0549, Wed, 0201112. La Paz. Yesterday was one of those perfect days. The sun was nice and warm and the air was crisp as well as the seas were flat. We headed into the marina to meet Russ and Janet for an adventure to find out how we sign up for health insurance. Sue had done her homework and found the office right along the Malecon. It was a long walk, but one we had made plenty of times, a great walk along the water front on such a beautiful day. Once at the IMSS building we headed inside only to be stopped by a security guard. We asked, rather I should say Russ asked, if we were in the right place and she said we weren't. The place we needed was across town at the hospital. Sue and I knew where the hospital was, we had passed it on our walk to the immigration office. We asked about the collectivo, that's what they call the bus here in Mexico, and found that it came by one block up from the water front. After standing around waiting for the bus I got the idea to go in the front of the building and see if we couldn't get better directions. All we got there were two more security guards. The guards are nice enough people and very helpful, but understand, it isn't polite to say you don't know the answer to a question, so you don't always know what kind of answer you are getting. Anyhow, these two guys conferred with each other that the proper place was indeed across town at the hospital. There would be a Farmacia across the street. Go upstairs there. After waiting a little more at the corner for the bus, even being reassured this was the right place by asking the family market man on the corner, we decided to walk instead. None of us had been along this street before so it was a nice walk that ended up with some small businesses of interest along the way. We found the meat market that we hear so much about from the other cruisers, as well as a couple of little interesting stores along the way. After a hike clear across town we made it to the hospital but all the Pharmacies across the side street were only one story. Once again we asked the local security guard who was nice enough to take us out to the main street and point out the spot we were to go. About two blocks down. We were getting close now. The signage wasn't very good or our ability to read the signs wasn't very good so we started popping into offices asking. Each said to go to the next office. The third door was it. We were there, only to find this to be the office where you get permission to go to the hospital, not where you apply for health insurance.
After walking miles we gave up for the day. We needed to do more homework and ask around more. Back at the marina we dropped into the office of yacht sales and ask Mike and Shelly. They must know something. They knew a little more than we did, but their secretary gave us the real scoop, as well as a print out of what was needed to take with you. Now we were on to something. So that is why we are up so early this morning. We were told that the lines form quickly. Take a good book and get there early….more later..
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