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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Algodones Dentists & Casino Poker
December 27, 2010
Chula Vista KOA campground, San Diego County. I really liked this RV park, a friendly/helpful place to build up my strength from a hospital stay a
couple days ago. (You can search out my 'Blood Trip' report for those gruesome details...) But now, I was healing up and getting
well..plus...restless. Nomads know this feeling.
Once again, this old adage fits into most of my narratives..."All men's troubles come from the fact that he cannot sit still in a
room."
Desparately needing to get some wind in my face, and deciding to kill two birds with one stone, I drove east of San Diego on I-8 for about 170 miles
to a Mexican village..near Yuma, Arizona. You guessed it...the second bird was to be a dental visit, To the village of
dentists...Algodones.
It was a scenic and pleasant drive along the freeway.. through rolling hillsides and flatlands. Take away the recently rain-frenzied California
drivers and it's a very nice road trip.  I had my coffee sin French
Vanilla creamer...the XM radio playing my favorites (Simply Sinatra, Heart, Loft, 50's, 60's, 70's..FOX NEWS!!)....sunny day...nice breeze....cruising
America....Life is Good.
In what seemed a very short time, there I was..at the turnoff to Algodones just a bit west of Yuma..at exit 166, I think.
But WAIT!... hey, what's this big place? The "Quechan"??. Is that by chance a..be still my heart...a Gambling Casino?
With maybe a live Texas-Hold-Em poker game? I have GOT to check this out.
Excuse me....I will report back after a close inspection of the premises.
..to be continued..
[Edited on 1-7-2011 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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bajamedic
Nomad
Posts: 392
Registered: 12-5-2008
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just waitin for baja
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Pomp must be winning big, we still have not heard anything. JH 
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Brian L
Nomad
Posts: 250
Registered: 6-21-2010
Location: Alpine, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days
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Probably not at that hour. Room was probably empty. He drove right by a good casino in Alpine, Viejas...
Brian
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Now back from the inspection of Quechan casino at I-8 turnoff for Algodones dental town.
Quechan's is an average native American casino...lots and lots of slots..ugh. Plus a dozen blackjack, 3 card poker, etc.
And...a live poker room that I'm told will be very active starting about 9 AM. Also has some tournaments thru-out the week with an Omaha contest on
Sunday, I believe.
Another plus...Quechans offer 'almost free' RV camping on a special lot provided for big rigs..security, etc. As close as this place is to Algodones
I guess I will stay right here.
blane...I didn't miss that place. I played some poker at the Viejas resort..had a great time..and even managed to win. I will most likely stop there
on the return trip to San Diego. They have a very nice RV lot with courtesy vans that take you and your money back and forth from the casino...a
loooong walk I don't need right now.
Time for some breakfast right now..then call some dentist referrals..then say a prayer to the Poker Gods. Hmm..does anybody know who what diety that
might be?
EDIT TO ADD THIS PHOTO: QUECHAN CASINO AND RV GROUNDS
[Edited on 1-4-2011 by Pompano]
[Edited on 1-5-2011 by BajaNomad]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Brian L
Nomad
Posts: 250
Registered: 6-21-2010
Location: Alpine, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days
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I live a few miles away from Viejas. Pretty decent poker room. I play 3-6, and tournaments now and then. Sounds like you enjoy Omaha. That is too
hard for me. I will play it in home games, but the folks at the casino are way too good.
Poker God:
[Edited on 1-4-2011 by blane] - why isn't the image showing? Is it because it is a .gif?
[Edited on 1-4-2011 by blane]
[Edited on 1-5-2011 by BajaNomad]
Brian
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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At the Dentist's Office...Day 1 - root canal!
After signing up for a couple tournaments and a cash poker game at Quechan’s, I made the short 7 mile drive down to the border town of Algodones.
There is a large parking lot operated by the Quechan nation..very roomy, easy in and out, and only $7 a day for my large motorhome. I believe regular
size vehicles are $5. It’s right at the border walkway and very convenient for pedestrians to enter Mexico..and to return.
Below is a typical scene from Algodones downtown district. Lots of dentist and optometrist businesses of course…plus farmacias…and the never-ending
tourist items for your next garage sale.
Hawkers for the hundreds of dentists will try to catch your eye and shout out their offerings of ..”Looking for a dentist? Our guy is the best..also
the cheapest, senor! Come, take a look inside before it fills up with patients.”
And of course, the ever-present army was around, naturally.
Meet Dr. Edgar, dentist of 11 years in practice at Algodones. One of the many highly-qualified dentists I interviewed. He became my second choice,
but was a very close runner-up and I would not hesitate to use him. Qualified in root canals, also.
Checking diplomas is always important.
The dentist in the middle is my root canal specialist and is in partnership with my chosen main dentist on the right. I had a quick root canal done
by the specialist, Dr. Manuel Gonzalez. Now, I knew that this was going to be a very deep root canal and I had braced myself for some anticipated
discomfort. I did not feel a thing and actually spent the very short time thinking of pleasant Italian things.
Dr. Gonzalez had to tell me twice that he was done and I could sit up now…I might have been smiling.
After the painless root canal, I went into Dr. Luis Medina’s chair for an extraction of an old root canal..in preparation for my coming crowns and a
bridge. Again, painless and very professional work by Luis and his assistants. Can’t say enough good about this fine gentleman.
He had mucho honesty and integrity. He knew I was in a hurry to complete all my dental work and fly to Rome, but insisted if he was to do the work
that I wait for my crowns, etc. until this coming Friday. He wanted to make sure that I was healing properly from the root canal and extraction
before continuing with the crowns and a bridge.
He patiently explained that I could certainly go to a less conscientious dentist somewhere in Algodones, and get the work done in 2 days or less, but
he would not take that chance. That further convinced me I had made the right choice.
He made the Friday morning appt. for me and gave me a PX for the pain..which I never experienced..and also some meds for any infection that may be
present from my old root canal as a precaution. THESE MEDS WORKED THE WAY THEY SHOULD!!
Also a PX for any swelling or soreness that the the root canal dentist had prescribed…which Dr. Luis explained was plain IB Profen..and he asked me if
I have any at home? I told him I did..and he said, ‘Well Rogelio, then just take one of those 3 times a day for 3 days and save some money at the
farmacia.”
Pretty nice of him to offer that advice.
Well, that was a quick and successful first visit to Algodones. It was still early afternoon, and I had root canals and the extraction already out of
the way. Time to walk back across the border, which is a very easy task from anywhere in downtown Algodones.
The chain link pedestrian walkway channels reminded me of ..cattle chutes.
Well, I was all done for that day.. and I wanted to show off my new root canal and partial dental work..so I saw this pretty gal in the parking lot
and asked her what she thought?
I grinned with a big toothy smile for her...forgetting the crowns were not in yet..nor the bridge...sigh.
Hey…come on…it can’t be that bad….? Co-Pilot would show more restraint, I’m sure. Well, maybe a little grin, but that's all.
To Be Continued Friday..
[Edited on 1-5-2011 by BajaNomad]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline
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Please post or email your dentists contact info.
We will be heading down in February for similar treatment.
Glad to hear you're feeling better !!
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Sure thing, Ira...be glad to advertise a bit for him.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
Please post or email your dentists contact info.
We will be heading down in February for similar treatment.
Glad to hear you're feeling better !! |
Here it is:
Dr. Luis Medina
"A" Ave. & 2nd St.
Suite 205
Plaza Pueblo
Algodones, B.C.
phone 011-52-658-517-3360
USA phone (1) 928-227-1040
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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Sr. Rogelio,
I am glad for you that you found a reputable dentist that you trust
I hope all goes well for you, your teeth, and your poker
Don't believe everything you think....
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
Sr. Rogelio,
I am glad for you that you found a reputable dentist that you trust
I hope all goes well for you, your teeth, and your poker
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Didn't know there was anything wrong with his "poker"
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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Roger may not show us pics of his visit to the urologist....some things are best kept private
Don't believe everything you think....
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
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Hey Meester, my sister is a dentist.
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Vince
Nomad
Posts: 446
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Coronado
Member Is Offline
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You look alot better than you did in that Von's parking lot in Chula Vista. I read your BLOOD TRAIL thread, it fills in alot of gaps that I wondered
about. It still doesn't explain how you called me from Rosario but took 2 or 3 days to get to Chula Vista from there. I think you meant Guerro Negro
and the anemia was confusing you. The Consulate in TJ also thought that was what you meant. Like all of the other Nomads, we are glad you didn't crash
on the way up like I thought you probably did.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Thanks Vince...I'm feeling 1000% better. Maybe I should have brought my camera into the hospital and let the nurses take a few shots of that little
sojourn. 
I can't be positive, but I think I called you from GN..or maybe El Rosario (parked next to BajaCactus)..kinda fuzzy to remember.
Just glad to be here and planning a trip, thanks to you, amigo.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
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Be sure to tell future practioners about your significant GI bleed history Pompano.They should have given you list of medications to
avoid when you were discharged from the hospital. Be careful, most anti-inflammatories are on that list. Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin would not be the best
for you with such a recent gastric erosion. It doesn't take much to cause a problem. Take care.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Thanks for the aspirin/ibuprofen heads-up, oladulce..but I am well aware of the stomach problems these may cause to anemia and peptic ulcer ictims.
Plus, the Scripps doctors discussed this with me at length.
Hey...my first two years of college were in pre-med...I could hang out a shingle perhaps? How to doctor a poker hand....
Thanks again, I promise to be diligent. 
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pompano
Thanks for the aspirin/ibuprofen heads-up, oladulce..but I am well aware of the stomach problems these may cause to anemia and peptic ulcer ictims.
Plus, the Scripps doctors discussed this with me at length.
Hey...my first two years of college were in pre-med...I could hang out a shingle perhaps? How to doctor a poker hand....
Thanks again, I promise to be diligent. |
Rogelio,
As you probably know, Tylenol is not a blood thinner like the others mentioned. Also, have a CBC blood panel done to check your blood platelet count.
Life is a gamble. Just be sure that Poker is the most dangerous peril you encounter.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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What a coinkydink! Roger, if I had known you were looking for a dentist in Algodones, I would have recommended Dr. Manny. I am in his "Smile" club
through work. It costs me $25/mo, but gets good discounts for me and the Mrs. Also, for many gringos it may be important that he was trained in the
U.S. and speaks excellent English. I like the fact that he has state of the art equipment. Also, he has two waiting rooms, one with a coffee bar and
the other with a flat screen playing DVD's.
BTW, that casino is known locally as "The Q". It is the newest and biggest of the tribe's 3. The other 2, one smoking, one non, are in Winterhaven.
Then there's another one near Somerton run by the Cocopah.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Tony...yup, know about Tylenol..and more blood work? You've got to be kidding. I had so many done when I was in Scripps I began to suspect the place
was a nest of vampires feasting well as the sole beneficiaries of what was left of my blood supply.
I'm fine, I'm fine, don't worry..and...I'm trying to stay away from the boring habit that people of my age group seem to relish...talking about their
bodily functions...ugh.
I am functioning just dandy...fine as candy...and randy.
Ready to find that next adventure.....
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pompano
I am functioning just dandy...fine as candy...and randy.
Ready to find that next adventure..... |
Well...since you're so close to San Luis, you can take care of two of your issues. [sorry..no dandy candy] Have Oso guide you in to "Hot-As-Hell
Heaven."
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