El Brujo in Bucerias has been added to my restaurant "blacklist." We had awful service and a dreadful (and expensive) meal there last evening. The only good thing was the beachfront view of a spectacular sunset, and the restaurant can't take any credit for that!
Anyway, I slammed them in a TripAdvisor review this morning, so am feeling somewhat avenged.
It amazes us how the Mexican restauranteurs think it's okay to charge gourmet restaurant prices for pretty basic Mexican fare, poorly prepared and poorly served. They certainly aren't relying on repeat business.
It was quite a contrast to the wonderful service and food experienced on Christmas Day for dinner at Mezzogiorno (right next door to El Brujo). Mezzogiorno does it right - the vast majority of other Puerto Vallarta area restaurants do not.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thinking Ahead to 2012
Once Christmas Day has come and gone, my thoughts turn to the rapidly approaching new year. What will 2012 hold? What do I WANT it to hold?
I am pretty optimistic that 2012 should be better than 2009 (my mother's stroke, and ensuing estrangement from my older sister, "Gigi"), 2010 (my mother's death, and our condo flood and 4 months of repairs), and 2011 (my gall bladder surgery, never-ending cottage renovation nightmares and Home Depot kitchen misadventures, and the death of Gigi's elderly 2nd husband).
This past fall, I mentally worked through a lot of my issues with Gigi. I feel no active wrath or acrimony, and have apologized to her for my part in our estrangement and the hurt I caused. She accepted and reciprocated with her own apology.
Gigi now seems to want to resume some kind of sisterly relationship but, frankly, I am not so sure. Just because I harbour no active ill will or grudges doesn't mean I trust her, or want her to be much of a presence in my life. The bit of e-mail communication we've had has been chock-a-block full of questionable choices she's making re: romantic relationships (ah, suffice it to say the, um, paramours are not completely available) and she's also just lost her driver's licence for 3 months.
I offered sympathy on the driver's licence issue, but have maintained a purposeful silence on the romantic issues - those are land mines. If I told her what I really think, we'd be at each others' throats in no time.
I refuse to be cast in the role of someone whom she can rebel against - she seems to need that in her life. While our parents were alive, she rebelled against them. Now they are gone, and she insists on sharing upsetting things with me that she must know contravene my beliefs, morals and values. Who NEEDS it? NOT me.
One thing that my 2012 won't contain much of is Gigi - that is a fact.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
I am pretty optimistic that 2012 should be better than 2009 (my mother's stroke, and ensuing estrangement from my older sister, "Gigi"), 2010 (my mother's death, and our condo flood and 4 months of repairs), and 2011 (my gall bladder surgery, never-ending cottage renovation nightmares and Home Depot kitchen misadventures, and the death of Gigi's elderly 2nd husband).
This past fall, I mentally worked through a lot of my issues with Gigi. I feel no active wrath or acrimony, and have apologized to her for my part in our estrangement and the hurt I caused. She accepted and reciprocated with her own apology.
Gigi now seems to want to resume some kind of sisterly relationship but, frankly, I am not so sure. Just because I harbour no active ill will or grudges doesn't mean I trust her, or want her to be much of a presence in my life. The bit of e-mail communication we've had has been chock-a-block full of questionable choices she's making re: romantic relationships (ah, suffice it to say the, um, paramours are not completely available) and she's also just lost her driver's licence for 3 months.
I offered sympathy on the driver's licence issue, but have maintained a purposeful silence on the romantic issues - those are land mines. If I told her what I really think, we'd be at each others' throats in no time.
I refuse to be cast in the role of someone whom she can rebel against - she seems to need that in her life. While our parents were alive, she rebelled against them. Now they are gone, and she insists on sharing upsetting things with me that she must know contravene my beliefs, morals and values. Who NEEDS it? NOT me.
One thing that my 2012 won't contain much of is Gigi - that is a fact.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Feliz Navidad 2011!
It's a beautiful sunny Christmas day here in Mexico! And we have a warm, fuzzy feeling from knowing we contributed to making the day of some local kids here - we contributed to the Christmas gift toy drive organized by some ex pats, and helped out by our Canadian friend GW.
We (along with many others) handed cash to GW, and he did all the toy shopping - he's great at it! After the toy shopping run, he drove by our place and showed us a minivan full of things that will be sure to have the kiddies smiling today!
We've been in e-contact with friends and family, sending greetings and best holiday wishes...and once I do the dishes and make our bed, we'll be off to the beach for the day!
Christmas dinner tonight will be at our favourite beachfront restaurant, Mezzogiorno. I'm thinking spaghetti and meatballs - they do a fabulous rendition of this dish.
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
We (along with many others) handed cash to GW, and he did all the toy shopping - he's great at it! After the toy shopping run, he drove by our place and showed us a minivan full of things that will be sure to have the kiddies smiling today!
We've been in e-contact with friends and family, sending greetings and best holiday wishes...and once I do the dishes and make our bed, we'll be off to the beach for the day!
Christmas dinner tonight will be at our favourite beachfront restaurant, Mezzogiorno. I'm thinking spaghetti and meatballs - they do a fabulous rendition of this dish.
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Occidental Freeloading
This week we ran into friends (R & H) from back home who were down here on a pre-Christmas family vacation - staying in Nuevo at the Occidental Grand Vallarta. It was so nice to spend time with some pals who we had not seen in quite a while!
They invited us down to their resort to spend the afternoon yesterday. It's an all-inclusive and of course we weren't wearing the turquoise wristbands, so had to be "smuggled" in (which just means you try to act like you belong there, and always keep one wrist covered so security can't easily spot you as an outsider!).
The resort was very nice and we were most impressed with the food and drinks that R & H supplied us with poolside all afternoon. So many all-inclusives have so-so food and weak drinks, but not this place! We can recommend the Occidental Grand Vallarta on the basis of the food and beverages alone, but R & H's oceanfront room was very nice too.
We're looking forward to more visiting family and friends down here in 2012 - it can feel a bit lonely at times, even amid all the Canadian ex pats.
Feliz Navidad to all!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
They invited us down to their resort to spend the afternoon yesterday. It's an all-inclusive and of course we weren't wearing the turquoise wristbands, so had to be "smuggled" in (which just means you try to act like you belong there, and always keep one wrist covered so security can't easily spot you as an outsider!).
The resort was very nice and we were most impressed with the food and drinks that R & H supplied us with poolside all afternoon. So many all-inclusives have so-so food and weak drinks, but not this place! We can recommend the Occidental Grand Vallarta on the basis of the food and beverages alone, but R & H's oceanfront room was very nice too.
We're looking forward to more visiting family and friends down here in 2012 - it can feel a bit lonely at times, even amid all the Canadian ex pats.
Feliz Navidad to all!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Mexican Mysteries
Everything in life has an "arc" to it - i.e., a building up phase, a plateau, and then an inevitable decline. I think my 4 year (so far) Mexican sojourn arc has reached the decline phase. In fact, I don't think there was a plateau of enjoyment to cruise along for any significant phase. I have determined that everything in Mexico is about (expensive and laborious) building up, only to watch deterioration and decline immediately set in before your very eyes.
My essentially brand new "bonded leather" Boal sofa (which took 4 months and tons of pleading to even get delivered) which is less than 1.5 years old, and that we have only USED for a total of 5 months is cracking and peeling. It looks like it has leprosy!
We have no idea what happened or what is causing this. It's never in direct sunlight. Could it be the humidity during the portion of the year that we're not here? We had been assured that this sofa covering would stand up to the climate far better than other upholstery choices. I checked the warranty...one year. Great. I e-mailed Boal, the Mexican manufacturer, but doubt I will hear anything.
We may have better luck with Home Depot. John bought and installed two new ceiling fans from there a year ago. The one in the living room is now squealing like a cat caught in a fan belt. Does nothing last?
We are still stuck with the same moronic pool guy - who overchlorinates the pool water to the extent it would qualify as toxic; it equally destroys bathing suits and human skin. We have resorted to hiding the chlorine on him so he can't keep adding it. That was a week ago and the chlorine still tests as sky high. I expect to get skin damage from the sun down here, but NOT from the pool water.
I have had 3 plumbing incidents - one kitchen and two bathroom. The faucets and pipes here are just crap and spring leaks with no provocation. For some reason we have very little water pressure in the shower this year, so I am suffering from "low flow" hair that is never completely rinsed clean.
And then there is the mystery as to why our kitchen cabinets got repainted since April 2011 when we were last here. The white knobs on the cupboards are now covered in blue paint, which was not the case previously. Mexicans do not do any kind of proactive maintenance, and they don't do anything without being directed to and then paid for the work...which leaves us wondering - what went on in our kitchen over the last 8 months that it had to be repainted?? Guess we'll never know.
At least the (Canadian) guy we bought our car from has committed to fixing a spreading rust problem at his own expense (like the sofa, the car even has leprosy). We saw a small area of rust on it when we bought it and part of the deal was getting that totally fixed. The fix was apparently done during the summer of 2010 but, one year later, it is back and has spread like cancer.
Mexico is a country where gringos have to decide what they can afford - meaning what are you prepared to Fix Or Repair Daily. My stamina for this is circling the drain down which we are constantly pouring money.
Todo bien. (It's all good).
My essentially brand new "bonded leather" Boal sofa (which took 4 months and tons of pleading to even get delivered) which is less than 1.5 years old, and that we have only USED for a total of 5 months is cracking and peeling. It looks like it has leprosy!
We have no idea what happened or what is causing this. It's never in direct sunlight. Could it be the humidity during the portion of the year that we're not here? We had been assured that this sofa covering would stand up to the climate far better than other upholstery choices. I checked the warranty...one year. Great. I e-mailed Boal, the Mexican manufacturer, but doubt I will hear anything.
We may have better luck with Home Depot. John bought and installed two new ceiling fans from there a year ago. The one in the living room is now squealing like a cat caught in a fan belt. Does nothing last?
We are still stuck with the same moronic pool guy - who overchlorinates the pool water to the extent it would qualify as toxic; it equally destroys bathing suits and human skin. We have resorted to hiding the chlorine on him so he can't keep adding it. That was a week ago and the chlorine still tests as sky high. I expect to get skin damage from the sun down here, but NOT from the pool water.
I have had 3 plumbing incidents - one kitchen and two bathroom. The faucets and pipes here are just crap and spring leaks with no provocation. For some reason we have very little water pressure in the shower this year, so I am suffering from "low flow" hair that is never completely rinsed clean.
And then there is the mystery as to why our kitchen cabinets got repainted since April 2011 when we were last here. The white knobs on the cupboards are now covered in blue paint, which was not the case previously. Mexicans do not do any kind of proactive maintenance, and they don't do anything without being directed to and then paid for the work...which leaves us wondering - what went on in our kitchen over the last 8 months that it had to be repainted?? Guess we'll never know.
At least the (Canadian) guy we bought our car from has committed to fixing a spreading rust problem at his own expense (like the sofa, the car even has leprosy). We saw a small area of rust on it when we bought it and part of the deal was getting that totally fixed. The fix was apparently done during the summer of 2010 but, one year later, it is back and has spread like cancer.
Mexico is a country where gringos have to decide what they can afford - meaning what are you prepared to Fix Or Repair Daily. My stamina for this is circling the drain down which we are constantly pouring money.
Todo bien. (It's all good).
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Did You Hear My Head Explode?
There is a great line in the novel "The Help" that is a piece of advice from an experienced writer/editor to an aspiring writer - it goes something like this: Write about the things that disturb you, especially if they don't seem to disturb anyone else.
Well, I have been plenty disturbed these past 24 hours since my internet service provider took my website down through some oversight (on their part) in renewing my website domain. Well, they supposedly put it back up, but nothing about it works, at least not from Mexico. And isn't that exactly the point of the World Wide Web - your business can been seen/accessed globally?
Right now the internet connection to my website does not work, you cannot Google "recalibrate" and have it come up, nor does it come up under my lisamallett.com domain (that supposedly links directly to recalibrate). They have really screwed something up - including my business e-mail which no longer receives, and sending notes is a 50/50 crapshoot. And I am in the middle of a very busy week with Canadian clients and need all this stuff to be working.
Then there is the never-ending pool chemical saga. Our idiot pool guy here in Mexico (he truly is a moron) keeps the chlorine levels sky-high (for 4 years now that we are aware of). This is so NO algae will grow and he won't have anything to clean because nothing could live in that TOXIC water! Mind you - humans can't tolerate it either and one person has already had hives in reaction to the chlorine, and we're experiencing skin irritation from the pool water even though we shower as soon as we get out. We've complained AND had him professionally trained in Spanish - to NO AVAIL. We have now actually resorted to hiding the chlorine on him so he can't keep adding it! He is a chlorine addict and we are making him go cold turkey.
The lock on the front gate of our Mexican condo building broke and we tried very hrd to get it replaced so that the new lock would be set up to fit the existing keys that all the owners have. No - of course that didn't happen. We now have a new lock, that barely works better than the old broken one, and a bunch of new keys to somehow distribute to people who are back in Canada.
Then there's the fingerprint scanner at the gym that is the worst piece of technocrap ever invented. Day after day, it does not scan our index fingers and there is all kinds of angst at reception as to whether or not we will be admitted! When the high tech stuff fails, what gets us in is the little scrap of paper on which our first names and membership numbers were scrawled the day we signed up. Low tech carries the day each time.
So, I have to stop and remind myself why we are here. Why ARE we here? We are here mainly because of the weather - which is perfection (in our view) fron December to March. We are HERE, because we can't stand the "Wet Coast" at this time of year with all the clouds, rain, cold and wind. Okay, so chalk one up for Mexican weather. As to other things, like frustrations over faulty goods and shoddy services, well Canada ain't much better. The only thing is I can argue in English in Canada!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Well, I have been plenty disturbed these past 24 hours since my internet service provider took my website down through some oversight (on their part) in renewing my website domain. Well, they supposedly put it back up, but nothing about it works, at least not from Mexico. And isn't that exactly the point of the World Wide Web - your business can been seen/accessed globally?
Right now the internet connection to my website does not work, you cannot Google "recalibrate" and have it come up, nor does it come up under my lisamallett.com domain (that supposedly links directly to recalibrate). They have really screwed something up - including my business e-mail which no longer receives, and sending notes is a 50/50 crapshoot. And I am in the middle of a very busy week with Canadian clients and need all this stuff to be working.
Then there is the never-ending pool chemical saga. Our idiot pool guy here in Mexico (he truly is a moron) keeps the chlorine levels sky-high (for 4 years now that we are aware of). This is so NO algae will grow and he won't have anything to clean because nothing could live in that TOXIC water! Mind you - humans can't tolerate it either and one person has already had hives in reaction to the chlorine, and we're experiencing skin irritation from the pool water even though we shower as soon as we get out. We've complained AND had him professionally trained in Spanish - to NO AVAIL. We have now actually resorted to hiding the chlorine on him so he can't keep adding it! He is a chlorine addict and we are making him go cold turkey.
The lock on the front gate of our Mexican condo building broke and we tried very hrd to get it replaced so that the new lock would be set up to fit the existing keys that all the owners have. No - of course that didn't happen. We now have a new lock, that barely works better than the old broken one, and a bunch of new keys to somehow distribute to people who are back in Canada.
Then there's the fingerprint scanner at the gym that is the worst piece of technocrap ever invented. Day after day, it does not scan our index fingers and there is all kinds of angst at reception as to whether or not we will be admitted! When the high tech stuff fails, what gets us in is the little scrap of paper on which our first names and membership numbers were scrawled the day we signed up. Low tech carries the day each time.
So, I have to stop and remind myself why we are here. Why ARE we here? We are here mainly because of the weather - which is perfection (in our view) fron December to March. We are HERE, because we can't stand the "Wet Coast" at this time of year with all the clouds, rain, cold and wind. Okay, so chalk one up for Mexican weather. As to other things, like frustrations over faulty goods and shoddy services, well Canada ain't much better. The only thing is I can argue in English in Canada!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Monday, December 19, 2011
E-Life Passed Before My Eyes
John and I nearly had simultaneous coronaries this morning when I went to go onto the internet via my business (Recalibrate.com) homepage...and saw it was defunct. Instead of the familiar site of my homepage with the ocean, sky and sand, there was a odd listing in green and red graphics with my business name, the name that I have had for over 10 years.
My e-life (on-line business life) passed before my eyes as I realized the domain renewal deadline was yesterday, and it looked like my ISP web hosting provider had NOT renewed my domain name, despite being verbally reminded to do so last month. I kept my outward cool, despite being mentally plunged into despair at the thought that some vulture had been poised to steal my business name...and had succeeded - because I had trusted someone to do their job and they had failed.
This is one of my biggest challenges in life - trusting and relying on other people. It does seem to me that people let you down more often than they come through for you - even in situations where you are paying them and it is their professional responsibility to take the necessary actions.
We're 2 hours ahead of where my ISP is located, so we had some stressful time waiting for them to open so we could start phoning to find out what the "H E double toothpicks" was going on.
Turns out they HAD screwed up and, in doing a batch of domain renewals mine "slipped through the cracks." Luckily, they have a fail safe of holding the domain for 31 days post-lapse, so I have now been renewed and don't have to recreate my entire business with a whole new name and on-line presence, business cards, brochures etc...
I had flagged this in my November 2012 calendar and they are in for some MAJOR nagging next year, as I don't plan to go through this ever again.
Todo bien. (It's all good).
My e-life (on-line business life) passed before my eyes as I realized the domain renewal deadline was yesterday, and it looked like my ISP web hosting provider had NOT renewed my domain name, despite being verbally reminded to do so last month. I kept my outward cool, despite being mentally plunged into despair at the thought that some vulture had been poised to steal my business name...and had succeeded - because I had trusted someone to do their job and they had failed.
This is one of my biggest challenges in life - trusting and relying on other people. It does seem to me that people let you down more often than they come through for you - even in situations where you are paying them and it is their professional responsibility to take the necessary actions.
We're 2 hours ahead of where my ISP is located, so we had some stressful time waiting for them to open so we could start phoning to find out what the "H E double toothpicks" was going on.
Turns out they HAD screwed up and, in doing a batch of domain renewals mine "slipped through the cracks." Luckily, they have a fail safe of holding the domain for 31 days post-lapse, so I have now been renewed and don't have to recreate my entire business with a whole new name and on-line presence, business cards, brochures etc...
I had flagged this in my November 2012 calendar and they are in for some MAJOR nagging next year, as I don't plan to go through this ever again.
Todo bien. (It's all good).
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Our 20th Wedding Anniversary
My husband, John, always tells me he started to fall in love with me the evening he first saw a large(5 ft x 5 ft), abstract painting I had hanging in my home. It was over 21 years ago that he saw that painting (today it hangs in the front hall of our condo). We were married about 59 weeks after that evening and, today - December 7, 2011 - is our 20th wedding anniversary. Yay us!!
Since we first met, our lives have revolved a lot around aesthetics - we have travelled a fair bit and acquired art everywhere we have gone. And the beauty of the pieces we've chosen together is outweighed by their sentimental value to us - when we gaze at these works we are transported to where we were at that time in our lives and relationship. These works (mainly paintings, but also some glass work, pottery, metal work and wood carvings) form the emotional map of our life together.
About 16 years ago, while visiting Vancouver, we bought a lovely, bright landscape done by an artist named Nancy O'Toole. Today, while strolling the main street of Sidney, BC we looked in the windows of the Peninsula Gallery, and simultaneously exclaimed over the same painting..."Stranded in Tofino" by Michael O'Toole.
Yes, Michael is Nancy's son! We were thrilled, and bought the painting on the spot to commemorate our 20th wedding anniversary.
Twenty years is something to celebrate. Neither of us has ever lived with/spent 20 years with anyone, not even our families of origin! It's a marvellous thing to walk hand-in-hand along a street, to look in a shop window and exclaim at the same moment with the same passion about the same work of art. John just grinned at me from ear-to-ear and said "Wanna buy it?" "Duh!!" was my eloquent response.
Happy #20, my love!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Since we first met, our lives have revolved a lot around aesthetics - we have travelled a fair bit and acquired art everywhere we have gone. And the beauty of the pieces we've chosen together is outweighed by their sentimental value to us - when we gaze at these works we are transported to where we were at that time in our lives and relationship. These works (mainly paintings, but also some glass work, pottery, metal work and wood carvings) form the emotional map of our life together.
About 16 years ago, while visiting Vancouver, we bought a lovely, bright landscape done by an artist named Nancy O'Toole. Today, while strolling the main street of Sidney, BC we looked in the windows of the Peninsula Gallery, and simultaneously exclaimed over the same painting..."Stranded in Tofino" by Michael O'Toole.
Yes, Michael is Nancy's son! We were thrilled, and bought the painting on the spot to commemorate our 20th wedding anniversary.
Twenty years is something to celebrate. Neither of us has ever lived with/spent 20 years with anyone, not even our families of origin! It's a marvellous thing to walk hand-in-hand along a street, to look in a shop window and exclaim at the same moment with the same passion about the same work of art. John just grinned at me from ear-to-ear and said "Wanna buy it?" "Duh!!" was my eloquent response.
Happy #20, my love!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Monday, November 14, 2011
Fresh Starts
Life is just too short to be carrying around painful burdens from the past; life is also way too l-o-n-g to waste it carrying around a load of hurt and resentment.
I was really strugging with some very old wounds and old pain from years past...somehow unable to put them down and let them go. I was letting this pain and these hurts define me...after all, who would I be without them? Who would I be without my past struggles and ongoing resentments?
Things recently came to a head for me, and I didn't want to carry on any longer thinking and feeling the way I had been - it wasn't working for me any more.
I took the advice of some trusted colleagues and enrolled in "The Hoffman Process" - an intensive 8 day retreat experience designed to help you truly transform yourself and your experience of life.
All I will say is that "The Process" is powerful. It really works, and I have been able to understand, release, and forgive with compassion. The shift created for and in me is permanent, and I will continue to use the practices and tools I learned.
Part of completing the "Process" is taking a special walk, and I did that this weekend.
A mix of Darkness and Light will always be present in my life, just as the beach-and-sky scene where I concluded my walk was a turbulent mix of lightness and dark.
And I'm okay with it.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
I was really strugging with some very old wounds and old pain from years past...somehow unable to put them down and let them go. I was letting this pain and these hurts define me...after all, who would I be without them? Who would I be without my past struggles and ongoing resentments?
Things recently came to a head for me, and I didn't want to carry on any longer thinking and feeling the way I had been - it wasn't working for me any more.
I took the advice of some trusted colleagues and enrolled in "The Hoffman Process" - an intensive 8 day retreat experience designed to help you truly transform yourself and your experience of life.
All I will say is that "The Process" is powerful. It really works, and I have been able to understand, release, and forgive with compassion. The shift created for and in me is permanent, and I will continue to use the practices and tools I learned.
Part of completing the "Process" is taking a special walk, and I did that this weekend.
A mix of Darkness and Light will always be present in my life, just as the beach-and-sky scene where I concluded my walk was a turbulent mix of lightness and dark.
And I'm okay with it.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Occupy Wall Street
I almost stayed away from the cottage this weekend in order to attend the "Occupy Victoria" event due to happen today in Centennial Square right next to City Hall. I wish them a huge, peaceful, coherent and articulate turn-out for that rally. But, as my husband pointed out, we have only a few more weekends at the cottage this year, and he gets a bit weary from all the stuff there is to be angry about in the world.
I am excited and worried about the "Occupy" movement - it is in such danger of faltering, and is at such high risk of being successfully portrayed (by the "1%" and defenders of the "1%") as something it is not.
The "Occupy" protestors are getting accused of trying to generate "class warfare" but, as Bill Maher said on his October 14th "Real Time" show - the 1% is not a class, it's a club!
It is sublimely ridiculous that 1% of the US population - "The Club" receives most of the annual income generated in the US, controls the majority of the wealth (and political system), and pays little to no taxes (between 1998 and 2005 the Government Accounting Office of the US government determined that 2/3's of corporations actually paid NO taxes).
When the topic is raised of the obscenely rich perhaps paying a fairer share - the 99% get accused of trying to "steal from the rich" - which is what Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal said on CNN this morning; and he went further to say that what is needed is "a rising (economic) tide that will float all boats" and to not bother with looking at "dividing up the pie differently." I completely disagree. That pie totally needs to be divided differently! The 1% are not going to give up their stranglehold unless they are forced to (hopefully through appropriate legislative/regulatory and tax changes).
The problem is that since about 1980 (Reagan) the 1% have gone about systematically unravelling all the middle class gains and protections achieved since the stock market crash of 1929. Through cronyism, lobbying and political contributions, they have been busily influencing/dictating the dismantling the very legislative mechanisms and structures that enabled the rise of the middle class post-WWII, while also introducing measures, earmarks and loopholes etc. that favoured the lining of the 1%'s pockets. The 1% have been busy "stealing" from the 99% for decades.
The "financial services" industry has grown from about 8% of the US economy to 40% and many of the 1%'ers who work in it make BILLIONS when the stock market goes up OR down. The 2009 bonuses of the top 25 hedge fund managers would have paid the salaries of 458,000 teachers for a year! These players can and do manipulate the market to make sure they make oodles no matter whether stocks rise or fall - they are gaming the system they perverted. It is not a "free market" - it is a manipulated market controlled by 1% insiders who created the evils knows as Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs) and Credit Default Swaps (CDSs) - all of which is still going on!
I wouldn't care except their unbridled power and extensive financial tentacles now mean they are capable of bringing about total global economic financial collapse. And the greed they have demonstrated to date proves they will preside over such a collapse. I believe it is coming and the people in a position to stop it (President, Congress, Senate etc.) are ineffective and doing nothing. Hence, Occupy Wall Street springs up.
Those who dismiss and poo-poo the Occupy Wall Street movement do so at their own peril. They are hoping and wishing it will go away, but how can the 99% who are suffering be made to shut up and go away? They can't and they won't. Just sayin'.
Todo bien. (It's all good).
I am excited and worried about the "Occupy" movement - it is in such danger of faltering, and is at such high risk of being successfully portrayed (by the "1%" and defenders of the "1%") as something it is not.
The "Occupy" protestors are getting accused of trying to generate "class warfare" but, as Bill Maher said on his October 14th "Real Time" show - the 1% is not a class, it's a club!
It is sublimely ridiculous that 1% of the US population - "The Club" receives most of the annual income generated in the US, controls the majority of the wealth (and political system), and pays little to no taxes (between 1998 and 2005 the Government Accounting Office of the US government determined that 2/3's of corporations actually paid NO taxes).
When the topic is raised of the obscenely rich perhaps paying a fairer share - the 99% get accused of trying to "steal from the rich" - which is what Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal said on CNN this morning; and he went further to say that what is needed is "a rising (economic) tide that will float all boats" and to not bother with looking at "dividing up the pie differently." I completely disagree. That pie totally needs to be divided differently! The 1% are not going to give up their stranglehold unless they are forced to (hopefully through appropriate legislative/regulatory and tax changes).
The problem is that since about 1980 (Reagan) the 1% have gone about systematically unravelling all the middle class gains and protections achieved since the stock market crash of 1929. Through cronyism, lobbying and political contributions, they have been busily influencing/dictating the dismantling the very legislative mechanisms and structures that enabled the rise of the middle class post-WWII, while also introducing measures, earmarks and loopholes etc. that favoured the lining of the 1%'s pockets. The 1% have been busy "stealing" from the 99% for decades.
The "financial services" industry has grown from about 8% of the US economy to 40% and many of the 1%'ers who work in it make BILLIONS when the stock market goes up OR down. The 2009 bonuses of the top 25 hedge fund managers would have paid the salaries of 458,000 teachers for a year! These players can and do manipulate the market to make sure they make oodles no matter whether stocks rise or fall - they are gaming the system they perverted. It is not a "free market" - it is a manipulated market controlled by 1% insiders who created the evils knows as Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs) and Credit Default Swaps (CDSs) - all of which is still going on!
I wouldn't care except their unbridled power and extensive financial tentacles now mean they are capable of bringing about total global economic financial collapse. And the greed they have demonstrated to date proves they will preside over such a collapse. I believe it is coming and the people in a position to stop it (President, Congress, Senate etc.) are ineffective and doing nothing. Hence, Occupy Wall Street springs up.
Those who dismiss and poo-poo the Occupy Wall Street movement do so at their own peril. They are hoping and wishing it will go away, but how can the 99% who are suffering be made to shut up and go away? They can't and they won't. Just sayin'.
Todo bien. (It's all good).
Monday, October 10, 2011
The Great Pushback is Coming Part 2
I wrote the following blog post on an American website called "Vibrant Nation" (vibrantnation.com) back on February 20, 2011. And I caught a ton of vitriolic flak from the neo-conservatives, libertarians and Tea Party Republicans on that site. I've barely posted anything on that site since, due to the ignorant, neo-con bullies whose voices dominate the place.
Seeing what is happening this fall with "Occupy Wall Street" and other "Occupy" movements going on in other major American cities, I have to allow myself an "I told you so." And I hope this current democratic upswelling fares much better than the "Arab Spring" has.
First posted on Vibrant Nation on February 20, 2011:
"I haven’t been following the American news that closely this winter; it’s always the same and depressing how the middle and lower classes are just getting stomped. Why do they take it? Are they just so scared, and kept so busy trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their kids’ mouths, that they roll over and take it?
This latest nonsense going on about breaking government unions and not paying pensions is beyond the pale. You cannot do this to YOUR people; at least you can’t do it and not expect some revolutionary reactions!
Don’t those rich 400 Americans, whose annual income equals the combined annual income of 100 million of their fellow Americans, realize that this income inequality won’t be tolerated forever? If they don’t start sharing the wealth and paying a truly fair share of taxes, the masses will push back? In the famous call-to-action phrase from movie “Network”, people are “mad as hell and not going to take it any more!”
Investment banks, insurance companies and all their fraudulent ilk, who played fast and loose on Wall Street get bailed out and saved harmless (and are still collecting massive bonuses). Compare this to the plight of 35 and 40 year public sector employees who all paid into their pension plans as required, only to be now told their plans are broke (the employer never paid its share) and they will get zilch. Who is standing up for them?
How horrific to be in your 70′s or older and not get the pension you worked for for decades. There are no words to describe my distress and sympathy for them, and my rage-filled disgust for the people in power (over many years, not just those currently in power) who created this mess, and are allowing it to continue/worsen.
The little guy will soon be pushing back in ways the American governments (municipal, state and federal) simply cannot imagine. What other choice will the people have? When there is no longer any honour (i.e., social “contracts” are being broken or tossed aside) how should the populace behave?
Tahrir Square will be replicated all over America, is my prediction.
No todo bien. (It’s not all good.)"
Seeing what is happening this fall with "Occupy Wall Street" and other "Occupy" movements going on in other major American cities, I have to allow myself an "I told you so." And I hope this current democratic upswelling fares much better than the "Arab Spring" has.
First posted on Vibrant Nation on February 20, 2011:
"I haven’t been following the American news that closely this winter; it’s always the same and depressing how the middle and lower classes are just getting stomped. Why do they take it? Are they just so scared, and kept so busy trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their kids’ mouths, that they roll over and take it?
This latest nonsense going on about breaking government unions and not paying pensions is beyond the pale. You cannot do this to YOUR people; at least you can’t do it and not expect some revolutionary reactions!
Don’t those rich 400 Americans, whose annual income equals the combined annual income of 100 million of their fellow Americans, realize that this income inequality won’t be tolerated forever? If they don’t start sharing the wealth and paying a truly fair share of taxes, the masses will push back? In the famous call-to-action phrase from movie “Network”, people are “mad as hell and not going to take it any more!”
Investment banks, insurance companies and all their fraudulent ilk, who played fast and loose on Wall Street get bailed out and saved harmless (and are still collecting massive bonuses). Compare this to the plight of 35 and 40 year public sector employees who all paid into their pension plans as required, only to be now told their plans are broke (the employer never paid its share) and they will get zilch. Who is standing up for them?
How horrific to be in your 70′s or older and not get the pension you worked for for decades. There are no words to describe my distress and sympathy for them, and my rage-filled disgust for the people in power (over many years, not just those currently in power) who created this mess, and are allowing it to continue/worsen.
The little guy will soon be pushing back in ways the American governments (municipal, state and federal) simply cannot imagine. What other choice will the people have? When there is no longer any honour (i.e., social “contracts” are being broken or tossed aside) how should the populace behave?
Tahrir Square will be replicated all over America, is my prediction.
No todo bien. (It’s not all good.)"
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Still Crazy
It's been a few months since I last blogged. Things are still fairly crazy in my life. But, although "things" may be crazy, that doesn't have to make me crazy. Well, not crazy 24/7 anyway!
My goodness, where did the summer go? Here it is, the first day back to school and the official end of summer. Summer never really got started in our neck of the woods, so we are hoping for long, sunny, warm fall.
Summer kicked off for us with a great wedding we attended. I love seeing my husband in a tux!
We spent some quality time with good friends and family at our cottage this summer...we'd like to do even more of that before the season ends.
There's lots keeping us busy these days - no end of things and people that need tending to...including us. I have a funny feeling some things that have been on the back burner are about to get moved to the front burner - but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Wait and see.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
My goodness, where did the summer go? Here it is, the first day back to school and the official end of summer. Summer never really got started in our neck of the woods, so we are hoping for long, sunny, warm fall.
Summer kicked off for us with a great wedding we attended. I love seeing my husband in a tux!
We spent some quality time with good friends and family at our cottage this summer...we'd like to do even more of that before the season ends.
There's lots keeping us busy these days - no end of things and people that need tending to...including us. I have a funny feeling some things that have been on the back burner are about to get moved to the front burner - but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Wait and see.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Saturday, June 18, 2011
It's Been A While...
I took a break from blogging for a couple of months for a few reasons. The bottom line was I didn't feel like spending the time, especially when the focus would have been a lot of complaining.
Just like for the vast majority of people, my life is a series of ups and downs, and usually some combination of worry tinged with enjoyment, or enjoyment tinged with worry.
Although I sincerely do believe that "every complaint represents an opportunity for change", all too often things begin and end with the complaint and nothing changes (meaning I complain, and then I don't make a move to change anything.) Or, if I do choose to do something, it too frequently winds up feeling like I am tilting at windmills.
A couple of things happened that have caused me to reflect and question. First, I landed in hospital for emergency gall bladder surgery in May (turns out I did have gall stones and the ultrasound last year just didn't show them - so, five more attacks later, I was finally diagnosed with a stone lodged in my bile duct shutting down my liver...) I could not feel sorry for myself, in fact, I felt downright lucky to be dealing with such relatively minor surgery with quick recovery time. The hospital bed I landed in was on the cardiac ward and I was far younger and healthier than the patients getting their chests cracked open for by-pass surgery. Heavens above, please, may I never have to face that prospect.
I was recovered from surgery and able to make it to southern California two weeks later for an advanced coaching course that I had been looking forward to since last fall. I spent a wonderful week on a ranch outside San Luis Obispo working with some of the best coaches in the business - people from all over the world from whom I learned so much.
I got some feedback that confirmed for me I may have become too identified with my "Burning Woman" persona. The lead facilitator told me from my first e-mail communication that she got the impression of a "Valkyrie Warrior", and the co-facilitator said the required written work I sent in advance gave her the impression of someone who was an "Angry Sage." Definitely some things to work on here, obviously! I don't want my dominant vibe to be angry warrior, no matter how wise!
When I got home, I looked into the whole "Valkyrie Warrior" mythology, because something grabbed my attention about that label. I definitely related to the story of Brunhild, the Valkyrie warrior princess who disobeyed her parents and got put to sleep in a castle surrounded by a ring of fire - that only a true hero could cross to reach her and cut off her chainmail armour, thereby releasing her.
I found this image that I thought captured Brunhild, and I like it because the warrior looks fierce, but calm and peaceful.
That's what I am going for these days - still fierce, but calm and at peace. It's a work in progress! And I just might have to change the name of my blog.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Just like for the vast majority of people, my life is a series of ups and downs, and usually some combination of worry tinged with enjoyment, or enjoyment tinged with worry.
Although I sincerely do believe that "every complaint represents an opportunity for change", all too often things begin and end with the complaint and nothing changes (meaning I complain, and then I don't make a move to change anything.) Or, if I do choose to do something, it too frequently winds up feeling like I am tilting at windmills.
A couple of things happened that have caused me to reflect and question. First, I landed in hospital for emergency gall bladder surgery in May (turns out I did have gall stones and the ultrasound last year just didn't show them - so, five more attacks later, I was finally diagnosed with a stone lodged in my bile duct shutting down my liver...) I could not feel sorry for myself, in fact, I felt downright lucky to be dealing with such relatively minor surgery with quick recovery time. The hospital bed I landed in was on the cardiac ward and I was far younger and healthier than the patients getting their chests cracked open for by-pass surgery. Heavens above, please, may I never have to face that prospect.
I was recovered from surgery and able to make it to southern California two weeks later for an advanced coaching course that I had been looking forward to since last fall. I spent a wonderful week on a ranch outside San Luis Obispo working with some of the best coaches in the business - people from all over the world from whom I learned so much.
I got some feedback that confirmed for me I may have become too identified with my "Burning Woman" persona. The lead facilitator told me from my first e-mail communication that she got the impression of a "Valkyrie Warrior", and the co-facilitator said the required written work I sent in advance gave her the impression of someone who was an "Angry Sage." Definitely some things to work on here, obviously! I don't want my dominant vibe to be angry warrior, no matter how wise!
When I got home, I looked into the whole "Valkyrie Warrior" mythology, because something grabbed my attention about that label. I definitely related to the story of Brunhild, the Valkyrie warrior princess who disobeyed her parents and got put to sleep in a castle surrounded by a ring of fire - that only a true hero could cross to reach her and cut off her chainmail armour, thereby releasing her.
I found this image that I thought captured Brunhild, and I like it because the warrior looks fierce, but calm and peaceful.
That's what I am going for these days - still fierce, but calm and at peace. It's a work in progress! And I just might have to change the name of my blog.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Far From Over It
My older sister, "Gigi" and I have been estranged since July 2009 due to our differences of opinion re: managing our ill mother's affairs and, after her death in 2010, settling her estate. I've blogged about this in detail in previous posts, if gory details are desired.
Our mother did no estate planning, and she had an insane approach to managing her wealth. When she became completely incapacitated after a stroke in January 2009, I invoked the Power of Attorney she had granted me years before. I then embarked on MANY months of identifying and unravelling the rat's nest of her investment portfolio (which wound up being several hundred different financial instruments spread across more than 15 financial institutions - all of which had different processes, requirements, and hoops to jump through to enable some estate planning to happen). It was a never-ending, stressful nightmare, made worse by also dealing with our very sick, demanding, and abusive mother who wound up in a nursing home. Oh, and did I mention ALL of this fell on my shoulders as Gigi lives 3,000 km away?
I undertook countless hours of work to organize all our mother's financial and real estate affairs, plus dealt with her health situation and medical care. I kept Gigi fully apprised every gruesome step of the way, in writing (e-mail) and through regular phone calls.
At a certain stage, it became very apparent Gigi actually didn't care, and didn't pay any attention to the work I was doing, or the toll it was taking on me. From questions she later started to ask and concerns she started to raise, it dawned on me she either never read, or didn't remember, much of which I had taken such pains to communicate on all fronts (financial and medical) respecting our mother's situation. It was staggering to me, because I had been under the misconception that she would have some sympathy, understanding, appreciation, and support for the burden I was bearing for both of us. Instead, out of nowhere, she started to accuse me of nefarious intentions re: our mother's finances, and alluded to her suspicions that I could be "feathering my nest" at her expense and/or stealing our mother's condo out from under Gigi. The suspicions were totally groundless and I found them extremely insulting, especially in view of the total transparency and level of detail I had been regularly communicating to my sister.
It shocked me to find out that her attitude was basically one of "You could have moved away like me but you didn't, so you're there, you're stuck with it, suck it up, and you better make sure I get every penny of my half of the estate."
So, with the support and help of my wonderful husband, I soldiered on - first dealing with nursing home placements, then our mother's death and aftermath (from a Coroner's investigation as she died in a fire she started by lighting a Christmas candle, through to cremation and then spreading her ashes - Gigi declined involvement); getting the estate settlement underway including liquidating/consolidating a multitude of investments; undertaking the legal/probate process; getting the taxes done; and, packing up/selling her condo contents, cleaning the condo up and then selling it. I even was supoenaed and had to testify in place of my dead mother in a criminal court case (related to a break-in at her condo in 2005). All in all, it was a lot to deal with and handle.
As far as I could tell, all Gigi cared about was getting her hands on her inheritance. She did eventually agree to pay me a few thousand dollars from the estate to recompense me for my work as executor. I wasn't going to fight with her and accepted the figure she proposed, but it's a paltry amount compared to the time and work involved, and especially compared to what it would have cost to have a third party act as administrator for settling the estate (they charge a percentage of the total value of the estate).
I just filed our mother's final taxes for 2010. At some point later this year, I will be able to apply for a clearance certificate from the income tax folks that should enable final dividing of the remaining assets between Gigi and me, knowing the estate owes nothing further.
In the meantime, Gigi's very elderly (almost 80) and severely ailing husband passed away in mid-April. I sent our condolences.
Gigi called me today and it was the first time we've spoken since our mother died. The conversation was fine...until she got to discussing settling her husband's estate. She mentioned all was well organized and that all the proper prep work had been done in advance of his passing, and then, to my complete shock and utter amazement, she added "Aren't we lucky that Mum left everything so clean with her estate!"
I found this statement to be beyond stupid and insensitive. So, to this day, Gigi still doesn't understand that much of the reason we are estranged is because she so minimized, undervalued and dismissed my efforts to look after our mother and protect/preserve both our interests equally regarding the estate. She just does not get it. And even worse, it still pushes my buttons. I know I am far from being over this.
While not wanting to start another squabble, I quickly spoke up and reminded her (once again!) that nothing had been "clean" and how much work I had undertaken to organize everything over many, many months. She dismissively said "Oh yeah, you guys had to decipher all her hen-scratching about her investments" and I responded there was a lot more to it than that! And we both let it drop. Just like I will let the entire sibling relationship drop as soon as have sent Gigi her final inheritance payment. That day can't come soon enough.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Our mother did no estate planning, and she had an insane approach to managing her wealth. When she became completely incapacitated after a stroke in January 2009, I invoked the Power of Attorney she had granted me years before. I then embarked on MANY months of identifying and unravelling the rat's nest of her investment portfolio (which wound up being several hundred different financial instruments spread across more than 15 financial institutions - all of which had different processes, requirements, and hoops to jump through to enable some estate planning to happen). It was a never-ending, stressful nightmare, made worse by also dealing with our very sick, demanding, and abusive mother who wound up in a nursing home. Oh, and did I mention ALL of this fell on my shoulders as Gigi lives 3,000 km away?
I undertook countless hours of work to organize all our mother's financial and real estate affairs, plus dealt with her health situation and medical care. I kept Gigi fully apprised every gruesome step of the way, in writing (e-mail) and through regular phone calls.
At a certain stage, it became very apparent Gigi actually didn't care, and didn't pay any attention to the work I was doing, or the toll it was taking on me. From questions she later started to ask and concerns she started to raise, it dawned on me she either never read, or didn't remember, much of which I had taken such pains to communicate on all fronts (financial and medical) respecting our mother's situation. It was staggering to me, because I had been under the misconception that she would have some sympathy, understanding, appreciation, and support for the burden I was bearing for both of us. Instead, out of nowhere, she started to accuse me of nefarious intentions re: our mother's finances, and alluded to her suspicions that I could be "feathering my nest" at her expense and/or stealing our mother's condo out from under Gigi. The suspicions were totally groundless and I found them extremely insulting, especially in view of the total transparency and level of detail I had been regularly communicating to my sister.
It shocked me to find out that her attitude was basically one of "You could have moved away like me but you didn't, so you're there, you're stuck with it, suck it up, and you better make sure I get every penny of my half of the estate."
So, with the support and help of my wonderful husband, I soldiered on - first dealing with nursing home placements, then our mother's death and aftermath (from a Coroner's investigation as she died in a fire she started by lighting a Christmas candle, through to cremation and then spreading her ashes - Gigi declined involvement); getting the estate settlement underway including liquidating/consolidating a multitude of investments; undertaking the legal/probate process; getting the taxes done; and, packing up/selling her condo contents, cleaning the condo up and then selling it. I even was supoenaed and had to testify in place of my dead mother in a criminal court case (related to a break-in at her condo in 2005). All in all, it was a lot to deal with and handle.
As far as I could tell, all Gigi cared about was getting her hands on her inheritance. She did eventually agree to pay me a few thousand dollars from the estate to recompense me for my work as executor. I wasn't going to fight with her and accepted the figure she proposed, but it's a paltry amount compared to the time and work involved, and especially compared to what it would have cost to have a third party act as administrator for settling the estate (they charge a percentage of the total value of the estate).
I just filed our mother's final taxes for 2010. At some point later this year, I will be able to apply for a clearance certificate from the income tax folks that should enable final dividing of the remaining assets between Gigi and me, knowing the estate owes nothing further.
In the meantime, Gigi's very elderly (almost 80) and severely ailing husband passed away in mid-April. I sent our condolences.
Gigi called me today and it was the first time we've spoken since our mother died. The conversation was fine...until she got to discussing settling her husband's estate. She mentioned all was well organized and that all the proper prep work had been done in advance of his passing, and then, to my complete shock and utter amazement, she added "Aren't we lucky that Mum left everything so clean with her estate!"
I found this statement to be beyond stupid and insensitive. So, to this day, Gigi still doesn't understand that much of the reason we are estranged is because she so minimized, undervalued and dismissed my efforts to look after our mother and protect/preserve both our interests equally regarding the estate. She just does not get it. And even worse, it still pushes my buttons. I know I am far from being over this.
While not wanting to start another squabble, I quickly spoke up and reminded her (once again!) that nothing had been "clean" and how much work I had undertaken to organize everything over many, many months. She dismissively said "Oh yeah, you guys had to decipher all her hen-scratching about her investments" and I responded there was a lot more to it than that! And we both let it drop. Just like I will let the entire sibling relationship drop as soon as have sent Gigi her final inheritance payment. That day can't come soon enough.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Back to Reality
It's a sad and crappy fact that all good things come to an end. Then again, that universal law also means that bad things are finite, too.
The fact that the good times end means we have to recognize and relish them while they are happening. These are some of the memories that will sustain me in my dotage in the nursing home (should I be so unlucky as to wind up in such a place...as opposed to living a full-tilt life well into my late 70's, and just dying in my sleep one night - in my own bed, in my own home).
Mexico this winter was grand! We had the best time. Highlights included:
Finally finding "Philo's Bar" in the town of La Cruz, Nayarit. Great live music and a nightly crowd ready to dance and party. Apparently they stream music live over the internet on Wednesday nights, so we must try to tune in for some vicarious enjoyment.
We made in-roads into the Puerto Vallarta social "hoi-poloi" by winning a Valentine's Day contest sponsored by the chef/restaurant/hotel mogul Thierry Blouet, who has several restaurants in the Bay of Banderas area, plus the Hotel des Artistes in Punta de Mita. Being on their e-mail distribution list paid off with an invitation to the 3rd anniversary private wine and cheese party at the Cafe del Mar - a lovely and memorable evening.
Having friends visit from home is always a highlight, and we spent a fun evening at "The Cheeky Monkey" on the PV malecon with a gang from Mudge Island. This place has killer $1.00 margaritas and a fun-loving, attentive staff who make every visit one to remember (if you can!).
But, all good things come to an end. Just as you can't stop the world from endlessly turning, and the sun from rising and setting, it's important to simply savour the fleeting moments we are granted - moments of beauty, serenity, fun and comraderie...we need to capture and cherish them.
The threat of the nursing home looms large, because none of us knows what our future holds. It's SO important to enjoy the here and now, and whatever health, youth and vitality we have. Memories may have to sustain us through a lot in the future, and I am well armed!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
The fact that the good times end means we have to recognize and relish them while they are happening. These are some of the memories that will sustain me in my dotage in the nursing home (should I be so unlucky as to wind up in such a place...as opposed to living a full-tilt life well into my late 70's, and just dying in my sleep one night - in my own bed, in my own home).
Mexico this winter was grand! We had the best time. Highlights included:
Finally finding "Philo's Bar" in the town of La Cruz, Nayarit. Great live music and a nightly crowd ready to dance and party. Apparently they stream music live over the internet on Wednesday nights, so we must try to tune in for some vicarious enjoyment.
We made in-roads into the Puerto Vallarta social "hoi-poloi" by winning a Valentine's Day contest sponsored by the chef/restaurant/hotel mogul Thierry Blouet, who has several restaurants in the Bay of Banderas area, plus the Hotel des Artistes in Punta de Mita. Being on their e-mail distribution list paid off with an invitation to the 3rd anniversary private wine and cheese party at the Cafe del Mar - a lovely and memorable evening.
Having friends visit from home is always a highlight, and we spent a fun evening at "The Cheeky Monkey" on the PV malecon with a gang from Mudge Island. This place has killer $1.00 margaritas and a fun-loving, attentive staff who make every visit one to remember (if you can!).
But, all good things come to an end. Just as you can't stop the world from endlessly turning, and the sun from rising and setting, it's important to simply savour the fleeting moments we are granted - moments of beauty, serenity, fun and comraderie...we need to capture and cherish them.
The threat of the nursing home looms large, because none of us knows what our future holds. It's SO important to enjoy the here and now, and whatever health, youth and vitality we have. Memories may have to sustain us through a lot in the future, and I am well armed!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Remembering Japan
I have a solar-powered calculator in my wallet that isn't much bigger than a credit card. It was given to me as a souvenir gift in the spring of 1988, when I visited Japan on a six-week Rotary International exchange trip.
Twenty-three years ago, this little wafer of a calculator was really something - so small, so light, so useful. I've relied on it countless times over the years and, every time I pull it out of the special section of my wallet where I keep it, I remember when I got it and where I was.
That month and a half in Japan was a whirlwind. First, our team of 6 had a week of Berlitz language training in Tokyo where I learned enough Japanese to function and survive a number of interesting situations. These situations included politely fending off the occasional drunk Rotarian "homestay" host...to this day, the sound of ice cubes being swirled in a scotch glass and the music of Whitney Houston remind me of an evening spent dodging unwanted attentions, all of which were being communicated to me verbatim via a witless translator, right in front of the host's wife!
And I succeeded in diplomatically declining to eat certain culinary delicacies that were way beyond even my adventurous palate. I love most Japanese food, and during the junket I did manage to eat non-mainstream offerings such as raw shark's heart, raw chicken (I failed in my effort to communicate salmonella concerns, so swallowed it down and hoped for the best), and calf thyroid. But I drew the line at some really weird and unappetizing stuff that I have long since forgotten the names of.
After language immersion, it was on to one of the famous Bullet trains going northeast on the main island of Honshu; we spent the next five weeks in the exact geographic area now devastated by the earthquake and tsunami - including many towns in Miyagi Prefecture and the lovely city of Sendai.
It was a beautiful part of the country, filled with charming and hospitable people. I fondly remember how kind and gracious everyone was to us. In one town, I was invited to sit in the Mayor's chair in their municipal council chambers. It caused quite a stir when I complied, and many photos were taken of a smiling 28 year old me...after which it was explained to me that I was the first woman to EVER sit in that chair!
We toured many seaside towns, and took note of the harbours heavily fortified with huge concrete barriers intended to ward off/break up tsunami waves. We visited a tsunami research centre, and learned about the multitude of precautions and warning systems in place - these people were very aware and very prepared.
It's beyond terrible to see the unimaginable devastation that has now struck that area and all the people who live there. Because I actually spent some time there, I feel even more than the usual human connection and empathy for their losses and extreme suffering. I remember walking on their waterfronts, and along the streets of towns that have now been swept away.
But it's my teeny-tiny little calculator that keeps popping into my mind. It was a souvenir gift given to me when I visited and toured one of the Fukushima nuclear power plants in the region...one of the three nuclear energy stations now reported to be at severe risk of meltdown. I can't begin to imagine the heroic struggles going on at those power plants - really, a suicide mission...what they are likely being exposed to in their desperate efforts to keep the rest of the populace safe from radiation.
Even watching the tsunami disaster captured on amateur video, now being shown over and over on CNN, I can't fathom what's happened to them and the aftermath they are dealing with...and all the unknowns yet to come. It is heartbreaking.
And, it reminds me that I also live in an earthquake zone considered overdue for a "big one", and that I am really not prepared for the unthinkable (beyond having a few "earthquake kits" on hand). Although, and this is not an excuse for inaction, is there really any way to prepare for a natural disaster of a magnitude that's far, far, far beyond your worst imaginings or most horrific nightmare?
What's worse or harder - dying in the actual disaster...or living through all the devastation and utter destruction, facing/grieving the losses, and then somehow mustering the courage to move forward?
One thing I know from my time in that part of Japan - these are definitely people who will survive and overcome what has befallen them. My heart goes out to them as they face what has happened and what comes next.
"Dai jo bu". (I can't quite remember the correct spelling but, in Japanese, this phrase conveys a reassuring "It's okay.")
Twenty-three years ago, this little wafer of a calculator was really something - so small, so light, so useful. I've relied on it countless times over the years and, every time I pull it out of the special section of my wallet where I keep it, I remember when I got it and where I was.
That month and a half in Japan was a whirlwind. First, our team of 6 had a week of Berlitz language training in Tokyo where I learned enough Japanese to function and survive a number of interesting situations. These situations included politely fending off the occasional drunk Rotarian "homestay" host...to this day, the sound of ice cubes being swirled in a scotch glass and the music of Whitney Houston remind me of an evening spent dodging unwanted attentions, all of which were being communicated to me verbatim via a witless translator, right in front of the host's wife!
And I succeeded in diplomatically declining to eat certain culinary delicacies that were way beyond even my adventurous palate. I love most Japanese food, and during the junket I did manage to eat non-mainstream offerings such as raw shark's heart, raw chicken (I failed in my effort to communicate salmonella concerns, so swallowed it down and hoped for the best), and calf thyroid. But I drew the line at some really weird and unappetizing stuff that I have long since forgotten the names of.
After language immersion, it was on to one of the famous Bullet trains going northeast on the main island of Honshu; we spent the next five weeks in the exact geographic area now devastated by the earthquake and tsunami - including many towns in Miyagi Prefecture and the lovely city of Sendai.
It was a beautiful part of the country, filled with charming and hospitable people. I fondly remember how kind and gracious everyone was to us. In one town, I was invited to sit in the Mayor's chair in their municipal council chambers. It caused quite a stir when I complied, and many photos were taken of a smiling 28 year old me...after which it was explained to me that I was the first woman to EVER sit in that chair!
We toured many seaside towns, and took note of the harbours heavily fortified with huge concrete barriers intended to ward off/break up tsunami waves. We visited a tsunami research centre, and learned about the multitude of precautions and warning systems in place - these people were very aware and very prepared.
It's beyond terrible to see the unimaginable devastation that has now struck that area and all the people who live there. Because I actually spent some time there, I feel even more than the usual human connection and empathy for their losses and extreme suffering. I remember walking on their waterfronts, and along the streets of towns that have now been swept away.
But it's my teeny-tiny little calculator that keeps popping into my mind. It was a souvenir gift given to me when I visited and toured one of the Fukushima nuclear power plants in the region...one of the three nuclear energy stations now reported to be at severe risk of meltdown. I can't begin to imagine the heroic struggles going on at those power plants - really, a suicide mission...what they are likely being exposed to in their desperate efforts to keep the rest of the populace safe from radiation.
Even watching the tsunami disaster captured on amateur video, now being shown over and over on CNN, I can't fathom what's happened to them and the aftermath they are dealing with...and all the unknowns yet to come. It is heartbreaking.
And, it reminds me that I also live in an earthquake zone considered overdue for a "big one", and that I am really not prepared for the unthinkable (beyond having a few "earthquake kits" on hand). Although, and this is not an excuse for inaction, is there really any way to prepare for a natural disaster of a magnitude that's far, far, far beyond your worst imaginings or most horrific nightmare?
What's worse or harder - dying in the actual disaster...or living through all the devastation and utter destruction, facing/grieving the losses, and then somehow mustering the courage to move forward?
One thing I know from my time in that part of Japan - these are definitely people who will survive and overcome what has befallen them. My heart goes out to them as they face what has happened and what comes next.
"Dai jo bu". (I can't quite remember the correct spelling but, in Japanese, this phrase conveys a reassuring "It's okay.")
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Progress plus Mess Equals "Progmess"
We had to tear ourselves away from the Mexican sun, sand, and sea a week ago and return to the "Wet Coast" of BC. It hasn't been too bad, but given my 'druthers, I would still prefer being well south of here.
South, for us, means simple. Simple abode, simple lifestyle, fairly minimal and simple belongings...T-shirts, shorts, Crocs flip-flops, and bathings suits make up the majority of our clothing. Easy, breezy living - in 85 degree Fahrenheit temperatures with an endless blue sky, the invincible sun, exotic palm trees, and riotous, technicolour bouganvillia cascading over walls and sprouting out of every conceivable nook and cranny.
And the ocean - with an ever changing surf breaking on the soft, sandy shore. We tried to soak in and truly appreciate every moment of our time down south this winter, but the time just speeds by and it becomes a single blur of one, big, hot and sunny day-at-the-beach. One memory of a long, fabulous sunny day. It's fading as fast as my suntan.
Before we knew it, departure day was upon us. We had to come north because I was required to testify in a criminal trial, as a witness for the prosecution. We also needed to check in personally on 3 months of work on our cottage addition/renovation. A ton of work has been done in our absence and it's quite a transformation. We're really pleased, but there is still SO much to be done.
The interior finishing is about 50% complete, and it was the really m-e-s-s-y phase of dry walling. Oh my goodness, the coating of dry wall dust that's on everything...and the guys working on our place had done a lot of cleaning in anticipation of our arrival. But it's still a dirty, dusty mess and will be for quite a while. I spent the day washing down as much as I could and barely made a dent. There has been substantial progress, but it's still a mess, so I call that "prog-mess"!
I am happy with our wall paint colours - which range from a pale grey to a blue-tinged grey. I wanted a very neutral palette that I am calling "driftwood" - something that is restful and that reflects the natural surroundings. But I won't find this place at all restful until the renovation job is complete and the place is thoroughly clean!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
South, for us, means simple. Simple abode, simple lifestyle, fairly minimal and simple belongings...T-shirts, shorts, Crocs flip-flops, and bathings suits make up the majority of our clothing. Easy, breezy living - in 85 degree Fahrenheit temperatures with an endless blue sky, the invincible sun, exotic palm trees, and riotous, technicolour bouganvillia cascading over walls and sprouting out of every conceivable nook and cranny.
And the ocean - with an ever changing surf breaking on the soft, sandy shore. We tried to soak in and truly appreciate every moment of our time down south this winter, but the time just speeds by and it becomes a single blur of one, big, hot and sunny day-at-the-beach. One memory of a long, fabulous sunny day. It's fading as fast as my suntan.
Before we knew it, departure day was upon us. We had to come north because I was required to testify in a criminal trial, as a witness for the prosecution. We also needed to check in personally on 3 months of work on our cottage addition/renovation. A ton of work has been done in our absence and it's quite a transformation. We're really pleased, but there is still SO much to be done.
The interior finishing is about 50% complete, and it was the really m-e-s-s-y phase of dry walling. Oh my goodness, the coating of dry wall dust that's on everything...and the guys working on our place had done a lot of cleaning in anticipation of our arrival. But it's still a dirty, dusty mess and will be for quite a while. I spent the day washing down as much as I could and barely made a dent. There has been substantial progress, but it's still a mess, so I call that "prog-mess"!
I am happy with our wall paint colours - which range from a pale grey to a blue-tinged grey. I wanted a very neutral palette that I am calling "driftwood" - something that is restful and that reflects the natural surroundings. But I won't find this place at all restful until the renovation job is complete and the place is thoroughly clean!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Winding Down and Winding Up
I can't believe we're "suckers" in less than three days. That's what tourists on the departing jetliners we see out over the Bay of Banderas were dubbed a while back. It's smugly funny, when you're NOT soon-to-be-a-sucker yourself!
Today will still be quite normal but, tomorrow, we start packing and storing things away for the rainy summer season that is coming.
We're still managing to see and do new things here. Yesterday we lunched in the countryside at "Rancho Grande Los Pinas" (The Pine Big Ranch) and enjoyed a sweeping inland vista framed by the Sierra Madre mountains looming up behind Puerto Vallarta. And last night, we ventured out to the nearby town of La Cruz and finally found the famous "Philo's Bar" - one of the live music hot spots on the Riviera Nayarit.
The place was pretty full - turns out one of the regulars was celebrating a birthday and many had gathered in his honour. The mood was great, the music was R&B with hints of creole ("zydeco") sound, and we were even included when the huge, quadruple layer, chocolate decadence cake was cut and served! It was the first dessert I have tasted in at least 2 months, and I ate the whole slice. So, okay, I will lift a few more weights at the gym today.
One of the original songs by Philo sung last night was "Adios Mexico" and it was poignant for us.
Time just marches on, and change is continuous no matter where you are. The ownership/management at the country club (where we go to the gym) has just changed. By the time we come back next year, they will have displaced the gym (with the fabulous views of the pools, palms and grounds) and turned it into a 2 level restaurant. That will be nice, but our beloved gym is going to be relocated inside one of their other buildings and will have no windows or views. That makes me very sad and pre-nostalgic (i.e., I am already missing something that is still around at this time!).
I am going to miss the gorgeous warm weather, with the sun that caresses your skin like a solar embrace. I am going to miss wearing sundresses, shorts, T-shirts and flip-flop sandals. I am really going to miss having a tan. I am going to miss being l-a-z-y, because I have to get back to work and re-build a business decimated by the continued economic crunch.
While winding life down in Mexico, I have to wind up for a lot awaiting our return. The first thing I have to do when I get back is testify as a witness for the prosecution in a criminal trial (long story covered in another blog post awhile back). Talk about a rude shock to my system, especially in combination with the weather that awaits us (continued freezing cold and some snow).
This is getting me pre-depressed! I may just have to open that bottle of tequila we picked up at the Jaguar Ranch on our ATV tour and drown my pending "sucker" sorrows!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Today will still be quite normal but, tomorrow, we start packing and storing things away for the rainy summer season that is coming.
We're still managing to see and do new things here. Yesterday we lunched in the countryside at "Rancho Grande Los Pinas" (The Pine Big Ranch) and enjoyed a sweeping inland vista framed by the Sierra Madre mountains looming up behind Puerto Vallarta. And last night, we ventured out to the nearby town of La Cruz and finally found the famous "Philo's Bar" - one of the live music hot spots on the Riviera Nayarit.
The place was pretty full - turns out one of the regulars was celebrating a birthday and many had gathered in his honour. The mood was great, the music was R&B with hints of creole ("zydeco") sound, and we were even included when the huge, quadruple layer, chocolate decadence cake was cut and served! It was the first dessert I have tasted in at least 2 months, and I ate the whole slice. So, okay, I will lift a few more weights at the gym today.
One of the original songs by Philo sung last night was "Adios Mexico" and it was poignant for us.
Time just marches on, and change is continuous no matter where you are. The ownership/management at the country club (where we go to the gym) has just changed. By the time we come back next year, they will have displaced the gym (with the fabulous views of the pools, palms and grounds) and turned it into a 2 level restaurant. That will be nice, but our beloved gym is going to be relocated inside one of their other buildings and will have no windows or views. That makes me very sad and pre-nostalgic (i.e., I am already missing something that is still around at this time!).
I am going to miss the gorgeous warm weather, with the sun that caresses your skin like a solar embrace. I am going to miss wearing sundresses, shorts, T-shirts and flip-flop sandals. I am really going to miss having a tan. I am going to miss being l-a-z-y, because I have to get back to work and re-build a business decimated by the continued economic crunch.
While winding life down in Mexico, I have to wind up for a lot awaiting our return. The first thing I have to do when I get back is testify as a witness for the prosecution in a criminal trial (long story covered in another blog post awhile back). Talk about a rude shock to my system, especially in combination with the weather that awaits us (continued freezing cold and some snow).
This is getting me pre-depressed! I may just have to open that bottle of tequila we picked up at the Jaguar Ranch on our ATV tour and drown my pending "sucker" sorrows!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Fun Stuff!
I experienced being "Pigpen" last week when we did our ATV tour. Remember the "Peanuts" comic strip character perpetually surrounded by a dust cloud? That is the "Wild Vallarta" ATV experience through the dry, dusty trails inland from Bucerias!
They do give you goggles and a bandana, or you would not be able to see or breathe most of the time! We rode double on one ATV with John at the helm. It was a piece of junk that pulled really heavily to the right and had a sticky front brake. John wrestled with it for the first part of the trip, but swapped ATVs with one of the guides when we stopped in Valle de Banderas. Of course, the guide's ATV ran like a top, and from there the trip became much safer and more enjoyable - at least for John.
Our main destination was the lovely "Jaguar Ranch" and idyllic spot in the countryside where you can rest, order food and enjoy tequila tastings. We got off the ATV, removed helmets, goggles and bandanas...John gaped at me, burst out laughing, and said "I have NEVER seen you SO DIRTY!"
By this time we had our spare camera which friends had brought down to Puerto Vallarta with them. But I would not let John take a picture of me that filthy. It's true, I loathe being dirty and I didn't want to commemorate it! I'm glad we did the ATV trip - I had won it, so it was free; but it's not something I would ever do again.
Since we had also won that Valentine's dinner at the Cafe del Mar at the Hotel des Artistes in Punta de Mita, we are now on their e-mailing list; we got invited to their 3rd anniversary wine and cheese party with live jazz last evening. Wow - was it ever nice! I took lovely photos with my camera that I can't yet post as our main laptop is acting up so I can't download the photos to it, and my little netbook has no capacity. So, I snapped one with my BlackBerry and e-mailed it to myself so I could post it.
These are happy faces - shiny clean (not caked in dust!) enjoying a wonderful evening out sipping amazing wines and eating delicious nibblies at a luxury beachfront restaurant. Yeah, I would choose this over an ATV tour any time!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
They do give you goggles and a bandana, or you would not be able to see or breathe most of the time! We rode double on one ATV with John at the helm. It was a piece of junk that pulled really heavily to the right and had a sticky front brake. John wrestled with it for the first part of the trip, but swapped ATVs with one of the guides when we stopped in Valle de Banderas. Of course, the guide's ATV ran like a top, and from there the trip became much safer and more enjoyable - at least for John.
Our main destination was the lovely "Jaguar Ranch" and idyllic spot in the countryside where you can rest, order food and enjoy tequila tastings. We got off the ATV, removed helmets, goggles and bandanas...John gaped at me, burst out laughing, and said "I have NEVER seen you SO DIRTY!"
By this time we had our spare camera which friends had brought down to Puerto Vallarta with them. But I would not let John take a picture of me that filthy. It's true, I loathe being dirty and I didn't want to commemorate it! I'm glad we did the ATV trip - I had won it, so it was free; but it's not something I would ever do again.
Since we had also won that Valentine's dinner at the Cafe del Mar at the Hotel des Artistes in Punta de Mita, we are now on their e-mailing list; we got invited to their 3rd anniversary wine and cheese party with live jazz last evening. Wow - was it ever nice! I took lovely photos with my camera that I can't yet post as our main laptop is acting up so I can't download the photos to it, and my little netbook has no capacity. So, I snapped one with my BlackBerry and e-mailed it to myself so I could post it.
These are happy faces - shiny clean (not caked in dust!) enjoying a wonderful evening out sipping amazing wines and eating delicious nibblies at a luxury beachfront restaurant. Yeah, I would choose this over an ATV tour any time!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A Carefree Day
We had a fun day yesterday touring around with pals from home who are vacationing in Puerto Vallarta for a couple of weeks. We picked "S & M" up from their hotel and toured them all around Bucerias, Punta de Mita and Sayulita, on the Riviera Nayarit - stopping in all our favourite spots for the best views, food, and beverages along the way.
It was a pleasure to show them around - they loved it, and have such an appreciation for the beauty of the place and the people. It's fun to see everything afresh through their eyes, and to re-appreciate where we are...as the days dwindle down to our departure.
It was a "carefree" day as I was away from my laptop and not following the blow-by-blow of responses to my post "The Great Push Back is Coming" (which was re-published on another American site called Vibrant Nation). Since it's last update, my BlackBerry no longer can open the Vibrant Nation site, citing it's "too large." So, although I saw responses were coming in, I could not open and read them - which was just as well. Nothing spoiled my day with our companions.
I opened and read the Vibrant Nation posting thread this morning, and responded on the few things I felt were worthwhile to comment on. Most of the comments posted just made me shrug.
I am still feeling the pleasant experience and congenial vibes from yesterday, and am feeling free-to-not-care.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
It was a pleasure to show them around - they loved it, and have such an appreciation for the beauty of the place and the people. It's fun to see everything afresh through their eyes, and to re-appreciate where we are...as the days dwindle down to our departure.
It was a "carefree" day as I was away from my laptop and not following the blow-by-blow of responses to my post "The Great Push Back is Coming" (which was re-published on another American site called Vibrant Nation). Since it's last update, my BlackBerry no longer can open the Vibrant Nation site, citing it's "too large." So, although I saw responses were coming in, I could not open and read them - which was just as well. Nothing spoiled my day with our companions.
I opened and read the Vibrant Nation posting thread this morning, and responded on the few things I felt were worthwhile to comment on. Most of the comments posted just made me shrug.
I am still feeling the pleasant experience and congenial vibes from yesterday, and am feeling free-to-not-care.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Great Push Back is Coming
I haven't been following the American news that closely this winter; it's always the same and depressing how the middle and lower classes are just getting stomped. Why do they take it? Are they just so scared, and kept so busy trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their kids' mouths, that they roll over and take it?
This latest nonsense going on about breaking government unions and not paying pensions is beyond the pale. You cannot do this to YOUR people; at least you can't do it and not expect some revolutionary reactions!
Don't those rich 400 Americans, whose annual income equals the combined annual income of 100 million of their fellow Americans, realize that this income inequality won't be tolerated forever? If they don't start sharing the wealth and paying a truly fair share of taxes, the masses will push back? In the famous call-to-action phrase from movie "Network", people are "mad as hell and not going to take it any more!"
Investment banks, insurance companies and all their fraudulent ilk, who played fast and loose on Wall Street get bailed out and saved harmless (and are still collecting massive bonuses). Compare this to the plight of 35 and 40 year public sector employees who all paid into their pension plans as required, only to be now told their plans are broke (the employer never paid its share) and they will get zilch. Who is standing up for them?
How horrific to be in your 70's or older and not get the pension you worked for for decades. There are no words to describe my distress and sympathy for them, and my rage-filled disgust for the people in power (over many years, not just those currently in power) who created this mess, and are allowing it to continue/worsen.
The little guy will soon be pushing back in ways the American governments (municipal, state and federal) simply cannot imagine. What other choice will the people have? When there is no longer any honour (i.e., social "contracts" being broken or tossed aside) how should the populace behave? Tahrir Square will be replicated all over America, is my prediction.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
This latest nonsense going on about breaking government unions and not paying pensions is beyond the pale. You cannot do this to YOUR people; at least you can't do it and not expect some revolutionary reactions!
Don't those rich 400 Americans, whose annual income equals the combined annual income of 100 million of their fellow Americans, realize that this income inequality won't be tolerated forever? If they don't start sharing the wealth and paying a truly fair share of taxes, the masses will push back? In the famous call-to-action phrase from movie "Network", people are "mad as hell and not going to take it any more!"
Investment banks, insurance companies and all their fraudulent ilk, who played fast and loose on Wall Street get bailed out and saved harmless (and are still collecting massive bonuses). Compare this to the plight of 35 and 40 year public sector employees who all paid into their pension plans as required, only to be now told their plans are broke (the employer never paid its share) and they will get zilch. Who is standing up for them?
How horrific to be in your 70's or older and not get the pension you worked for for decades. There are no words to describe my distress and sympathy for them, and my rage-filled disgust for the people in power (over many years, not just those currently in power) who created this mess, and are allowing it to continue/worsen.
The little guy will soon be pushing back in ways the American governments (municipal, state and federal) simply cannot imagine. What other choice will the people have? When there is no longer any honour (i.e., social "contracts" being broken or tossed aside) how should the populace behave? Tahrir Square will be replicated all over America, is my prediction.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Friday, February 18, 2011
A Different Kind of Road Rage
The driving in Mexico enrages me. Everyone, Mexicans and gringos alike, treats the driving laws as if they are simply guidelines that you are free to follow or not. Mostly not.
I also find it terrifying that pretty much everyone (but especially the women, I must say) drives while talking on their cell phone or, worse, while texting!
Every day, on our less than 4 kilometre round trip to and from our gym, we see at least 4-5 outrageous examples of extremely reckless driving that endangers everyone around (and often us). These include dangerous moves such as: running red lights (like a full 2-3 seconds after the light has gone red, and even making left turns against oncoming highway traffic when the turning lane light is red!), illegal turns, improper/illegal merging, illegal U-turns, illegal passing, and speeding galore.
In every other situation where I have seen Mexicans required to line up and peacefully wait their turn, they will do it, patiently and with good humour. Whereas I almost lose my mind in the 2 hour lines at the TelCel store, they seem content to wait. But, put them behind the wheel of a car and they immediately need to be FIRST, and NOW! They can't seem to stand to have anyone in front of them and seem prepared to play bumper cars or risk their lives (and yours) to get to the front of the traffic. It just makes no sense to me.
Yesterday morning we were on our way to the gym and witnessed something that had us feeling ill for hours. We were on the side ("lateral") road just pulling up to wait to turn left across and off the highway. Right next to us was the 4 lane divided highway to Puerto Vallarta; the two southbound lanes were beside us. Ahead of us in the near right lane of the highway (on our left) was a car stopped at the red light. A Jeep Wrangler (a gringo driver, we believe) suddenly appeared from behind at high speed in the right lane (on our left), probably realizing much too late the light ahead was red and the car in front of him was stopped. He wrenched the wheel left to go around the stopped car at about 60 miles an hour - in the process totally cutting off the car in the left lane of the highway that was pulling up to the red light. The Jeep Wrangler driver inserted his careening vehicle at deadly speed between these two other cars like it was an Indie 500 race track with maybe 2 inches to spare and sailed through a red light! It was breathtakingly awful to see how close complete disaster came - grievous injury and death - in the wink of an eye.
There were some guardian angels at work in that intersection. It doesn't take any imagination to realize the carnage that would have resulted if he hadn't been insanely lucky to thread that needle between the two other cars. At his speed and trajectory, he and the two other cars would have been rocketed into the intersection into other vehicles as well as pedestrians. It would have been a bloodbath. We were very shaken by what almost occurred, and I pray others were as well - especially that Jeep driver!
I blame a few things for this kind of driving:
1) Hollywood Movies - for making people think it's acceptable to drive on city streets and highways like it's a Nascar track.
2) Video Games - for making people think after getting injured or killed, you can simply hit a "Reset" button and carry on.
3) The Education System - for failing to make people understand the laws of physics.
End of rant.
Todo bien. (It's all good...except for the driving).
I also find it terrifying that pretty much everyone (but especially the women, I must say) drives while talking on their cell phone or, worse, while texting!
Every day, on our less than 4 kilometre round trip to and from our gym, we see at least 4-5 outrageous examples of extremely reckless driving that endangers everyone around (and often us). These include dangerous moves such as: running red lights (like a full 2-3 seconds after the light has gone red, and even making left turns against oncoming highway traffic when the turning lane light is red!), illegal turns, improper/illegal merging, illegal U-turns, illegal passing, and speeding galore.
In every other situation where I have seen Mexicans required to line up and peacefully wait their turn, they will do it, patiently and with good humour. Whereas I almost lose my mind in the 2 hour lines at the TelCel store, they seem content to wait. But, put them behind the wheel of a car and they immediately need to be FIRST, and NOW! They can't seem to stand to have anyone in front of them and seem prepared to play bumper cars or risk their lives (and yours) to get to the front of the traffic. It just makes no sense to me.
Yesterday morning we were on our way to the gym and witnessed something that had us feeling ill for hours. We were on the side ("lateral") road just pulling up to wait to turn left across and off the highway. Right next to us was the 4 lane divided highway to Puerto Vallarta; the two southbound lanes were beside us. Ahead of us in the near right lane of the highway (on our left) was a car stopped at the red light. A Jeep Wrangler (a gringo driver, we believe) suddenly appeared from behind at high speed in the right lane (on our left), probably realizing much too late the light ahead was red and the car in front of him was stopped. He wrenched the wheel left to go around the stopped car at about 60 miles an hour - in the process totally cutting off the car in the left lane of the highway that was pulling up to the red light. The Jeep Wrangler driver inserted his careening vehicle at deadly speed between these two other cars like it was an Indie 500 race track with maybe 2 inches to spare and sailed through a red light! It was breathtakingly awful to see how close complete disaster came - grievous injury and death - in the wink of an eye.
There were some guardian angels at work in that intersection. It doesn't take any imagination to realize the carnage that would have resulted if he hadn't been insanely lucky to thread that needle between the two other cars. At his speed and trajectory, he and the two other cars would have been rocketed into the intersection into other vehicles as well as pedestrians. It would have been a bloodbath. We were very shaken by what almost occurred, and I pray others were as well - especially that Jeep driver!
I blame a few things for this kind of driving:
1) Hollywood Movies - for making people think it's acceptable to drive on city streets and highways like it's a Nascar track.
2) Video Games - for making people think after getting injured or killed, you can simply hit a "Reset" button and carry on.
3) The Education System - for failing to make people understand the laws of physics.
End of rant.
Todo bien. (It's all good...except for the driving).
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Mezzogiorno
One of our favourite restaurants of all time is here in Bucerias - Mezzogiorno. It's in an older home, right on the beach, that was converted into a sophisticated Italian bistro.
Their website and photos do the place far more visual justice than I can, especially since my camera got broken and I am operating off my BlackBerry camera (sorry Research In Motion, but your camera function isn't great on your device). Check them out at www.mezzogiorno.com.mx - it will feel like you've had an exotic break away just looking at the pictures on their site.
We stopped by for an impromptu lunch on Valentine's Day and were immediately greeted by name ("Hi Lisa and John") as soon as we walked in. We're kind of semi-regulars, but there is no way I would expect pretty much all the waiters to remember us by name! It makes you feel pretty special, I must say.
We shared a Caprese salad, done with lightly roasted and peeled tomatoes, the most delectable boconcini cheese, and a tart-sweet balsamic reduction...in a word, divine.
After that, we shared one of their ciabatta sandwiches made with roasted Mediterranean veggies, cured ham, mortadella and provolone cheeses, served with a side salad. You can see why we shared it - the portions are generous. Their ciabatta bread melts in your mouth, versus the styrofoam that most ciabatta resembles.
I'm sure we'll fit in a couple of more visits to Mezzogiorno before we depart - either for lunch or dinner, or an afternoon spent at "M On The Beach" which is their beach lounge area with chaises, beach towels and umbrellas provided for your comfort as you contemplate the surf and sip your drink. There's no better place to take in the sunset.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Their website and photos do the place far more visual justice than I can, especially since my camera got broken and I am operating off my BlackBerry camera (sorry Research In Motion, but your camera function isn't great on your device). Check them out at www.mezzogiorno.com.mx - it will feel like you've had an exotic break away just looking at the pictures on their site.
We stopped by for an impromptu lunch on Valentine's Day and were immediately greeted by name ("Hi Lisa and John") as soon as we walked in. We're kind of semi-regulars, but there is no way I would expect pretty much all the waiters to remember us by name! It makes you feel pretty special, I must say.
We shared a Caprese salad, done with lightly roasted and peeled tomatoes, the most delectable boconcini cheese, and a tart-sweet balsamic reduction...in a word, divine.
After that, we shared one of their ciabatta sandwiches made with roasted Mediterranean veggies, cured ham, mortadella and provolone cheeses, served with a side salad. You can see why we shared it - the portions are generous. Their ciabatta bread melts in your mouth, versus the styrofoam that most ciabatta resembles.
I'm sure we'll fit in a couple of more visits to Mezzogiorno before we depart - either for lunch or dinner, or an afternoon spent at "M On The Beach" which is their beach lounge area with chaises, beach towels and umbrellas provided for your comfort as you contemplate the surf and sip your drink. There's no better place to take in the sunset.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Hair God and Tapas del Mundo
I spent yesterday afternoon at "Fer's Salon" located on Calle Agustin Melgar, getting a full head of highlights and a cut by Fernando (I think of him as the "Hair God"). I can't believe this salon is just around the corner and down the street from our condo - this fellow is amazingly talented. Everyone walks out of there looking absolutely great, which convinced me to give him a try last year. All I had last year was a haircut, but it was the best cut I've ever had. And even with a 20% tip it still only cost me $15.00! Unbelievable.
Two different hairdressers back in Canada could not replicate the cut throughout 2010. I was so frustrated - I had pictures and described what Fernando had done and what I wanted, but they could not reproduce it for me (even at $80.00 a pop including tip). So, I suffered until I could get back to Bucerias and get an appointment with Fernando. But, in the interim, I had serious fantasies of spotting a cheap flight to Mexico and coming down just for the weekend to get a haircut. Yes, he's that good.
So, I made my appointment and finally saw Fernando yesterday, for two tones of blonde highlights to cover my dishwater brown/grey roots, and a cut ("layered bob"). He speaks enough English to discuss your colour/cut preferences, and then you just have to sit back and let him work his magic. It takes a little bit of faith, as he does interpret what you want and adds his own ideas.
The two tones of blonde he chose for me were "caramel and gold" (mmmm, two of my favourite things!!) and he gave me quite a bit shorter cut than I had been imagining, but I think it works.
I had John takes 360 degree photos when I got home so I can show them to future hairdressers in Canada in the vain hope that someone will be able to style my hair the same way. Now for the best part, with a 25% tip, the colour highlights and cut cost me all of $80.00! At home, I pay three times that much - and still don't get the cut I want. It almost makes economic sense to fly down for the service!
Anway, as I saved so much money at the salon, we went out to "Tapas del Mundo" for dinner.
The chef/owner interacts a lot with the diners - his signature thing is basically to hurl abuse at his patrons (the restaurant's tag line is "No Crybabies"!). We like it, but you really have to be in the mood for it (and we were).
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Two different hairdressers back in Canada could not replicate the cut throughout 2010. I was so frustrated - I had pictures and described what Fernando had done and what I wanted, but they could not reproduce it for me (even at $80.00 a pop including tip). So, I suffered until I could get back to Bucerias and get an appointment with Fernando. But, in the interim, I had serious fantasies of spotting a cheap flight to Mexico and coming down just for the weekend to get a haircut. Yes, he's that good.
So, I made my appointment and finally saw Fernando yesterday, for two tones of blonde highlights to cover my dishwater brown/grey roots, and a cut ("layered bob"). He speaks enough English to discuss your colour/cut preferences, and then you just have to sit back and let him work his magic. It takes a little bit of faith, as he does interpret what you want and adds his own ideas.
The two tones of blonde he chose for me were "caramel and gold" (mmmm, two of my favourite things!!) and he gave me quite a bit shorter cut than I had been imagining, but I think it works.
I had John takes 360 degree photos when I got home so I can show them to future hairdressers in Canada in the vain hope that someone will be able to style my hair the same way. Now for the best part, with a 25% tip, the colour highlights and cut cost me all of $80.00! At home, I pay three times that much - and still don't get the cut I want. It almost makes economic sense to fly down for the service!
Anway, as I saved so much money at the salon, we went out to "Tapas del Mundo" for dinner.
The chef/owner interacts a lot with the diners - his signature thing is basically to hurl abuse at his patrons (the restaurant's tag line is "No Crybabies"!). We like it, but you really have to be in the mood for it (and we were).
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Good Luck and Bad Luck
I'm still concerned about the bad "ju ju" from 2010 carrying forward into 2011. Overall, things have been much better this year than last - no deaths or floods so far (no exaggeration, that's how 2010 got started). But, luck is a tricky thing and ours continues to be a mixed bag.
Take our lovely day at the Puerto Vallarta Beach Club. We enjoyed a very luxurious and exclusive experience at the finest locale - everything was simply wonderful. Until I handed my camera to a stranger and asked him to please take a photo, and the next thing I knew he dropped it smack onto a tile floor. Turns out it's unrepairable, so I will be camera-challenged for the rest of this trip. I will have to rely on my BlackBerry camera, which is pretty limited.
But, within minutes of my camera being busted, I got an e-mail on my BlackBerry letting us know we were one of the 12 winners of the Valentine's weekend dream getaway packages being offered by the famed "Cafe des Artistes" restaurant and hotel group! We won dinner for 2 at the Cafe des Artistes del Mar in Punta de Mita, drinks at Mandala nightclub in PV, an ATV jungle tour, and movie tickets - not bad!
As I don't have a camera, I couldn't take decent photos when we went for our prize dinner on Saturday night, except for this one I snapped of dessert on my BBerry. But the whole experience was amazing, we were treated like royalty (our photo entry for the contest had been blown up and was on display in the restaurant, and the PR person took photos for their newsletter), and the meal and service were incomparable.
We are probably going to go on the ATV jungle tour in the next few days, and that should be a lot of fun. We've never done anything like that. I think the guiding outfit takes the photos (that you are expected to buy from them) so we'll rely on that for some visual souvenirs.
The ups and downs of our luck continues as, yesterday, our less-than-one-year old Toshiba laptop warned of a problem with the hard disk, and a computer crash seems imminent. At least we got everything backed up to an external hard drive, and have a 3 year full coverage warranty on that thing.
And I woke up at 4:00 a.m. with a persistant cough, so seem to have managed to pick up a bug of some sort. Hopefully it can be baked out of me at the beach.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Take our lovely day at the Puerto Vallarta Beach Club. We enjoyed a very luxurious and exclusive experience at the finest locale - everything was simply wonderful. Until I handed my camera to a stranger and asked him to please take a photo, and the next thing I knew he dropped it smack onto a tile floor. Turns out it's unrepairable, so I will be camera-challenged for the rest of this trip. I will have to rely on my BlackBerry camera, which is pretty limited.
But, within minutes of my camera being busted, I got an e-mail on my BlackBerry letting us know we were one of the 12 winners of the Valentine's weekend dream getaway packages being offered by the famed "Cafe des Artistes" restaurant and hotel group! We won dinner for 2 at the Cafe des Artistes del Mar in Punta de Mita, drinks at Mandala nightclub in PV, an ATV jungle tour, and movie tickets - not bad!
As I don't have a camera, I couldn't take decent photos when we went for our prize dinner on Saturday night, except for this one I snapped of dessert on my BBerry. But the whole experience was amazing, we were treated like royalty (our photo entry for the contest had been blown up and was on display in the restaurant, and the PR person took photos for their newsletter), and the meal and service were incomparable.
We are probably going to go on the ATV jungle tour in the next few days, and that should be a lot of fun. We've never done anything like that. I think the guiding outfit takes the photos (that you are expected to buy from them) so we'll rely on that for some visual souvenirs.
The ups and downs of our luck continues as, yesterday, our less-than-one-year old Toshiba laptop warned of a problem with the hard disk, and a computer crash seems imminent. At least we got everything backed up to an external hard drive, and have a 3 year full coverage warranty on that thing.
And I woke up at 4:00 a.m. with a persistant cough, so seem to have managed to pick up a bug of some sort. Hopefully it can be baked out of me at the beach.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Puerto Vallarta Beach Club Experience
I’m down here for the winter on the Mexican Riviera enjoying the good life but, sometimes you want to live an even better life! I always keep my eyes and ears open for new sights and experiences, and Puerto Vallarta never fails to deliver.
This past week, we got to experience the beauty, luxury and superlative service of the Puerto Vallarta Beach Club (PVBC). For full information and lots of visuals, check out their extensive website at www.puertovallartabeachclub.com.
I had read an article on the PVBC in the glossy “Vallarta Lifestyles” magazine – my go-to source for the best info on restaurants, hotels, shopping, cultural events and real estate. I noticed that PVBC day passes are occasionally available for folks like us, and I was able to make reservations to come to the property for a day.
The PVBC is deep in the charming heart of Old Vallarta, as the very south end of Los Muertos Beach – a quiet and secluded location on what is a very busy stretch of beach everywhere else. We arrived at the gated street entrance and were buzzed in and greeted by General Manager Eddie Figueroa.
He brought us in to discover the resort, which is a breathtakingly gorgeous architectural wonder nestled into the cliffs of a “beach front jungle.”
We toured some of the property before settling into the secluded sunbathing area to enjoy attentive but discreet service from the bar staff. The PVBC is the only property of its kind in Vallarta offering 6, free-standing, 3 bedroom villas with private pools. More on those in another post – today I am focusing on the exterior views, which are all amazing.
We settled ourselves into the cliff side sunbathing area, on loungers draped with thick beach towels, set on silky white sand, and gaped at the vista before us.
Time started to dissolve, especially with margaritas in hand (for John) and a chilled pinot noir for me. Wonderful music was piped in, from light jazz, to “chill” music, to the Gypsy Kings – all of which enhanced the mood and our enjoyment of the PVBC.
The beach club’s restaurant wasn’t open the day of our visit, so we went down the private stairs to Los Muertos beach for lunch, and enjoyed the view of the PVBC from below.
We had a lovely lunch at “Ritmo’s on the Beach”, but could hardly wait to get back to the exclusive lure of the PVBC. You set foot in the place and you don’t want to leave!
After lunch, we enjoyed an afternoon swim in one of the infinity pools. Drinks were served, a fresh stack of towels provided, as well as a cordless phone and the number to dial if we needed anything! They think of everything.
This place is a world apart from all the other hotels and resorts we’ve seen so far, from Mismaloya Beach in the south, to Punta de Mita and San Pancho in the northern part of the Riviera Nayarit. Yet the prices are in the same ballpark. The PVBC would be ideal for a destination wedding, family reunion or corporate event (if you wanted to rent the entire place), or for just a getaway for two in one of the villas.
Part 2 of our visit to the PVBC to come...
Todo bien. (It’s all good.)
This past week, we got to experience the beauty, luxury and superlative service of the Puerto Vallarta Beach Club (PVBC). For full information and lots of visuals, check out their extensive website at www.puertovallartabeachclub.com.
I had read an article on the PVBC in the glossy “Vallarta Lifestyles” magazine – my go-to source for the best info on restaurants, hotels, shopping, cultural events and real estate. I noticed that PVBC day passes are occasionally available for folks like us, and I was able to make reservations to come to the property for a day.
The PVBC is deep in the charming heart of Old Vallarta, as the very south end of Los Muertos Beach – a quiet and secluded location on what is a very busy stretch of beach everywhere else. We arrived at the gated street entrance and were buzzed in and greeted by General Manager Eddie Figueroa.
He brought us in to discover the resort, which is a breathtakingly gorgeous architectural wonder nestled into the cliffs of a “beach front jungle.”
We toured some of the property before settling into the secluded sunbathing area to enjoy attentive but discreet service from the bar staff. The PVBC is the only property of its kind in Vallarta offering 6, free-standing, 3 bedroom villas with private pools. More on those in another post – today I am focusing on the exterior views, which are all amazing.
We settled ourselves into the cliff side sunbathing area, on loungers draped with thick beach towels, set on silky white sand, and gaped at the vista before us.
Time started to dissolve, especially with margaritas in hand (for John) and a chilled pinot noir for me. Wonderful music was piped in, from light jazz, to “chill” music, to the Gypsy Kings – all of which enhanced the mood and our enjoyment of the PVBC.
The beach club’s restaurant wasn’t open the day of our visit, so we went down the private stairs to Los Muertos beach for lunch, and enjoyed the view of the PVBC from below.
We had a lovely lunch at “Ritmo’s on the Beach”, but could hardly wait to get back to the exclusive lure of the PVBC. You set foot in the place and you don’t want to leave!
After lunch, we enjoyed an afternoon swim in one of the infinity pools. Drinks were served, a fresh stack of towels provided, as well as a cordless phone and the number to dial if we needed anything! They think of everything.
This place is a world apart from all the other hotels and resorts we’ve seen so far, from Mismaloya Beach in the south, to Punta de Mita and San Pancho in the northern part of the Riviera Nayarit. Yet the prices are in the same ballpark. The PVBC would be ideal for a destination wedding, family reunion or corporate event (if you wanted to rent the entire place), or for just a getaway for two in one of the villas.
Part 2 of our visit to the PVBC to come...
Todo bien. (It’s all good.)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Road Trip (Part Dos)
Blogspot would not let me post all the photos I wanted to in one go, so here is part 2 (dos) of our road trip to the Cabo Corrientes region of the Costa Allegre.
After checking in to the Hotel Mayto, we headed off to the next town just 10 minutes away - Tehua. It has a lovely harbour with lots of fishing boats, and what we believe were oyster farms. There were four to five beachfront restaurants, all with the freshest seafood imaginable, so we are told. We stopped and had the best shrimp ceviche tostadas we've ever had the pleasure to taste, and it was dirt cheap. The crispy corn tostadas were HEAPED with nicely spiced giant shrimp ("prawns", in Canadian West Coast parlance).
Tehua is further blessed(?) with a statue of a large, fake Great White Shark - it was a gift from the city of Puerto Vallarta - goodness knows why. I took this photo because I thought it looked (somewhat) like it was strapped to the roof of our blue Jeep Liberty -the "catch of the day" so to speak!
And, finally, a shot of my black polished toenails from poolside at the Hotel Mayto - 3 weeks-post-pedicure...all is holding up well!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
After checking in to the Hotel Mayto, we headed off to the next town just 10 minutes away - Tehua. It has a lovely harbour with lots of fishing boats, and what we believe were oyster farms. There were four to five beachfront restaurants, all with the freshest seafood imaginable, so we are told. We stopped and had the best shrimp ceviche tostadas we've ever had the pleasure to taste, and it was dirt cheap. The crispy corn tostadas were HEAPED with nicely spiced giant shrimp ("prawns", in Canadian West Coast parlance).
Tehua is further blessed(?) with a statue of a large, fake Great White Shark - it was a gift from the city of Puerto Vallarta - goodness knows why. I took this photo because I thought it looked (somewhat) like it was strapped to the roof of our blue Jeep Liberty -the "catch of the day" so to speak!
And, finally, a shot of my black polished toenails from poolside at the Hotel Mayto - 3 weeks-post-pedicure...all is holding up well!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Road Trip!
Earlier this week we did an overnight road trip to the "Cabo Corrientes" region of the "Costa Allegre" south of Puerto Vallarta. We planned the trip to coincide with the "cheat day" allowed on our diet regime, so the day of departure started off with gorging on cinnamon buns from "Sweet Things" bakery in Bucerias!
Then it was into the Jeep for the drive through Puerto Vallarta, to Boca de Tomatlan, and inland to El Tuito. We finally came to the first of the three towns of Cabo Corrientes - Mayto. The entrance to the town has the most amazing fence adorned with steer skulls.
The roads are a mix of paved and rough, pot-holed, washboard dirt roads, but the driving wasn't too hair-raising. You are rewarded with this view of the Costa Allegre on your arrival at the coast - an absolutely enormous stretch of beach with nothing on it (yet - there are major development plans for the region).
We stayed at the beachfront Hotel Mayto and got a room on the top floor for 480 pesos per person.
Our room was spacious and comfortable with a great view of the pool.
They serve three meals a day at their beachfront restaurant which has unimpeded views of the beautiful and desolate beach.
After checking in, we went on to explore the other two nearby towns, Villa del Mar and Tehua. Villa del Mar had huge agave fields.
We enjoyed the sunset and dinner at the Hotel Mayto.
We walked the beach the next morning and discovered it is plagued with "no-see-ums"! We were swarmed and it made for a short and unpleasant, if scenic, walk.
In another blog I will include some other trip photos and commentary, but I seem to be limited in the amount per blog. Anyway, we completed our trip with a stop at "El Eden", a waterfall inland from Mismaloya Beach (famous for where the movie "Predator" was filmed.
It was a really fun junket, but we were glad to get back home to Bucerias.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Then it was into the Jeep for the drive through Puerto Vallarta, to Boca de Tomatlan, and inland to El Tuito. We finally came to the first of the three towns of Cabo Corrientes - Mayto. The entrance to the town has the most amazing fence adorned with steer skulls.
The roads are a mix of paved and rough, pot-holed, washboard dirt roads, but the driving wasn't too hair-raising. You are rewarded with this view of the Costa Allegre on your arrival at the coast - an absolutely enormous stretch of beach with nothing on it (yet - there are major development plans for the region).
We stayed at the beachfront Hotel Mayto and got a room on the top floor for 480 pesos per person.
Our room was spacious and comfortable with a great view of the pool.
They serve three meals a day at their beachfront restaurant which has unimpeded views of the beautiful and desolate beach.
After checking in, we went on to explore the other two nearby towns, Villa del Mar and Tehua. Villa del Mar had huge agave fields.
We enjoyed the sunset and dinner at the Hotel Mayto.
We walked the beach the next morning and discovered it is plagued with "no-see-ums"! We were swarmed and it made for a short and unpleasant, if scenic, walk.
In another blog I will include some other trip photos and commentary, but I seem to be limited in the amount per blog. Anyway, we completed our trip with a stop at "El Eden", a waterfall inland from Mismaloya Beach (famous for where the movie "Predator" was filmed.
It was a really fun junket, but we were glad to get back home to Bucerias.
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Forecast
It's been cloudy and a lot cooler the last couple of days here on the Riviera Nayarit (west coast of Mexico). We don't mind too much as we've had two straight months of sunny hot weather to this point.
I do feel sorry for the "fly-and-flop" folks who are only here vacationing for a week - this weather will be disappointing for them. It's great for local businesses though - when it's cloudy, all the tourists leave the beach and shop. There is literally a "silver" lining in the clouds, as a lot of Mexican silver jewelry gets bought when the weather is overcast!
We giggled yesterday morning when we saw the fellow, who checks us in at the gate of the country club, was wearing woolen gloves! Temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit are freezing to the locals.
Apart from the weather, not much else has changed. The driving is still beyond crazy (Mexican and gringos alike) every time we go out. The goal is not just to get to and from your destination - it is to get there in one piece!
The huge grocery store ("Mega") still doesn't have any coffee cream or lemons, and they don't carry any brand of chili powder, period. They have chili salt, and chili flavoured with artificial lime, but no plain old chili powder. Same with Walmart and CostCo - no chili powder. I will have to bring some down with me next winter. Of course, if I do, it will have since appeared on store shelves here.
We revisited a favourite restaurant from last year - Prime 159 - a steakhouse in Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta. It was as great as we remembered...until I realized, when synptoms later hit, that their food is totally laced with MSG. I learned I am MSG and glutamate-sensitive from Vibrant Nation blogger Debi Drecksler, who recognized and e-diagnosed my symptoms, as her husband has the same ailment. I've been much better able to manage my condition and completely avoid these painful attacks since Debi alerted me to the likely problem. Thanks Debi! And, adios to Prime 159 - sadly, we won't be going back to that restaurant.
We have a month left on this winter's sojourn, and plan to make the most of it. We'll be exploring the Costa Allegre area south of Puerto Vallarta, we'll head north to explore San Blas on another junket, we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day at a mucho exclusivo PV beach club (once featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" - remember that show?), we'll take in a polo match and have dinner at the La Patrona Polo Club in San Pancho, and, of course, we'll fit in a few more trips to our favourite restaurant, Mezzogiorno.
And the forecast says the sun will be back with us full time by Tuesday - vive el sol!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
I do feel sorry for the "fly-and-flop" folks who are only here vacationing for a week - this weather will be disappointing for them. It's great for local businesses though - when it's cloudy, all the tourists leave the beach and shop. There is literally a "silver" lining in the clouds, as a lot of Mexican silver jewelry gets bought when the weather is overcast!
We giggled yesterday morning when we saw the fellow, who checks us in at the gate of the country club, was wearing woolen gloves! Temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit are freezing to the locals.
Apart from the weather, not much else has changed. The driving is still beyond crazy (Mexican and gringos alike) every time we go out. The goal is not just to get to and from your destination - it is to get there in one piece!
The huge grocery store ("Mega") still doesn't have any coffee cream or lemons, and they don't carry any brand of chili powder, period. They have chili salt, and chili flavoured with artificial lime, but no plain old chili powder. Same with Walmart and CostCo - no chili powder. I will have to bring some down with me next winter. Of course, if I do, it will have since appeared on store shelves here.
We revisited a favourite restaurant from last year - Prime 159 - a steakhouse in Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta. It was as great as we remembered...until I realized, when synptoms later hit, that their food is totally laced with MSG. I learned I am MSG and glutamate-sensitive from Vibrant Nation blogger Debi Drecksler, who recognized and e-diagnosed my symptoms, as her husband has the same ailment. I've been much better able to manage my condition and completely avoid these painful attacks since Debi alerted me to the likely problem. Thanks Debi! And, adios to Prime 159 - sadly, we won't be going back to that restaurant.
We have a month left on this winter's sojourn, and plan to make the most of it. We'll be exploring the Costa Allegre area south of Puerto Vallarta, we'll head north to explore San Blas on another junket, we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day at a mucho exclusivo PV beach club (once featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" - remember that show?), we'll take in a polo match and have dinner at the La Patrona Polo Club in San Pancho, and, of course, we'll fit in a few more trips to our favourite restaurant, Mezzogiorno.
And the forecast says the sun will be back with us full time by Tuesday - vive el sol!
Todo bien. (It's all good.)
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