El Dentista

Mulegé Rotary Club Clinic

Nov 212011

The Rotarian Dental Clinic was started 30 years ago in a small room in the local hospital. We now have approximately 1900 sq ft of clinic space.

The dental portion of the clinic consists of three suites for dentists, complete with X-ray in each room and all the necessary equipment to perform all aspects of dentistry with the exception of implants and crowns. The lab is equipped to make full and partial dentures. There are 25 part-time volunteers currently assisting at the clinic. Volunteers act as dental assistants, translators and office personnel along with 2 people who make dentures.

Additionally, there is an area for a chiropractor and dermatologist. We have a complete optical room with all equipment for complete eye examinations and stock over 3000 pairs of eyeglasses pre-marked with prescription.

Our clinic sees over 2,500 people every year, people come to the clinic from approximately 9000 square miles of mountain and desert area. We always need Dentists and Lab techs. It can be for a few days or for a month or longer.

The town of Mulege has a population of approximately 4000 residents and 2000 visitors during the winter months. There are restaurants and stores with local and imported food items from the United States and other countries. Entertainment is easy to find.

Scuba diving, fishing, miles of sandy beaches, a historic mission, an ancient prison open to the public, as well as cave paintings and many other sites are offered to make your stay interesting and very special. We furnish a house and a car on a first come basis. Also there can be fishing trips.

The Battle of Mulegé

Mulegé No Responses »

Nov 212011

“The Mexican-American War - Momentous events occurred in the outlying Mexican lands that are today a part of southwestern United States. Texas had declared itself a separate republic in the 1830&s, and the forces of Sam Houston defeated Mexico’s General Santa Ana. In Alta California, there were only scattered Mexican forces and settlers along the coast. English-speaking peoples from the east were migrating west and taking up lands. It became clear that both England and France coveted possession of Alta California and its fabulous harbor at San Francisco. By 1837, the United States was making proposals to Mexico for the purchase of Mexican lands in the west. A mood of expansionism, manifest destiny prevailed in the United States. In 1845, James Polk was elected president, standing on a political platform advocating the annexation of Texas and the purchase of Alta California from Mexico.

As a result of the election mandate, the United States issued, and received acceptance of, an invitation for Texas to join the Federal Union. This annexation infuriated Mexican authorities and resulted in armed conflict along the border. In addition to the issue of Texas, the United States had various grievances against Mexico and also feared the potential takeover of California by England or France. As a result, the United States declared war on May 11, 1846.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, the United States had been prepared to pay approximately $25 million for California, depending on the inclusion or exclusion of Baja California. This either/or proviso would seem to indicate that obtaining possession of Baja California was not a primary goal of the United States government. However, once war started, military steps were taken to bring the peninsula under United States authority.

The Fall of Mexico City

The decisive battles of the Mexican-American War took place in main land Mexico. Invading United States forces under the command of Zachary Taylor and Weinfield Scott conducted successful campaigns. The latter General captured Mexico City on September 14, 1847. Lesser actions took place in New Mexico and Alta California. Perhaps the least known of all were the battles that took place in the Baja Peninsula, where the fighting was actually heavier than it was to the north.

Commodore Sloat

A squadron of eight United States navy ships and their marine contingents had been stationed in Pacific waters for some time. They were commanded by Commodore John D. Sloat, who was under instructions to occupy San Francisco and other Alta California ports in the event of war with Mexico. Sloat stationed his fleet at Mazatlan, where there was a United States consul; it was apparently the best site along the entire Pacific coast for him to receive instruction from Washington.

On May 16, 1846, he received word that fighting had begun along the Rio Grande. While he did not know that war had been declared several days earlier, he moved his ships north along the California coast and during July, took possession of Monterey, San Francisco, and San Diego- without resistance.

After completing the assignment, some of the American ships returned south to blockade the Mexican coast and take possession of additional ports. In September 1846, these ships arrived in La Paz. The United States commander told local authorities they were under American control and secured an agreement that they would remain neutral. The United States forces were under orders to utilize this neutrality approach to pacify the Mexicans and to make them more receptive to change in authority. On March 29, 1847, the United States sloop Portsmouth sailed to San Jose del Cabo and imposed the same arrangement.

Prior to the declaration of war, the United States Congress had authorized the formation of battalions of volunteers as backup forces to the regular army. The first was to be the First Battalion of Volunteers from the State of New York. It was composed mostly of young boys eager for adventure and was referred to in New York newspapers as the Baby Regiment,

The Battalion was placed on ships and transported around Cape Horn to Alta California, where it arrived in spring 1947. The boys were assigned to guard the various towns in the region. Subsequently, two companies were ordered to La Paz, where they went ashore without incident on July 20, 1847.

Statement of Neutrality

Word reached the Mexican government of the neutral position taken by their small military force that was stationed at La Paz. In anger, they dispatched Captain Manual Piñada and a small group of officers and arms to take over military matters in the peninsula. Piñada had previous knowledge of the terrain and people of Baja. He crossed the Sea of Cortez from Guaymas and arrived at Mulegé in September 1847. Here, he organized the local people into a force to defend the peninsula from the Americans.

Hearing of Piñada’s arrival, the Americans dispatched the sloop Dale to Mulegé, where it arrived in October. The sloop’s commander sent a message ashore demanding that the inhabitants preserve neutrality. Piñada responded with a prideful message that he and his soldiers would defend their country until the last drop of blood was shed.

Hearing this, the United States commander sent boats ashore with some 60 men and a small artillery piece. Piñada and his small group of men fired upon this force. There followed a considerable exchange of gunfire, including some 135 canister shots from Dale. The Mexicans held fast, and by afternoon the Americans returned to their ship.

Having met with resistance, the Dale left Mulegé leaving a smaller ship behind to provide a blockade. All this action took place at the mouth of the Rio Santa Rosalia near El Sombretito, a small bit conspicuous peak that now bears the Mulegé lighthouse. It is in plain view from the highway and is several hundred yards from the Hotel Serenidad.

The heroic defense of Mulegé gave rise to considerable public spirit. Piñada was able to recruit a force that Mexican historians say numbered about 300 men. They came from the pueblos of San Ignacio, Mulegé, and Comondu, and later from San Antonio and Todo Santos.

Piñada marched his soldiers south. Part of the force was detached sent to San Jose del Cabo. On November 16, 1847, the main body of some 180 men under Piñada attacked the New York Volunteers who had fortified themselves within buildings in La Paz. There was to follow 12 days of fierce fighting, with the Americans defending themselves with cannon fire and by tearing down buildings, which were providing the Mexicans with cover. At one point these forces penetrated to within 100 feet of the fortified Americans, but Piñada finally had to withdraw due to lack of ammunition. After the fighting was over, American reinforcements arrived by sea.”

Mulegé, BCS, Mexico

Mulegé No Responses »

Nov 212011

LOCATION

Mulegé is an oasis town in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, situated at the mouth of the Río de Santa Rosalía and lies 38 miles south of the town of Santa Rosalia, one of the prettiest towns in Baja California Sur. It is the fourth-largest community in Mulegé Municipality. It had a population of nearly 4,000 according to the Mexican Federal census of 2010.The village is situated between two hills, in a valley provided with life by a stream that runs until it joins the estuary that lazily flows to the sea. Huge palm trees, orchards and fences where bougainvilleas of all colors tangle together edge it.

FOUNDING

The river valley of today’s Mulegé was discovered in 1702 by the Jesuit Father Juan Maria de Salvatierra as a place for a mission and consequently for a settlement. On his return from a trip to Sonora Father Salvatierra discovered this valley of the then-unnamed river, which was ideal for a mission and a settlement, because of its abundance of water. Salvatierra made his first exploration trip in 1702. In August 1703 the fathers Francisco María Piccolo and Juan María Basaldúa arrived. The last one, father Juan de Ugarte – a Honduran Missionary who left a deep mark on these lands – founded in 1705 the mission called Santa Rosalía de Mulegé. The origin of the name Mulegé drifts from the Cochimíes voices “Carmaañc galexá”, that means “Large Ravine of the White Mouth”.

Like everywhere in Central and South America, it was the Spanish Conquistadores and behind them, the Spanish Church, who established missions and settlements, with the intention of conquering the entire area for the Church and the Crown. On September 14 of 1719 the first vessel built in the Californias was launched in the Bay of Santa Inés, with wood from the mountainous region of Mulegé. The person responsible for this feat was father Juan de Ugarte who called the ship “Triunto de la Santa Cruz”. It is said that this ship served the colony for 54 years.

THE MISSION

In 1754 father Francisco Escalante began the formal construction of the church’s mission, which was completed in 1766. Built with stone, it’s characterized by it’s “L” form, by it’s tower erected several meters behind its main facade, and by it’s own suggested simplicity of the California missions. Abandoned in 1828, it has been restored several times. Actually it conserves the original appearance and in the interior a statue of Santa Rosalia and a bell, both from the XVII century.

HEROICA MULEGÉ

The official name of the town is “Heroica Mulegé.” This title is based on incidents during the American-Mexican war 1846-1848. The “Norte Americanos” tried to occupy long stretches of the Pacific coast like California, Baja California and New Mexico, which belonged to Mexico at that time. The effort was made as a blockade and to battle Mexican General Santa Ana who was fighting a war in Texas (the Battle of the Alamo, Battle of San Antonio, Battle of San Jacinto, and so on.) On October the 2nd of 1847, a heroic armed action took place here against the invaders. The Mexican forces formed by a military group and a numerous group of volunteers, Comundeños and natives and under the command of Capitán Manuel Piñada defeated the enemy. As a result Mulegé was not occupied and was rewarded the official title “Heroica Mulegé.” Even today, on any official letters of the Government of Baja California Sur you will find the title “Heroica Mulegé.”

THE PENITENTIARY

A special feature of the town is the old prison. It was erected completely without bars. The prisoners could freely walk around town and even go as far as to establish and maintain families. They just had to return to the prison in the evening. Escapes were rare because of the remoteness of Mulegé and until Mex 1 was paved there was nothing but empty desert to which to flee. Also, all prisoners had to agree to assist in tracking any escapist and assist in their capture. Today, the old prison is a museum suggesting a nominal (M$15) fee for entry. The Mulegé population lived together with all social classes to whom they offered respect and a fondness; maybe that’s why they are the best hosts in Baja California Sur.

ANCIENT ART

From the original groups that inhabited the area, there are known to be extraordinary samples of rupestrian art, that exist in the surroundings of this paradise called Mulegé, such as the cave paintings in the Sierra de San Borjita, the most well-known, photographed and investigated. There are also the paintings and petroglyphs of La Trinidad.

TOURISM

Mulegé has been a favorite traditional destination of the tourist who looks for rest and contemplation of nature. It also attracts the sport fishing lover, the history student and ecologist, the lover of the beautiful Bahía de Concepción a few kilometers from Mulegé with awesome landscapes and a multitude of beaches with soft, white sand: Santispac, Concepción, Los Cocos, El Burro, El Coyote, Buenaventura, El Requesón and Armenta.

The Mission, founded in 1705, is one of the most famous attractions in Mulegé. It is located high above the river, overlooking the entire river valley. The caves in the ‘Sierra de Guadalupe’ near Mulegé with extensive cave paintings are worth a visit, as are the caves in the ‘Sierra de San Borjita’ and La Trinidad. The regional museum (located in the old state penitentiary building) is a local monument. The banks of the river estuary and the beach at El Sombrerito are all recommended.

ECONOMY

All over the world Mulegé is famous for its rich fishing grounds in the Sea of Cortez. A warm current from the southern and a cold current from the northern Pacific come together in the Mulegé area of the Sea of Cortez and create a great variety of different fish species. The Sea of Cortez is named after the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés. In the past Mulegé made its living mostly from fishing and from farming produce. Today tourism is a major income source for Mulegé. Deep-sea fishing is one of Mulegé’s tourist attractions. Kayaking, cave tours and bird watching, fishing with or without charters to catch a big game fish are popular attractions.

Today’s tourism industry in Mulegé is based on the fact that in 1976 the Highway MX1 – a paved road – was constructed and Mulegé was easily accessible by land. A trip from the US border to Mulegé, which takes no more than 12 hours today, could last four or more days before the construction of today’s highway.

A major setback to the tourist industry in Mulegé was hurricane “John” in 2006, hurricane “Julio” in 2008 and hurricane “Jimena” in 2009. All three hurricanes created major precipitation followed by high floods. All over the Mulegé area from the Pacific to the Sea of Cortez rainfall and floods where devastating. Mulegé was flooded by over 20 feet of water at the highway bridge and by 6 feet in upper regions of town. Many homes located in the river valley where washed into the Sea of Cortez. Clean up is still not completed at this time, end of 2011.

CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE

The entire peninsula of Baja California is an area with one of the lowest precipitation rates in the world. Rain is rare but usually occurs between December and March, and hurricanes are occasionally a major threat to the Mulegé area. There is a saying in Baja California: “It never rains in Baja, but if it rains, it pours.” Due to fertile soil and a rich water supply in the Mulegé river valley, irrigation is possible like nowhere else in Baja California, making agriculture a booming industry. Farming is focused on all sorts of produce. Oranges, bananas, limes and mangoes, to name a few, are found in Mulegé and the surrounding area.

TRANSPORTATION

By land, Mulegé is accessible by Federal Highway 1, which runs from Tijuana at the US-MX border to Cabo San Lucas. The highway was built in 1975/76. Before that, Mulegé was only accessible via dirt road leading from Tijuana at the U.S. border to Cabo San Lucas at the southern-most point of Baja California Sur. The trip took about four days by car or truck. Considering that the ‘old road’ was just a dirt road leading through big lava fields with lava rocks, blown tires were very common those days and a breakdown was always blocking the road in one direction. Mulegé was also accessible by private aircraft, and of course by sea. Mulegé, as well as other towns of the entire peninsula, has been a destination for private air travel since the mid 1950s. Celebrities like John Wayne, to name just one, have visited Mulegé, mostly because Mexico had no regulation on alcohol. Even today the non-existence of any ‘Open Can Law’ attracts many Americans. The northern part of the Baja peninsula consists mostly of lava rocks and many streets even today are covered with those rocks. In the southern part – South of Ciudad Constitución – the land consists more of sand and gravel. NOTE: The northern part of the peninsula is named officially ‘Baja California’ while the southern part is named ‘Baja California Sur’. Both parts are separate Mexican states. Mulegé is served by three airstrips in the area which have no importance for public travel but are more for private air travel: a graded dirt & hoof strip that is somewhat maintained at the Serenidad Hotel. Extra caution is advised when using this airstrip as dogs and other animals as well as Mexican citizens are frequently crossing the strip. Also at high tide, the strip can be very muddy or even submerged. The strip is located only a very short distance from the Sea of Cortez, more or less at sea level Mulegé Municipal, and the farthest Punta San Pedro (at Concepción Bay). Regional flights are available at the Palo Verde Airport (to the north of town), and international flights are available at the Loreto Airport (123 km to the south).

THE MUNICIPALITY

Mulegé Municipality reaches from Guerrero Negro about 250 KM (156 mls) north of Mulegé to about 60 KM (40mls) south of Mulegé. But Mulegé is not the municipal seat. That is Santa Rosalia.

The mission in Mulegé is named “Misión de Santa Rosalía”. The mission in Santa Rosalia is named ”Misión Santa Bárbara”.

The river is officially named “Río de Santa Rosalía”, but usually called “Río Mulegé” There is no river in Santa Rosalía.

Dentistry in Mexico

Dentistry, Mulegé No Responses »

Oct 272011

Why Mexico?

Well, for a number of reasons.

First, there is an enormous need for good, qualified dentists in Mexico. Most of the smaller towns don’t even have one dentist let alone enough to handle their population. Of course that means that most of the people in the smaller towns have less than adequate dental health. Surely we should be able to assist people less fortunate than we are.

Secondly, most of the people in the small towns are very poor. I guess that’s why we call them Third-World – because they have less (of most everything) than we do. So, if I can offer my services for free to these local people wouldn’t that be a tremendous blessing for them? Of course it would. I’d love to be able to do that; however, there’s only one catch. I simply cannot afford to do this on my own. That’s why I’m asking for your help to make this project succeed.

Finally, I’d like to do this project for my own edification. Yes, I’d like to feel as though I’ve really accomplished something in my life. I’d like to feel as though I’ve reached out to those less fortunate and been able to help them with one of my skills. It would be wonderful if you could join me in this venture. I will keep this blog alive to let the digital world know exactly what we are doing.

What is the community like?

The community that I’ve targeted for my initial trip is about 3,300 miles from my home in Wisconsin. It’s a small town of 2,500 people and there is no dentist. However, there is a clinic there that is owned by the Rotary Club. I will be able to practice there in a very clean and supportive environment where we will be able to help an appreciative community.

Most of the townsfolk occupy themselves with farming, fishing or running the support facilities associated with a small town. Since I’ve been living in rural Wisconsin for the past fourteen years I ought to fit in quite well. Of course, my High School Spanish will have to improve, but I don’t feel that will be much of a problem.

When are we going?

We plan to leave Wisconsin on or about the 19th of December 2011. I’m going to drive my old beater Suburban down there and figure it will take nearly two weeks to make the trip. I’ll be taking plenty of camping gear, cooking equipment, minimal clothing, a kayak, some photo equipment, a few books and a laptop. That ought to just about fill up the Suburban.

How long will we stay?

Plans have been established to have me occupy the dental clinic during January and February of 2012. As I mentioned, I’ll be leaving Wisconsin mid-December. I’ll probably remain at the clinic a little longer than the necessary two months so I can help out with other aspects of running a free-clinic. All being said, I hope to be able to stay through the month of March. With another couple of weeks to make it back to Wisconsin – I’d say the trip will probably be about four or five months long.

What are the costs?

To get to the little Mexican town will probably cost me about $1,000 for gas, $1,000 for food and lodging on the way and about $250 for Mexican auto insurance.

Once there I’ll be staying in a little motel with daily linen changes and a small breakfast for about $300/month. Most of the monthly amenities shouldn’t run me any more than $300 to $400/month. That would be food, drink, toiletries and fishing bait There will probably be an occasional trip for local sightseeing and just for getting to know the surrounding area and the people.

The trip home will probably cost about the same as the trip down; about $2,000.

So, the grand total for the four to five months will probably cost in the neighborhood of $5,000 (about $1,000/month). That is my goal right now.

How can you help?

Your financial support would be greatly appreciated. I deeply understand that every time we turn around someone is standing there with his or her hand out asking for money. If it isn’t the local Sheriff it’s the disabled Vets. If it isn’t the Special Olympics it’s some fool who wants to go to Mexico and offer his dental services to the population of a small town. I would also like to borrow a 4′ x 6′ fully enclosed, lockable trailer for transporting supplies. It would be returned at the conclusion of the trip.

All I can say is I really think this is a worthwhile service that could benefit quite a few people who ordinarily would never have this opportunity. I’ve set up a link through PayPal where it’s possible to donate using credit cards, your own PayPal account or even eChecks from your own bank. You don’t even need to have a PayPal account to use this service. It’s all automatic, very secure and would be greatly appreciate. Since we are a 501(c)(3) organization your contribution is undoubtedly deductible.

We’ll be keeping the site updated with the total amount donated. We’re not going to list anyone’s name/amount (that would be silly). This will just be between you and the Guild. Here’s hoping you can assist us with our little dream of helping out a few people less fortunate than we are.

Actually, I’ve been rethinking the last statement. I believe I will offer a “Sponsors’ Ad” for any businesses that would like to donate and have a link to their own website. Contact me if you are interested.

El Dentista

Mulegé Rotary Club Clinic

The Battle of Mulegé

Mulegé, BCS, Mexico

LOCATION

FOUNDING

THE MISSION

HEROICA MULEGÉ

THE PENITENTIARY

ANCIENT ART

TOURISM

ECONOMY

CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE

TRANSPORTATION

THE MUNICIPALITY

Dentistry in Mexico

Why Mexico?

What is the community like?

When are we going?

How long will we stay?

What are the costs?

How can you help?

Donate to Dentistry in Mexico

Countdown To Departure

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