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than a day or two. If its any consolation, I have been told by Mexican friends
that they suffered the same symptoms while traveling in the U.S.

If you come down with a case of Tourista, the best thing to do is drink plen-

ty of fluids to replace those lost. Do not drink tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or
any alcoholic beverages. Eat only bland foods. I don't have to tell you to get
plenty of rest, because that is all you will feel like doing between making trips
to the bathroom. Pepto-Bismol or other peptic-based remedies usually help.
None of this is a cure. Only time will cure a traveler's diarrhea. If symptoms
persist, see a doctor. Most hotels have doctors on call, and they usually make
house calls.

I use a preventative method when traveling to foreign countries. I usually

take the prescribed amount of Pepto-Bismol for the first four days in country.
It works for me.

Sunburn

It's my guess that sunburn affects more Mazatlán visitors than all illnesses

and accidents combined. The nice warm sunshine and cool ocean breezes will
lull you into a false sense of comfort. I have witnessed fair-skinned tourists get
severe sunburn from just two to three hours in the sun. Rare cloudy days do
not protect your skin from the sun.

Bring along a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 25--and use

it. Apply it to all exposed parts of your body--head to toe. I mention that
because sunburned heads and feet are especially uncomfortable because your
hair must be combed, and shoes worn. My warnings to visiting friends and rel-
atives to wear hats and sunscreen bald heads have been mostly unheeded,
resulting in uncomfortable showers. Even though the sunscreen bottle may say
that the contents are waterproof, don't take any chances. Apply sunscreen
before and after swimming.

If you go fishing or on an excursion in a boat, bring along not only plenty

of sunscreen, but a pair of long pants and long-sleeve shirt. You never know
how long you will be out on the ocean. Engine failure or bad weather could
cause delays.

Dehydration

Perspiration causes body water loss, so it is important to replace fluids by

drinking plenty of water. Consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day--
more if you perspire excessively. No, all those cervesas and Margaritas will not
help keep you from becoming dehydrated. Neither will coffee, iced tea or cola
with caffeine. In fact, they will all increase your potential for dehydration.

Char les A. Hall