I know that's probably not technically correct, but the doctor's English was only fair and my Spanish is only fair, too. However, it all sounded serious enough, so I agreed to go. Two days later I was in a hospital bed. Santa Margarita hospital in downtown Guadalajara is a lovely place. It's a hundred year old building run by Carmelite nuns but, despite its age, it has been completely renovated inside, although the sunny open courtyards and arches and the other colonial touches have all been retained.
Nuns stride purposefully along the wide stone corridors.
Religious paintings, frescos and murals adorn the walls. A large impressive chapel is an integral part of the installation. Yet, as I was to discover, the surgical facilities are as complete and modern as any hospital anywhere. Cecilia and I checked in at 9 a.m. I should mention that it was a great relief for me to find that my wife was expected to accompany me and that a cot was provided for her in my room.