and Board members) will also mean a change in Yahoo's strategy (link).

For as long as I can remember, Yahoo has seemed unable to decide whether it was a media company or a technology company.  As a result it has usually seemed to optimize for neither one.  Technology assets like Flickr languish, promising API initiatives wither on the vine, and competitors gradually eat away at Yahoo's display advertising franchise.

Articles like Swisher's said Scott Thompson wanted to focus Yahoo as a technology company, although I haven't been able to find direct quotes of him saying that.  Instead, I found a lot of rhetoric from him about focusing on core properties and cutting less profitable initiatives.  But whatever direction he had chosen, the decision has now apparently been unmade yet again.

I'm not sure which is the right strategy, but it's pathetic that the decision is being determined by a fudged resume.  And how incredibly sad it is for Yahoo's employees and shareholders that the company just wasted another five months of precious turnaround time. 

When you're trying to revive a company, the worst thing you can possibly do is be unclear on the strategy.  Employees can't commit, priorities can't be set, everything freezes while the staff waits to hear what they'll be asked to do.  Every time there's s shift like this, another round of experienced employees put their resumes on the street.

I think Yahoo still has enormous assets that could make it a vibrant, profitable player in the Internet for the long haul.  And it may well be that a media-focused strategy is the better focus for the company.  But make no mistake about it, this change isn't a victory.  You're watching people argue about fire-fighting technique in a burning house, and while they argued another room just collapsed.

BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT FOR THE KODGER KING

HAPPENED AT THE BIKE RACES---SILVER CITY,NM

They were whizzing by

leaning dangerously on the turns.

The whole town is festive

 the band began to play---really good music.

Then I saw this man dance---all alone in the sunshine---hundreds watched---HE WAS HEEDLESS!!

In wonderous rhythm, he whirled and gyrated, capered, strutted, bounced so beautifully---the crowd was mesmerized--- AWESTRUCK. We were witnessing spirit at play---outside the grip of ego.

My heart expanded--a size or two. 

AND SUDDENLY I COULD NOT RESIST. Taking Laurie's hand, I led her to the center.  She too was touched by the music and the moment.  Rarely is a transformational instant photographed---but there it is--dear readers---captured by a stranger---the very moment this Southern Baptist raised boy--steps away from his fears.

I'm no great shakes---but I can keep time to the music---and Laurie---(singer/songwriter that she is) already has rhythm in her soul.  We join the solitary soulster.  Oh sweet Jesus--it was fun.

People on the sidelines suddenly joined in---wives left their husbands--to join the jubilation.

And look here!! A real life Kodger shuffles into the fun.

Expert dancers glory in the expertise of another and are naturally drawn together---like these two-- enchanting the crowd---and each other.

Each making the other wilder and wilder---I grabbed my camera to show her later.

Then she comes and whirls me again---saving the last dance for me.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  Perhaps,  you've had a moment like  this---so  you can celebrate with me.  A moment you've stepped out on "the dance floor" despite your misgivings--and discovered new pleasures.  I now believe everyone on the planet should dance.  Let us lure our children out of their self consciousness and into the joys of gyration. 

CARAVAN UPDATE:  We are still camped happily in the forest near Silver City; are solidifying; have tweaked our protocol; are evolving;have set our intentions west toward Springerville, Az; have met wonderful new friends; dared to walk the web of doom. (will show you next time)

ROLLING---ROLLING---CARAVAN UPDATE

AFTER A WEEK ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP

Having driven up up up this one lane mountain road.

                                         
                                                                              I arrived at a hill I simply could not climb---Boonie insisted that together we could do it----got out his tow rope----and---sure enough we did!  I am not ashamed to record my little trucks limitations.

Lynn of course had no difficulty in her splendid Pleasure way motor home.  She settles in under an oak tree and does a curious thing:  Circles her tires with a white powder on the ground to ward off the ants.  Can you see the white line?

Here is a distant shot of her rig showing our juniper tree mountaintop campsite.

Another angle.   AAAhhh but it's delightfully cool up here.  Mobile people never need to grunt and sweat in wearisome heat.  Up, Up is the answer. (remember, 4 degrees cooler per thousand ft of elevation)

View from the top!  A bible verse just popped into my head: "I will look to the hills from whence cometh my strength"

(no, I've not gotten religious---just like that verse---guess you can't take all the Southern Baptist out of this boy)

For all its mechanical wizardry---Lynn's proud Pleasurway van is not equipped for boondocking---it's single battery is insufficient.  We run a chord to my powerful solar array to recharge her---takes about an hour. (note to Mr Pleasureway---and Mr Roadtrek--Give me a call---I will tell you how to make a van capable of boondocking)

Some of my companions are camera shy---so I persuade them to wave to you via our shadows.

After a week on the mountain---we decide to go---to Silver City for a city fix.

A great drive down the mountain---for those trying to calculate our position---that's Cooke's Peak in the background.

Here's 4 of our rigs at Wal-Mart.

On the way to our new location Boonie swings us by this copper mine---a whopper mine.

He is our Kit Carson--guide--way-shower--pathfinder--campsite finder.  And he leads us here---only a few miles from town-- to a six star location:  1. flat 2. close to somewhere 3. pretty 4. free 5. phone and internet service 6. cool

Each finds "their spot"---a process that always fascinates me---everybody has their preferences--factoring in things like afternoon shade---nice view---sunrise direction--prevailing breeze--satellite direction etc.

You've met Laurie before---not camera shy--just in from Yuma where she released her new cd--"Only Love".

And mystery man Boonie who only allows rear-shot photos.  This day he rode his bike nearly to the top of the mountain with his delightful doggie Coffee girl running alongside.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:   My cup runneth over---the caravan is as much fun as I could have imagined. I love having good friends to walk and talk with.  Having separate rigs takes away most of the difficulties of conventional communities. We're having a great time inventing ourselves. In my next report I will share some of the "traditions" we have established.

This caravan is far beyond trivial for me---I am after big fish:  I hope to recreate Benjamin Franklin's famous transformative community of friends he called his Junto. Read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junto_(club)

We are just getting started and there is room for another couple of inspired personalities.  If you are mobile and think you could enjoy and contribute to this experiment---contact me personally at randythepoet@yahoo.com.