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kitjv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 98
Registered: 12-13-2006
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Avoiding the Mexican 2-Step
During all of my exploits in mainland Mexico, I have been an adventurous eater. Although I exercise common sense when eating at unfamiliar places,
part of the charm of traveling is sampling local cuisine.
However, on one occasion I contracted a bacterial infection which landed me in the E.R. of the local hospital when I got home.
For those of you more familiar with Baja than me, any words of caution & wisdom?
Thanks.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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If there are too many flies on it, don't eat it !
If it has dairy products and is sitting in the sun too long, don't eat it !
Don't let excess caution spoil your trip !!!!
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
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over 14 years coming to baja with no problems and i eat all over at little food stands as well as top restrants i do use lime on most foods, might be
helping??
jerry and judi
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osoflojo
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 10-29-2004
Location: c.s.l./b.c.s.
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Keep some industrial strength Imodium handy at all times.
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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Funny, the only time I've ever gotten sick in connection with a Baja trip was many years ago when we stopped at a McDonalds in San Diego on the way
home. That night I got violently ill. Never ate a McDonalds again.
I got the revenge once during a trip to Zihuatenejo (probably from the water, which I was assured was treated . . . not), but the worst traveling
illness ever was on a trip to Italy. Got a sandwich that had cheese and mayo in it from a street vendor, on a hot day in the middle of August. A few
hours later, it hit me like a wave and I doubled over with cramps, sweating profusely. I ran to the nearest pharmacy, worrying that I wouldn't be
able to explain my condition in Italian. Turned out not to be an issue -- the pharmacist took one look at me and said in perfect English, "I know
exactly what you need." The hardest part was running from there to the train station about a half mile away, which had the nearest public bathrooms.
Hoooooo boy.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
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Most street stands are fine. I eat tacos, fruit cups, tamales and other foods at them. Use your common sense though, and if you see a dusty gallon
of mayonaise with a pump sitting out in the sun like it's been there for weeks, and a little voice tells you not to eat there, even if you've already
ordered the taco, listen to that voice!!! Don't worry about hurting the vendor's feelings-- she isn't worrying about your well-being, after all. I
speak from experience
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Whats wrong with the Aztec Two Step?
I mean, why do you want to save it?
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
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Mood: Thirsty!
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Two-Steppin'...
Like Mom used to say, "Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!".
I've found that the biggest threat next to unsanitary food prep and storage comes from handling money! If you're eating at a taco stand, look for the
ones where the owner uses a plastic bag or glove while handling the cash. better yet, find one where the owner has a helper to do all the
money-handling.
Also, look for the stands with the biggest lines! The locals know who's good about keeping clean & fresh, and they know who's trouble too!
When you're at a sit-down restaurant, beware of those with a huge menu/lots of different choices. If the kitchen has to prep lots and lots of stuff,
they'll often be tempted to keep the unused items around until they can be used. Sometimes that's the same day it's prepped, but sometimes it'll be
kept until long past it's "expiration" date.
Suerte!.. Cameron
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Shots of tequila immediately before and after any meal has gotten me through, thus far.
The one before my huevos rancheros can be a little hard to get down, sometimes........
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Hook -------
Great preventitive, Tequila. I wish they had put some in "C" Rations.
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Sometimes in marcados Ive noticed all the shoppers handling all the fruit and veggies looking for their favorite particular ones. Just imagine how
many times a tomato could be handeled and inspected in say a five hour time frame.Maybe as many as 50 inspections? That could add up to who knows
what, in the germ catagory? One way to avoid the two step is to always, and I really mean always,wash all friut and veggies in an anti-bacterial wash
before eating. You wont be sorry ever. Lots of beer helps to!And I always like to wash or wipe off the bottle necks and top of cans as well if it is
convienient.
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kitjv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 98
Registered: 12-13-2006
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The last time I was in Puerto Vallarta I remember being told enthusiastically about an anti-bacterial wash that was virtually 100% effective &
left no aftertaste on the produce. But I can't remember the name. Can anyone help me?
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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You'll find that veggie wash in almost every market in Mexico -- in the produce section. No idea what the name it. Trader Joe's also sells one that
you can bring along with you. On the other hand, I've never used either, wash darn near everything in pila water and no one eating in our home has
gotten sick to date.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Beware of a clam c-cktail... at least in San Felipe... I have enjoyed clam c-cktails in San Vicente and Ensenada... But, the one I had in San Felipe
in May, 2003 about killed me (it seemed)!
Ordered it at the fish taco plaza on the malecon in San Felipe... and 24 hours later it attacked me! I was campoing alone on Shell Island after a day
of exploring the San Fermin plain with Max & Polly of Yuma (gilaoro/mcgyver).
[Edited on 3-2-2007 by David K]
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movinguy
Nomad
Posts: 257
Registered: 3-19-2004
Location: Chula Vista, CA and Tijuana, MX
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Yep, watch the clams. Only time ever being sick was from some industrial-size clams at a place near Zipper's in San Jose. Had them because they were
out of almost everything else - should have sent up a warning signal.
Had to get up and go fishing at 5 a.m. the next morning - oy . . .
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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Quote: |
and 24 hours later it attacked me!
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most food borne illness will hit within 1-3 hours. it's your body's defenses trying to get rid of the bad stuff. i'm not a scientist, so i won't
proclaim to know EVERYTHING, 'specially since i had my own worst nightmare over 4 days in oaxaca one time.
either way, when it's your turn, .
[Edited on 3-2-2007 by woody in ob]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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A good preventative measure is to keep the residual alcohol levels in your body up....germs can't live in alcohol. Wash off everything in Pacifico and
drink plenty of Pacifico with your meals (also, have a few cold ones between meals as a safety measure)...
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Exactly.
Pacifico should be in the sewage treatment business but it hasn't occured to them yet.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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my recommendation is to take two and call me in the morning!!!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Thanks Doc....
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