Yay! The computers are working again at IMSS.  Pedro phoned to check yesterday so we decided to return to the office today.

But what a difference one day can make! We are greeted at the reception desk only to be told that sadly the computers are down AGAIN! But if we want to take a number and wait our turn, they will take down my name and CURP number and will email me when I can come back. We decide to wait.

Periodically one of the staff addressed everyone in the waiting room urging people to go to other IMSS locations. A second option was to complete a form and wait to be contacted as to when to return. The third option was to wait, and wait we did.

Almost three hours later it was our turn. By some miracle the computers were now working again, albeit extremely slowly. A mere half hour later , armed with yet another form with my new social security number, we trudged back up the stairs. Of course we had to take another number and wait our turn once again. And finally our number was called.

And the staff remembered us and were most friendly. Only one more form to fill out now. The form was in Spanish so Pedro filled it out and I signed it.  And then it was back down the stairs to get a form to take to the bank to pay the registration fee.  

Ah yes, the bank! There was a Bancomer right next to IMSS. But the fees cannot be paid at this bank. Bancomer is not on the list of approved banks by IMSS. Four blocks away we find an HSBC, a bank on the list! There was a short lineup here, so we were not able to enjoy the air-conditioned building for too long. 

Back we go to the IMSS building. Up the stairs we go again to see our friend Oscar. Yes, we are now on a first name basis with the staff. He explains in great detail the next steps in the process and hands me a sealed envelope containing more documents. I have been assigned to a clinic. I need to go to the director’s office where I will get an appointment to see a doctor. This doctor then examines me and approves my application. Then I am given more documents. And I need to bring these documents back to my friend Oscar at the IMSS office.

But all this will have to wait. I am off to Culiacan on Thursday to see my grandsons.

Stay tuned for Part 3……………..