Dec 07, 2016
I seriously thought that I was going to die yesterday
The day started with our usual two mile beach walk followed by my daily exercise program. Colin dropped me at the ferry crossing to Mazatlan about 1PM.
The two bikes are rentals from a malecon shop in town. Tourists from Denmark ( fellow in the white hat on the right ) had rented them and brought them over to the Isla for a few hours.
There was also a Holland America ship in port for the day.
I really like this shot of the shrimp boat heading out to the ocean. That is a tuna boat in port on the left.
I was lucky and got the last pulmonia on the other side. My destination was Tippy Toes, where I have had my hair done here for years and years. It also happens to be the place in Maz to get a pedi/mani. I was early and enjoyed a chat with Deb and her other clients. Just before my 2PM appointment I used the washroom and found the door lock a bit sticky to open.
Once my hair was done, Colin who had come in to town, was in the chair getting his hair cut. I once again visited the washroom. This time the door lock would not open. It was just after 5PM and the majority of the staff were up front waiting to head home. I had observed just the one girl in the back area as I walked to the bano at the back of the shop. I turned the handle, struggled with an unmoving deadbolt and pushed and pulled the door. Nothing was budging.
Meanwhile I was getting very warm and short of breath. I am claustrophobic and was beginning to panic. I tried to calm myself to no avail. I seriously began to fear that I was trapped and would not get out. I began to pound on the door. My fists were sore. I was also screaming in both Spanish and English for help. I kept pounding and calling out for help. I became even warmer and my face was perspiring. I wanted out. There was no open area, I was totally closed in. No vents, no A/C, no open window, just me and a toilet and a sink. I began to hyperventilate. Be calm, I told myself. I wanted out, now 😯
Finally I heard a voice, it was one of the Mexicans who worked in the shop. Alex was trying to calm me and promised he would get me out. But when I wondered. I asked for Deborah the owner. She came to the door and I explained the urgency due to my claustrophobia. She got it right away as she shares the condition. Deb immediately sent all her staff out to get help, now! Apparently help came from many areas and there were many people outside the washroom trying to get me out. Meanwhile I continued to panic and felt that my air was almost gone. It took all I had to keep from screaming and pounding the walls.
At the top of the brown door was a window painted orange within a brown frame. The first plan was to break the window and have someone climb in and force the door or push me up and out over the window sill.
Colin vetoed that as I would likely be hit by the flying glass and how realistic was it to climb in over a shattered window, never mind getting me up and over it. They did try to shatter the window a few times. I screamed each time they hit it, the glass would not break.
Ideas came and went. Alex ( hands over his face ) was upset and felt helpless. He so wanted to rescue me.
Short of the military using a machine gun to open the stuck lock on the door, a battering ram of sorts was brought in by the caretaker next door.
I seriously was wondering if I would get out. By now everything from kicking in the door to using a knife to jimmy the lock had been tried. My need to get out was growing and I had serious trouble catching my breath. What to do? Thank goodness for Deborah who said ” take the door down”.
It was a steel door and the noise was terrifying. Bang! Bang! Suddenly with a horrendous noise the door was open.
I was crying and a tad hysterical. I realize now that everyone who had helped rescue me had disappeared as I came out of the bathroom. There was no one left to thank. I do wish I could have thanked the policeman who had broken open the door. Dear Alex kept asking if I wanted water, wine, anything, he had so much compassion.
It was a thick door and due to the usual things that happen in this type of climate, rust was the culprit.
I cried for a bit while Deborah held me and of course Colin was right there also. Deb finally finished Colin’s hair. What a crazy end of day for all of us.
Deb and I and her latest novel ‘A Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul’. Her smile is larger than mine, I was worn out. Just over 30 minutes in a locked bathroom will do that to you.
Despite the late hour Colin and I decided to head out for a quick meal. I needed a glass of wine and some food. For once the dogs could wait an hour. We walked over to Olas Altas and down to El Fish. They were closed for a private party 🙁 To heck with it. We hopped into the first empty pulmonia and off to the panga. As we crossed over to the Isla I realized it was dark and I had missed the sunset not to mention the departure of the cruise ship. At least I was alive.
We got back to the RV to find that a large unit had arrived and was parked just a few feet from us and they had had BBQ for dinner. Right under our living room windows. All our windows were open and the RV was full of BBQ meat fumes. Choke. Fans on full. Wine open ASAP. Finally the girls were fed and I somehow managed to make us an excellent dinner. I must still have been in shock 🙄 I then proceeded to listen to French Christmas carols for the next 3 hours at a rather loud volume. If I wasn’t directing the music and singers, I was dancing to the music. Colin was very patient and let me get it all out of my system. All the while I was calming my nerves with wine as well as music and dance.
I was totally back to normal this morning but with a lot more appreciation for life and those who are a part of my world.
This is how sunset began this evening.
Such a change moments later.
The colors were amazing from left to right.
I had already gone inside for the evening when I peaked out. All I can say is WOW! I have seen a similar photo on a friend’s FB page just a few hours ago, so yes folks this is really how the sun went down here tonight in Mazatlan.
I just want to tell you all how very much I appreciate each and every one of you. Please remember to live each day to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow may bring, never mind your next trip to a washroom 😉
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Contessa:
I’m so happy that you survived to post another day! I start my mornings looking for postings from “5C’s Que Pasa”.
Wow what an ordeal, panic is nit a good thing. Glad that all ended well.
I don’t suffer from claustrophobia thank goodness. But it still would have been an ordeal to be stuck in that bathroom. Glad your heart has slowed down.
How awful for you! NOT a happy ending to a pleasant day of hair and nails.
The longest half hour ever! Glad you had plenty of help and that Colin was there when you were set free. I would have been like you, get me otta here!
We were on the island of Crete going along a very small road, after turning a corner the hillside veiw down was so scary to me I begged Peter to stop the car and turn back. I was so freaked out that we would plunge off the road. A short while later when we had land on both sides of us we pulled over. I was shaking. A few minutes later a big bus came along the same road! I can not imagine how that driver or passengers could survive the ride. A fear of heights is not fun.
How long are your bbq neighbours there for?
That is terrible! I have claustrophobia as well – I cannot imagine! The lock broke on my apartment one time but I had windows and such and my boyfriend(30 years ago) on the other side trying to find the building manager.
Good grief. Good thing the police were there to get you out. I assume they responded quickly. Glad you’re okay. Keep wine handy.
Glad you are okay……that was a real rough adventure to go through.