Had A Scorpion in My Hand the Other Day

I picked up a pair of shorts that had been sitting out on my patio waiting for stain treatment for a couple of weeks. As I looked closer, there was this little creature sitting there on my shorts; slowly but assuredly I determined it was a dead, baby scorpion. The curved tail was a dead give-away. Flicking it off my shorts with my hand, the critter went flying through the air and landed on the patio beneath me. As it crash landed, the thing started crawling frantically to the closest pile of rubbish to hide under. (Their favorite habitat). This sent shutters through my body - the venomous creature was alive and had been in my hands and very close to my face!

Last weekend I was on a mission interviewing our friends to find out how many times they had been stung by a scorpion in their lifetimes. Sadly, it is a cruel fact here in Mexico and something these people have to live with. But, to my surprise, the Mexican people do NOT appear afraid of them. It is true that scorpions have the power to take lives and do successfully every year. During my interview with Enock, he told me that a person has 2 hours from the point of sting to total loss of respiration; the stung must immediately rush to a nearby hospital to be treated with the anecdote. The statistics are online on how many people die each year of a scorpion sting, and the percent is remarkably higher in Mexico than other places.

The results of my interviews:

• Fernando- 5 times
• Raralamee- 6 times
• Esther - 5 times
• Enock - 10 times

Eeek! To me, that sounds like it is just a matter of time before... I think it is the scorpion, the lizards, and all the creatures in Mexico that would never allow me to make a home here permanently. I am still not sleeping well at night, full well knowing that all of them come out at night crawling the floors and the walls. It is always an adventure to use the bathroom or grab a drink of water in the middle of the night. I make sure that several feet in front of me is well lit while walking through the house like a detective. The entire family has learned to inspect the floor in front of them with every step, night and day. One night I looked up from my bed, and there was a lizard right above me on the ceiling. I have seen them on the wall above my head where my bed connects to it (we have no headboard that places a barrier between us and the wall). As I toss and turn at night, I am afraid to smack my hand or arm against the wall to bump up against with something that is breathing. Mike reports that I will wake him up at night requiring that he take care of something on the wall. I do not know what he is talking about. I cannot imagine a better means to stretch this American woman than for her to have to co-dwell in the same quarters as scorpions. Well, maybe venomous snakes could be worse. Oh, yeah, they live in Mexico as well.

"Just Because"

I like this picture since it is typical of what our home looks like on a daily basis. There are kids around the corner in the living room and likely a couple in the kitchen to the left. One of my kids just randomly snapped this picture and I like it since it looks so natural. (Although Carlos is posing). My pictures always serve some purpose while this one is "just because".

Molly and Xavier are studying languages together, Molly Spanish and Xavier English. They often sit at the table and help one another.

A banana plantation planted with palm trees.

The Tequila Plant

This is the plant that is used to make Tequila. The Mexican people are proud of their Tequila and word is, it is of the best in the world. I do NOT like the flavor of Tequila myself but have learned to like the famous Margarita which has Tequila in it.

In Mexico, the preferred alcohol is Tequila and Corona Beer, both readily accessible. Unfortunately, they are even available to teens.

There are many entertainers in Morelia. Aren't these young men so handsome in their attire? We asked to take a picture, tipped them and were on our way - didn't hear them play. Three amigos, reminds me of some movie title. ???

Speaking of Artistic Archictecture, More Pictures of the Cathedral

After posting about our trip to Morelia weeks back, my mom got as excited about the city as I did. (See Mexico's Best Kept Secret, & The Soul of the City). Looks like dad better start saving his nickles because after viewing the pictures, she is insisting on a trip to Mexico. This month they had their 42nd Wedding Anniversary so maybe for their 50th...

Mom, I was shocked to see the pictures that Mike had on his camera. They were so much better than mine! I have added more here for your enjoyment.


We had fully enjoyed our few hours in Morelia; I totally fell head over heels in love with this city. Who needs Mexico City when there is Morelia?

Can you see that cute little guy standing in front of the cathedral door? That is Lupe's son who is 17 months old. He is all giggles.


Our family will being staying two nights in Morelia this weekend with Enock's family; they own a second home there. I can hardly wait.

We will then spend a night in Morelia next month when we leave our home in La Huacana to travel home. One last chance...


The streets of Morelia are lined with beautiful stone buildings. This picture is a little deceiving making the street look wider than what most streets in Morelia are. This is the main street, most streets are single lanes. While riding in our van, I felt fully incased by the goregeous stone buildings - like I was being swallowed by beauty with them towering over each side of me.

Artistic Architecture

This post is for you architect lovers. There is some very unique and gorgeous architecture in Mexico.


This is gorgeous as it gets! I took this picture in a town on the way to the beach. Notice how the family lives in the top portion and sells out of the bottom - very common in Mexico.
A very typical house in La Huacana. My comparison, it is middle-class, not as poor as some you have seen posted on this blog but not as nice as a few classier homes. Common is the unfinished upstairs. A family of ten was raised in this house, all adults who now have family of their own. The two very old ma and pa live alone now.

















This beautiful house is the one we have had the priveledge of renting during our stay in La Huacana.

A Few Useful Natural Remedies For You; Friendship

This is Esther, Enock's wife with her niece. Esther has been a very good friend to me. The language barrier has been challenging between her and I, but even when you cannot communicate well with words, the spirit of love comes through loud and clear.

Esther drove straight to my house the minute she heard I came down ill. In fact, her sons came with her. With loving concern, they all were eager to check in on me. Esther brought with her one of Mexico's natural remedies to settle a volatile stomach and stop diarrhea. How well it worked I am still unsure due to the nature of my illness. I am not sure it is fair to judge it when trying to stop a strong case of dysentery. I'm certain I benefited from it's use. Here it is for you to try the next time one in your family comes down sick. She claimed that it serves as a instant plugger-upper.

1 heaping tablespoon of corn starch
2 fresh squeezed juice from lemons (small lemons)
1 small bottle of coca-cola (use of the caffeine, coffee can be substituted)

Take 2- 3 times in one day.

Natural remedies are widely used in Mexico. Medicine isn't as prevalent as in America and is very expensive for the people, most of which are very poor. As vinegar is valued in the US, lemon juice is in Mexico. Lupe is always telling me of how I can get rid of this problem or that with the use of lemon juice. It can be used to stop the mosquito itch, and it can be rubbed all over your skin to prevent the mosquito bite.

Mike stubbed his toe badly, it having swelled up more than twice it's natural size. Our neighbor across the street, Alahaundra, went to her yard to pick some Arnica leaves. She lovingly wrapped my husband's toe in fresh Arnica leaves and by morning all the swelling was gone. (I would have liked to have access to these leaves in great quantities when I badly sprang my ankle a few summers ago and it was swollen for months!) Later, I learned that I have an Arnica tree in my own back yard. It is an important plant for the Mexican people so everyone grows them. I'd love to be able to plant one in my yard at home.

Esther had not only given me the medicine that comforted my stomach but she delivered medicine that touched my soul. Her visit to help me in my hour of need was invaluable; she and one of her nieces also fully cleaned my messy house. The people continue to amaze me by their generosity, their positive attitudes, their readiness to help and just how happy they are. Most Mexican people live in challenging circumstances so it is obvious that their happiness isn't determined by these means. I pray this is what I can bring home from Mexico with us.

The Full Meal Deal Part 2; My Experience with Dysentery

We were warned about what our life-style should "look like" in Mexico. The University met with Mike more than once to give him the facts, like don't brush your teeth in the tap water and stay away from fresh unpeeled fruits and vegetables. In our possession is enough paperwork on the subject to keep us busy for a long time. Not only that, we are students who like to read and prepare ahead for such a thing as taking our family to a tropical, underdeveloped country. But, the truth is, we tend to get laid back at times and can be overly optimistic. On one hand, I feel as if we have blown it big but on the other, I feel so blessed. Mike was told that 50-80% of Americans who travel to Mexico will come down sick within the first week. OK- let's do the Math... there are 6 of us and we have been living here now for 10 weeks, I'd say we are doing pretty darn good! And, most Americans are traveling for vacation purposes, visiting the beach towns that cater to American travelers' needs, like providing purified water. Our family has been living in a town that is as authentic as it can possibly get.

Let's be realistic though, the recommended precautions would be extremely difficult for a family who is living in Mexico verses visiting for a couple of weeks.

*Buy purified water and use for all cooking and drinking, or boil your water for 10-15 minutes
*Don't brush your teeth in the tap water
*Stay away from all fresh fruit and vegetables unless it can be peeled
*All foods ingested must be prepared with heat to kill any organisms
*No cold drinks prepared with ice or water in the market place
*Avoid unpasteurized milk products, raw meat, shellfish, salads
*Avoid all food prepared by street vendors or others whom you don't trust their sanitation methods

That doesn't look like much but actually walking it out week after week is extremely difficult! First, that means I have to do ALL my own cooking for my family for weeks on end. We are prohibited from even picking up an ice cream cone in the market place. In La Huacana, the streets are lined with vendors selling fruit cups, fresh squeezed orange juice, tacos, refreshing fruit drinks, home-made ice creams, home-made breads, interesting treats of all kinds, most of which we don't even know what they are and most prepared in people's own kitchens. Do you realize that it rules out me making the famous Mexican salsas and guacamole? They both contain tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro which would all be no-nos. Following the guidelines would reduce us all down to saltine crackers. Comparing to the choices available to me at my local Winco, supplies are very limited. Every single store has just about the same stuff, most of which is fruits and vegetables and toilet paper. Without salsa and guacamole, I am not sure what we would eat. Preparing food for my family in Mexico has been an ongoing challenge. I'd say that American grocery stores are what I miss the most about my home, including my own bed.

What is dysentery? It is the result of ingesting unsanitary drink or food that contain micro organisms. These organisms take up residence in the intestines and cause infection and damage to the lining of the intestinal walls. There are two kinds of dysentery, amoebic and bacillary. Amoebic is parasitic and is commonly spread through fruits and vegetables and through negligent hygiene. There are many form of bacterias, some you might be familiar with are samonella and E-Coli. Basically, the person who is preparing your food can forget to wash his hands after using the bathroom then pass the amobic or bacteria to you. It is commonly passed through human feces. The reason Americans are easily infected is that they haven't acquired the immunity that those have grown up in the area. I 'd say the local residents have guts made of iron! This is a common problem in tropical climates and underdeveloped environments that have less than ideal hygiene and sanitation methods.

We have no idea what took up residence in my gut but I know one thing, my gut didn't like it all. After searching online, I decided that I was infected with a very strong case. My Mexican friends are sure that it was the fresh milk but then again I am sure they don't understand the level of poor sanitation in their own community. You might gasp to see how food is prepared in my current town, usually with no running water or refrigeration nearby. As I observe Mexican chef's prepare my food I always wonder where that knife was laid last, when the hands were washed and in what water or when the last time the wooden cutting board was replaced that is oozing in meat juices in 95 degree weather. Worse yet, watch the local butcher cut-up your carne! At these moments I am reminded that I could resort to only saltine crackers, but instead, I gratefully say "gracious" and devour the scrumptious food provided to me. Yes, I have experienced Mexico to the fullest degree and my bout with dysentery has changed a few habits around here but after thinking on it further, I am sure there was no way it could have been avoided. We are praying that our family can make it back to the US without Mike or one of the kids contacting it. We are thankful that we have made it this far with only one of us coming down since we have broken every rule there is.

For an update on me, I am much stronger today, up and out of my bed and caring for my family. I get tired easily, still have no appetite to speak of, have infrequent bouts of diarrhea but feel more like myself again. As of yet, I am not anxious to sample anyone's authentic Mexican cutlery; saltine crackers and I are close friends.

Maybe next week.

Update on Our Health

Hello To All,

Last week was a very long week dealing with dysentery. Tammy wasn't able to eat a normal meal until Saturday evening, was very weak and had nausea, stomach cramps,bloating and diarrhea that continued for the entire week. After feeling a little more herself, we were able to get out of the house for a day and enjoy a nearby water park. After returning home that night, she came down ill again, having been woke up in the night with all the same symptoms. Our local friends believe that her sickness was from the fresh milk that we are having delivered to the house. (Although she has not touched it recently). Please continue your prayers for her and the family. The bug appears to still be in her body, has caused her to loose 7 pounds in a week and is making it difficult to eat and stay hydrated.

Josh, Jake and Maddy have been sick this week too with a bug. Fever, sore throats, tiredness, and earaches. Both Josh and Maddy have ear infections.

Thank You So Much
Mike

Some Things We Have Learned

The principle, Roberto, came to the house in an attempt to load me up to take me to the hospital. He had been very concerned about me having come down with dysentery and a day prior had sent a car to the house to transport me for medical attention. Twice he sent students to the house to request that I go. My stubbornness though won out; I knew that once the vomiting stopped, I would be able to treat myself with the medications I brought from the US, very likely the same medications I would be treated with by a doctor here. I was blessed by this man's kindness. Pictured here I had finally taken my first shower after a few days in bed. Roberto pulled out a tube of wrinkle -reducing, bag and dark-circle eliminating eye cream. He proceeded himself to apply it gently to my eyes having noticed my hallowed eyes. His visit cheered me up.


During that visit, Mike and Roberto were looking at pictures on the computer. My parents called from Oregon using Skype's Video calling feature. Mom and Dad were able to have a meaningful conversation with the school principle. This time, however, Mike and I were the translators! Practicing our brand-new language in front of family was quiet fulfilling, I must admit. My dad had many questions for our guest and Roberto reciprocated by asking questions about our country. I'd like to share some of those facts with you while throwing in a few others that we have learned.

In Mexico, "minimum wage" is $2 (American Dollars) for 8 hours worth of work (full day)

One American dollar equals 13 pesoes.

In the middle school, this year so far, 100 students (male) between the ages of 12-15 have dropped out of school to find work to help pay their family's way.

A mass majority of young men have no father in the home. For example, a young friend of ours, his father is in the United States working and sending money back home. This is very common.

Numerous children are living with grandparents and aunts with no male role models. Families move in together to survive.

Families choose between owning a house or owning a vehicle. Some can't afford either.

There is no such thing as "homeless" in Mexico.

It is very expensive for people to travel outside their home town and often difficult. Many people rely on buses and taxis.

A brand new truck costs around $31,000, same as in the United States.




A house like the one we are currently living in rents out for $38.00 per month.

In Mexico, you can purchase four nice houses for the same price as buying one modest one in America.

One of the reasons the laws are loose is that when a law is created and enforced, the people couldn't afford to pay the fines.

Living Expenses:
This week, it cost us $180 to have our van repaired at a local body shop. We were quoted $1500.00 in the US.
One meal eaten out at a "cafe" cost approximately $2 per person, including a drink. (Resort towns excluded).
Cost of a coca-cola - 62 cents.
Cost of one chicken quesidalla -$1.15
Cost of a whole BBQ chicken dinner for two, including 10 tortillas, lettuce, chili sauces, condiments and 2 drinks- $3.oo
Cost of one bunch of bananas - 61 cents
Cost of 1 kilo of maize tortillas - $1.15
Cost of fresh gallon of milk delivered to your door -$2.46 (milked that morning)
Cost of 1 kilo of ground hamburger $3.84 (equals 2 pounds)
Cost of gallon of gas - $2.47
Costs of using a public restroom - 23 cents!

Every single peso counts!

My purpose in sharing this and all the pictures is to encourage thankful hearts. I know my family could be more grateful than we are. In America, most people do not know how blessed they truly are. Basically, a person is fortunate to be "born" into America. What about the people who are "born" into this country? For them, fortunate comes in a different way.

After living in La Huacana, I have more compassion for the Mexican people and have come to better understand their day to day lives and who they are. Living with them has been eye-opening and creates in me a need to reevaluate what I thought I already understood. I hope this blog passes a little of that on to you and that it can be a means by which you can experience the goodness of Mexico as well. (The goodness of Mexico is the genuine, warm-hearted people - future post coming).

Feel free to email me your questions or to ask them when we return to our home in the US.

Snapped a Few Pictures on My Way Home From Santa Clara

The Full Meal Deal - Dealing with Dysentery

I was teased by email yesterday by a friend that I had taken this desire to experience Mexico way too far; I have come down with the all too common dysentery. Today, I can hold my head up long enough to write this post. Yesterday, I was violently ill unable to keep anything down, including the medication my family doctor sent for this very purpose. Today I am drinking fluids (praise the Lord!) but not without a price since even the fluid causes a ruckus in my gut. My stomach burns and churns and rambles and rolls continuously but there is an improvement since yesterday. Diarrhea continues but the throwing-up has ceased. I am thankful that I can sleep today and can intermittently watch the American Network Channel here in Mexico which makes me feel like I am at home in my own bed.

Before I left the states, I had set-up an email prayer chain where we could send out regular prayer concerns to those who committed to pray for our needs; I also wanted it in place in the case that any of us in the family contacted dysentery. It took much time and effort to form that list - getting over 60 email addresses entered correctly. When desperately needed, it only took 1 minute for Mike to type up a quick prayer request and shoot it off to our praying friends. Also, two telephone prayer chains were set into action, one through our home church and one with the Christian Cowboys that Mike's parents host at their home. If you were missed in any of these efforts, this post is for you!

For this I thank everyone at home who are praying! Yesterday I thought it possible to die and had a very worried husband; torrents of fluids were leaving my body. My inbox was flooded with well wishes, I love yous and I am praying for yous. Mike came into my bedroom multiple times to update me that you all were writing me and what you were saying. All of this has been comforting. Once I have gained my strength and can eat again, I plan to post again about my experience with the well-known Mexican plague. For now I wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your prayers. Back to bed....

Pictures of the Beach

Look - no people! This beach was enclosed by the rocks which made it private and quaint. I have climbed some stairs to take this gorgeous picture of the ocean. It was a cloudy day, the first we have seen since our arrival.

This is the hut where we relaxed in hammocks, played games and shared a meal, overlooking the ocean.

More on Our Time at the Beach

The meal we shared together on Sunday evening after playing in the tropical ocean. We ordered a seafood platter. Since tortillas are served with everything in Mexico, it is easy to figure out what to do with the new foods you are served. Our family has come accustom to eating with our fingers.

I can see and hear the ocean from the hut I am resting in. Little did I know I was already infected with Mexico's famous dysentery and that I would be violently ill in a little more than 24 hours.

After witnessing the turtles make their venture into the sea world, the group drove to a privately owned beach. Enock has friends all over these parts so were able to relax the rest of the day in a covered hut that served as a restaurant and provided numerous hammocks with an ocean view.

Our Trip to the Beach

Holes were drilled into coconuts so we could sample fresh coconut water.

The fishermen prepared us an incredible seafood cocktail. Yum!

It was a beautiful drive to the coast, the roads being lined in palm trees, banana plantations and other fruit trees such as mango and agave. The locations we visited were privately owned, which meant they were not flooded with people and were quiet; a huge difference compared to our trip to Ixtapa.

This is Esther and Enoch with their three grown sons. Last week alone, we spent 6 days out of 7 with them. Enoch made the arrangements with the fishermen so that our family could witness the harvesting of the sea turtles and then them being released into the ocean.

I can't say enough good about these 3 brothers. They have joined their parents in their effort to entertain us, and take care of us. They are incredibly nice young men with hearts to serve others.

Sea Turtles "Tortugas"

The Knutz family got a real treat this last Sunday when we went to the coast. Our host, Enoch and his family took us to a sea turtle conservation project where local fisherman in cooperation with the University of Michoacan are working to protect sea turtle nesting grounds. The site was less than a couple acres in size. But what a joy to share in the this conservation effort. We were able to watch as one of the fishermen and Enoch's son Erwin dug up a nest of hatchling turtles.

Sea turtles begin their lives as eggs buried by their mothers on a sandy beach. After 45-70 days of incubation, baby sea turtles emerge from their sandy nests and immediately head for the ocean. They reach maturity in 25 to 50 years. After mating, adult females often cross ocean basins back to their original nesting beaches to lay eggs and renew the cycle. They are excellent navigators, able to sense minute variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. The chances of surviving to adulthood are extremely low, so turtles lay up to 150 eggs per nest and may nest up to three times in a season. They nest every two to three years.

The Black Sea Turtles that we released have declined globally 80 percent over the last 150 years. Breeding populations of black turtles off Mexico are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. In the 1980s, black turtles at their major nesting beach, Colola Beach in Michoacán, Mexico, declined significantly from 5,500 nesting females to a low of 171. The population is now increasing, though numbers are still well below their natural levels.
There are two other varieties of sea turtles that nest at this site, one of them being the leatherback sea turtle. Since 1980, leatherbacks have declined by 95% at their major Pacific nesting beaches. If current trends continue, Pacific leatherbacks will go extinct within the next few decades and there is a 50% chance they will be gone within 11-12 years.

This was our eniter party. Enoch and Easter have three sons who are gentlemen with a heart to serve others. Enoch and his family have really befriended us and have invited us to several outings. Enoch teaches welding and physical science. He always has smile on his face and a good attitude.

The two girls are Karen (in the red shirt) has been a wonderful translator for us. She has also become good friend to Molly. Her sister Adeline is a joy to be with as well. They live in L.A. but are spending this year in La Huacana with their aunt who is also in our group photo (left).