Christmas Eve and Day in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – I don’t know what made me pick this theme – possibly since many of my friends are sharing this wonderful experience here in Mexico, while others are “enjoying” a chilly and or White Christmas in the northern climes (including California) and in faraway places such as the mountainous part of Sicily.

Dolores and I joined friends Xmas evening for a early dinner at a local “bistro” and enjoyed a wonderful repast. The dinner was located in an outside setting and the staff was efficient, the ambience perfect, the food outstanding and the camaraderie unparalleled . Since it was located a mere 3 ½ blocks away we actually walked thereby getting the benefit of aerobics exercise going and then coming home. Now I know the expended effort in a 3 ½ block walk is like a trip to the baño for many of you; however, after a full meal and drinks, the Olas Altas “hill” somehow reminds me of Mt. Rainier in my State of Washington. Anyway we got home safely around 10:00 PM, and redressed in our casuals, grabbed our books, mixed a refesca and retired to the veranda. Causally sipping my drink (pardon refresca) I noticed that many of the local children were gathering in the street, laughing, running, blowing party whistles, and exploding fireworks. As they continued to gather I remembered it was Piñata time.

Although the Piñata was originally from Italy, it has become a Mexican tradition for celebrations where there are children involved. The Piñata was made out of a clay pot and decorated with crepe paper in different colors. Today's piñatas are made out of cardboard and paper mache techniques and decorated with crepe paper. This change was made to prevent the children from cutting their hands when going for the fruit and candy when the Piñata was broken and the clay piece would become a hazard. They have all kinds of designs besides the traditional star. Of course, there are all types of chants the children will sing while the child in turn is trying to break the Piñata with a stick while he/she is blindfolded. This can and does continue for an hour +, depending on the number of children and the supply of Piñatas.

The presents are not received on Christmas, for Christmas is a celebration of Life of Our Savior. The children's celebration of receiving presents is not until January 6th, "el día de Reyes", the day of the Kings, or the Wise Men Day. It is the Magi who brought the presents to the Baby Jesus, thus, they bring the toys to the boys and girls who have been good.

Only us Americans pass ordinances to suppress party noise. To the Mexicans loud party noise’s are the norm – fireworks, music accompanied by singing? (becoming more garbled as the tequila level rises), children shouting with joy, playing their own games and enjoying the adults getting sillier as the evening turns into the early morning. This year was no different with the children playing till 1:30 AM, and the adults boom box finally being silenced at 5:15 AM, only to restart at 11:00 AM and is still going as I write this blog at 7:00 PM Christmas day. However, am I complaining? The answer is a loud NO! Dolores and I go-with-the-flow and enjoy every moment. After all it only happens once a year…and on other holidays…hmmm…I think there may be 20 plus in Mexico. Oh well my time comes at the next party we have.

Local guest enjoying party!

Messing Around and Other Fun Things…

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Essence of Cuisine… The cooking school has gotten off to a fine start for the 2008*2009 season. We’ve already had two classes in November, both private, with 13 and 8 attendees respectively. Both classes were held within 3 days of each other and featured Mexican and Asian themes. The next two classes – one scheduled on December 11 is full and the other on December 23 currently has 6 students against the minimum of 8. Then we are back to sold-out private classes in January and February - with plans for a couple additional open classes in those months. Coupled with trips to La Manzanila and Mexico City in the first two months of 2009 time gets filled up very quickly.

Shopping for these classes can be a varied and crazy experience. With SAMS/WalMart; Costco; Soriano’s (all three); and the last resort, Rizo’s, available we are normally able to find the ingredients for the classes; however, never all at one or two stores. It takes every store and what you find one day at a given store will never be available two days later. And Rizo’s is only the last resort as the result of their pricing. We leave at noon and get back around 5:00. Our 7 neighborhood Niño’s are always available to greet us and carry the bags up into the condo kitchen. Dolores goes ahead to open the condo and I dole out the bags and lock the car and bring up the last load – a bunch of bananas? In fact one Niño rushed down and took that away from me…lol. What I have to put up with! Group DVD movie tonight – Iron Man.

Club Bon Appétit… Toody and Paco Pilon’s wine tasting events have gotten off to a fast start. Normally held the first Monday of the month at “La Hacienda”, a restaurant with an open in-door courtyard, featuring a four course meal and Paco’s imported wines from Chile was filled with 60 – 70 patrons this November. We enjoy the socialization (old friends, acquaintances, and new contacts) and networking at the event and the purchase of wine for the cooking school. I left the two cases of wine that we purchased in the car overnight for the Niño’s to bring up! The December event was outstanding and featured the food of France.

Other…Many of our friends will be returning to Puerto Vallarta starting the first week of December. Some returned to the States for the Thanksgiving Holidays and others will be going up for the Christmas celebration. I celebrated Thanksgiving by watching the Seattle Seahawks get their “arse”s kicked by a mediocre Dallas team. With the Washington Huskies having a 0-11 season, the basketball team getting a poor start and even the 2-10 Washington State team winning the rotten apple cup in OT over the Huskies, soccer is looking better (even in Spanish).

The SPCA de PV's second annual "Evening Under the Stars" was held on Saturday evening, November 29th, in the "Puerta del Cielo," an addition to the hotel Hacienda San Angel. One hundred guests paid $1,000 pesos each for the pleasure of wonderful cocktails, cuisine, music and a breathtaking view of the crown of the Church of Guadalupe and the bay beyond. The event was generously underwritten by Janice Chatterton, owner of the Hacienda San Angel. I understand that the event raised approximately $200,000 pesos for the SPCA’s animal rescue program.

My really quite days are spent with Dolores on the veranda reading a good book, watching (nosily) all the goings and comings in our neighborhood and observing the construction of a new condo that is replacing ‘Juniors”, the notorious nightclub on the hillside just north of us. Originally Capricious (probably something else prior to that) a nice restaurant, then Juniors a table dance club it met its demise this summer. I’m amazed at the efficiency of the new construction. They use a Cement Pumper for all the pours and the workers are all in hard-hats, steel toe boots and safety vests. They’ve done more work in November than the new 5 story 6 condo unit on the corner of Olas Altas and Pilitas (one block away) which has been under construction since last year and which featured hand mixed cement, bucket and pulley moment of the cement to each level, shirtless, helmetless, and sandal footed workers who whistled aimlessly and sang ditties to entertain all of the neighbors – and checked out each senorita who passed by. Are times changing??

We went to a book signing by Author Bob Lamb held in the courtyard of the BarrioSUR Restaurant last Wednesday evening. This signing was for his recently released book titled “Lone Tree”, a series of vignettes of persons, place and time of growing up. Bob and I were born to the same era and the memories that his book evoked in me were startling. I can remember the same people in a town called Lake Spring, MO., that still thrives with a population of 57 persons. Even though I grew up in a distant city, most of my childhood summers were spent on a farm close to Lake Spring and many of my relatives are buried there. Thank you for such a wonderful book Bob! There was a large turnout of people and we meet two couples who had returned to PV that very day, were hungry, so we joined them for dinner and "Fostering."

The Pressures Off!

Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico - the Vallarta Yacht Club recently started a new Luncheon Seminar series on topics of interest to anyone living, traveling or boating in Mexico. As a “Subject Expert” member of the BoatMexico (http://www.boatmexico.com/) website, who are providing the first six speakers, Dolores had agreed to give a talk to members on “The Art of Entertaining Afloat.”

To provide you a little better focus on being a subject matter expert (SME), Dolores was contacted earlier this year by the “founder” and webmaster, Daniel Russell, off BoatMexico and was asked to be a SME and monthly contributor to the site on Cooking (Food), focusing on Mexican food and its background. They currently have 9 “experts” covering such diverse subjects as Cooking (Mexican), Diving, Ecology, Legal, Maintenance, Marine Biology, Medical, Safety, Weather, and Writers – the 10th expert is to be named soon. It’s an interesting and fast growing group. Don’t really understand how Cooking and Writing came to be included – my guess is to add some liveliness to the site.

Fortunately, we have friends in Seattle who own antique motor yachts and sailing vessels, and we’ve both fished on rather large seagoing boats, so we’re not totally unacquainted with what an equipped galley looks like and the kind of cooking and entertaining tools/surfaces that are available in the boating world. This coupled with her unique specialty of demonstrating and using shortcuts in cooking gourmet food as a background, with the ability to do research on the internet, Dolores has burst onto the boating scene without even a rowboat to captain. Contributing articles on Mexican food, both historical background and recipes, has been a fun experience - then the request, ““would you give a in person presentation to the members of the Vallarta Yacht Club on pre-bagged meals to serve on your boat, hints and tips for long distance cruising, how to entertain on board, Do’s and Don’ts for gallery cooking…and much more?
Answer Yes…and the pressures on!

Over the past two weeks Dolores has been developing, memorizing, and practicing her talk. I would be on my computer in the rear office and hear muffled sounds emulating from the guest baño. After, few times I finally realized that location had become the preferred “practice” place. Of course I had to make an inappropriate comment (I thought it was clever…) and was promptly put in my place. After a few days of the guest baño being off limits the day arrived to perform. We had discovered the Vallarta Yacht Club was not in Puerto Vallarta, not in Nuevo Vallarta, but, in, and next door to Paradise Village. Given explicit directions by Dan Russell of Boat Mexico, we made two wrongs turns, wandered about the countryside while maintaining our cool (lol) and final arrived exactly on time – we had allowed a 30 minute cushion. After “setting up” and meeting the principles a buffet luncheon was enjoyed and then time for Dolores talk. It couldn’t have gone better and two hours later we returned to PV, did grocery shopping and arrived home in the late afternoon for a well deserved nap (Dolores) and a cool cerveza (Roberto).

El pressure' s apagado!

Party of the Season

A Major Happening in Puerto Vallarta

The party of the season has just happened and the year has not begun..or maybe it’s the party of the year - period!. Phil Stewart the owner of Hacienda Palo Maria had included us on his invite list, along with approximately 175 others to enjoy “An Evening with Vikki Carr.” Let me set the scene. He had redesigned the entrance to his beautiful home so a valet service was setup. At the scene hired Policía Federal uniforms were all over the highway, stopping, directing traffic while the guest dismounted their automobiles and entered the Hacienda across the Palo Maria river. The pathway and bridge were lined by beautiful senoritas welcoming and assisting the guests. The river was full with water from the mountains, rushing to join the ocean 75 yards away. After signing in we stopped by the bar for a cocktail and then proceeded outside on the veranda and lower beach area, which had been decorated with the stage and dining area. The next hour was spent mixing with the other guests, greeting friends, saying hello to old acquaintances and making new acquaintances all the while enjoying many different hors d'oeuvres and cocktails offered by the tuxedoed-white gloved support staff that constantly circulated around and throughout the guests.

At the appropriate time we were seated at assigned tables and the dinner service began. Dolores quietly tipped our designated waiter (who instantly became a life-long friend), we introduced ourselves to our table partners and the evening began. To make your “mouth-water” the following briefly summarizes the five courses that we were served:

1. Chilled white Rose Potato Vichyssoise with Pomegranate Reduction and Chives
   
2. Baby Red and Green Leaf Salad with Court Bouillon Poached Pacific Prawns, Tropical Fruit and Guava/Cilantro Vinaigrette


3. Fennel Pollen Crusted Lions Paw Diver Scallop withShavedCucumber and Citrus Bennre Blanc
   
4. Adobe Rubbed Mesquite Grilled Petite Filet and Pacific Roasted Lobster Tail with Asparagus and Hollandaise Sauce
   
5. Intermezzo – Passion Fruit Sorbet


6. Manzano Banana and Coconut Capirotada with Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise, Cajeta Decelaya and Coconut Ice Cream
   
   Whee! Are you still hungry? All this, along with continuous wine and liquor service.
   
   Additionally, we were continuously entertained by local talents – a marvelous flutist/harpist, Puerto Vallarta’s best Mariachi Ensemble (12 talented musicians), a solo guitarist, a solo Harpists from Guadalajara, and a great Charro. Pictures had been taken of the guest at their table and these were presented as mementos in hand painted, numbered frames from local entrepreneur, Marisa Bridge, Bridgecolor.com. During a trip to the banjos, Dolores saw that Cuban cigars were being hand-rolled, and at the meal end they were circulated through-out the assembly to anyone who wanted to relax and digest with a smoke.

And then…

At approximately 10:00 PM, Vikki Carr (born as Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona in El Paso, Texas) appeared on the entrance steps just behind our table, sung her introduction piece and then proceeded to the stage while interacting with the guests. She then entertained us for the next hour with a cross section of music genres, i.e,; swing, blues, ballads, show-tunes, country music, etc. To jog your memory, some of the tunes she’s best known for are; “It Must Be Him”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “Tunesmith”, “There I Go”, “With Pen In Hand”, Until It’s Time For You To Go”, and “Make It Rain.” She was a major star throughout Latin America, Australia, and Europe. She originally recorded for Liberty Records and replaced Julie London as the company’s leading diva. She also was able sing for five U.S. presidents, as well as the Queen of England, and she became the first female performer to regularly sub for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, and she worked in the theater winning acclaim for several big time theatric performances.

Finishing off the evening Phil put on a grand fireworks display. As we left Hacienda Palo Maria, we were presented with a box set of her new release “The Ultimate Collection” consisting of three CD’s containing her best performances. As we gave the valet our car ticket (#002), we meet Phil’s parents and had a nice chat. Our car arrived; we were escorted across the highway, into our car and headed home happy, safe, and full of lifetime memories.

The Return

Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico -It happened. After three months in the PNW we made the transition back to our second home (or is it the first) in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Of course while we were gone the automobile gas prices, Mexico vs. USA (av.), have almost reached a par, $2.32 vs $2.30. Part of that is the stronger US dollar, which helps us a lot.

We are ecstatic to be back in Puerto Vallarta. The expats are beginning to show up. Everyday we see a new familiar face, temperatures are decreasing even though at lot of humidity still lingers, and party time is beginning to kick off. Dolores has two cooking school classes sold out for this month and we still haven’t put out any advertising. People are already jockeying for position in December, January, and February. The daily agenda has been varied, but active – arrival 11/1 (last Saturday), Sunday - shopping for staples; Monday – Helping a friend shop for new furniture, dinner with friends; Tuesday –open house at Chee Chee’s; Wednesday – first pre-preliminary-final meeting of our condo association; Thursday – dinner with more friends; Friday – BF Breakfast; Saturday – Vikki Carr private party (more later); Sunday – Bud Accord Memorial lunch, Baby shower for the next door neighbor; Monday – wine tasting dinner; Tuesday – Outback Annual anniversary; Wednesday – BECA networking breakfast; and on and on. And I use to think working was time consuming!

Dolores headed the packing effort to bring everything she (we) needed into the country. We had 7 pieces of check in luggage and 4 carry-on’s. The check in luggage consisted of 6-wheel soft duffel bemoths (48# each), and carry-on’s that approached 40 pounds each. Sling those on your shoulder and walk 300 yards to the baggage claim (you didn’t think the moving floor walks would be turned on did you). After getting everything downstairs from our Lynnwood home without awaking the neighborhood, we tempted the Airport Express driver with a nice tip to load everything into the van while remaining cheerful. Mission accomplished we picked up one more traveling pair with just 2 suitcases (can you imagine) and proceeded to the airport. Arriving we were unloaded and checked in by the curb service, paid a significant amount of excessive baggage fees and proceeded to security. Naturally we must have looked suspicious, so each of us had at least one carry on baggage disassembled piece-by-piece with all the pertinent questions – what is it, how do you use it, why is it necessary. Since everything was wrapped in bubble-paper I guess we were lucky they took our word – sec., that’s a computer external drive, that’s my medication, that’s a humming bird feeder,. that’s my toothbrush…

Arriving in Puerto Vallarta we hustled through deplaning and customs and proceeded to baggage claim (here’s the 300 yard part). Staggering into the baggage claim area barely alive, we waited for our bags to show. Now I’ve had a bag arrive immediately and had to wait tell the end for the final piece; however, I’ve never had to wait until the final pieces arrived before any of my luggage showed up, nothing, nothing, nothing, then bags 1, 2, 3, 4, someone else’s, space, bags 5 and 6. Even the Green/Red light person wanted to go and held the switch on green so we could hustle through. We had arrived in PV intact! Hiring a personal van (to much luggage to share), we turned into Calle Pilitas 1 ½ hours after touchdown and were greeted by our ninos. Within another half hour I was able to asked my neighbor Joe for the loan of several cervesa’s to relax and honor our arrival.

Crunch Time – 21 Days until the return to Puerto Vallarta

In the PNW, Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington, USA – the season has changed. The weather outside my cozy office environment is overcast, wet, and very cool (54 degrees). This is October in the great Pacific Northwest – warm one day, jacket and long pants the next day…or week. Our departure to Puerto Vallarta is in only 21 more days. It’s surprising how many more things there are to get accomplished in such a short time.

Presently Dolores is visiting her oldest daughter, Christine, in San Francisco. Chris has the lead performance with Teatro ZinZanni (Dinner Show) in both Seattle and currently in San Francisco. Set in a turn-of-the-century "spiegeltent," Teatro ZinZanni is a big night out unlike any other - a 3-hour whirlwind of cirque, comedy & cabaret all served up with a 5-course feast. Described as "the Kit Kat club on acid," and "the place where the Moulin Rouge meets Cirque du Soleil," Teatro ZinZanni is an unforgettable experience. We’ve seen the show many times in Seattle; however, this is the first time in San Francisco. She will return in the middle of the week – in the meantime I will be “Fostering” with several friends who have just returned to the local scene from their own late summer holidays.

The main laptop computer we use in Puerto Vallarta has slowed down considerably over the past 2 years, so I took this opportunity (the primary user’s absence) to take it in for a general “tune up” and cleaning – cleaning its internal works of the collection of PV dust. The ad in the local “Computer Source” magazine and newspaper advertised, “It’s like getting a New Computer For $50.” It went on to say “:Let trained technicians tune up your PC for just $49.” This same ad was prominently displayed in the store including the Technical Reception Desk. Can you guess where I’m heading? Happily receiving the Work Order receipt copy and leaving my computer with the store I cheerfully drove home (via several small intermittent stops) with a feeling of really getting something important accomplished. After I arrived home, I took out the W.O. to place next to my work area and just out of curiosity glanced at the contents and “viola”…price $50.00+tax. You think I was the first customer? Now I have to decide how to politely suggest the ad should have been worded so that at least the store staff could understand, or do you think this might already have happened before I return – politely.

Upon saying farewell to my friends at Ivars on Lake Union (U-District, Seattle) I encountered a local in a hurry for I know-not-where/what! He disputed my right-of-way at the first stop sign, stopped in front of me with a excited waving of his arms, and then wished me a “have a good evening, Pop’s.” You know how it is – on the drive home I thought of 50 marvelous responses I could have replied with, but did not. Guess the “Fostering” Gods were on duty watching out for my mouth! Oh well, now you know the rest of the story…lol.
Dolores returned mid-afternoon yesterday, our 31st wedding anniversary, from San Francisco. During my luncheon at Ivars our very close friend, Larry, who owns an antique motor yacht had suggested that we celebrate it with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres on the boat then move on to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Thus the evening was set and a wonderful time was had by all. For once the clouds had disappeared, the sun shone and the only moisture was from the lake. Dolores and I have been arguing about which anniversary year this is, my stated 31 years or her stated 32/33. Larry resolved this (temporarily?) by asserting he had met us the year he purchased the Beverage King a beer/wine/delicatessen that he owned for many years – and it was 1977 or 31 years. Now the search will intensify to relocate our marriage license and finalize this confusion. However, regardless of the specific time it’s been a most wonderful 30+ years!

Here's our host with Dolores and a shot of his beautiful boat.

"Fostering", and other things

Seattle/Bellevue/Renton Areas, Washington, USA - Dolores and I have been “Fostering” lately, together and independently. Yes, you read correctly, “Fostering.” If you asked, is that a pseudonym, a junkword, or a MUW? The answer in all cases is yes…let me explain. During my many years of working at and with the local “kite” factory (ok…Boeing) I spent many lunch hours at the Renton Foster Golf course clubhouse restaurant with business associates and acquaintances. This evolved into a natural free flowing format that developed many long term friendships. Even though I no longer work in that environment, I still like to maintain contact with those and other friends by meeting over lunch at various locations. To me these wonderful socializing moments are “Fostering.” To answer your next question, yes Dolores is familiar with Foster and joined me there for luncheon on special occasions, and I just recently met with a good friend at Fosters for lunch and reminiscing.

These are great times! Being retired has allowed us to reestablish contact with many long time friends, strengthen close relationships, and make new friends. Dolores and I have been invited to many wonderful dinners with old and new friends, by family, and have held our share of formal and informal dinners at our Lynnwood home. Of course at home Dolores does all the creative work and preparation plus directs my efforts; however, the resultant “Fostering” couldn’t be more wonderful. A couple of nights ago we attended a birthday party given for a friend that owns a cooking school in Edmonds. The hosts owns a few toys that are fun to touch and feel. Dolores and others got to tweak the throttle on the Harley a few times. Think she’s having fun?





Someone commented the other day, “I think the world just tilted on its axis…we’ve had a complete change of seasons overnight.” And its true - the outside temperatures are peaking in the low 60’s and nighttime is reaching into the high 40’s. It continues to be cloudy, grey and rainy with only occasional sun breaks – or that’s what it appears to this observer. Dolores sent me out to the Edmonds Museum Garden Market to purchase some squash blossoms for dinner the other evening. This is open from 9 A.M. – 2 P.M. every Saturday in July to early October and offers fresh produce, flowers, plants, processed foods, personally created crafts and original art. After breakfast, and without much thought, I grabbed a jacket and left on my errand. Now picture this in your mind – it’s overcast and raining. The temperature on the car temperature display says 55 degrees, and I adjust the heater and defroster setting to 73 (and I don’t mean Celsius). I arrived in Edmonds, parked, and embarked for the one vendor whom I know will have a supply of the blossoms - typically, this item sells out within the first hour after the market opens. I look about at the many people shopping – all dressed in slacks, winter jackets, boots, hats of every sort, and some with scarves and gloves, all bent over against the wet drizzle and breeze. Contrast this with a figure dressed in a t-shirt, shorts, sandals without socks, baseball cap (emblazoned with Pto. Vallarta) strolling along with a unzipped light jacket. You’ve got it - Roberto! I began to feel somewhat out of place until I saw another figure approaching me in a similar outfit with one exception. He had donned a fleece lined jacket and had on a hat with earmuffs. Knowing there was at least one more person distracting the quizzical onlookers immediately warmed me. I quickly made my purchase, went back to the car and headed home – mission successful!

Enjoying the Social Happenings

Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington, USA – A telephone conversation from a Puerto Vallarta friend also summering in Seattle started with “Would you like to come to our houseboat Tuesday night and watch the Duck (Dodge) Races? Duck Races?...I was quickly reminded that it was a gathering of local sailboat enthusiasts that hold informal races on Lake Union each Tuesday evening during the summer months prior to the more serious part of the fun – eating/drinking/bragging. Part sail and part party, it started more than three decades ago. The starting horn sounds at 7 p.m. for the fast boats and five minutes later for remainder boats. Two hours later, all of the boats raft up in the middle of the lake for socializing. Duck Dodge on Lake Union is one of the premier "beer can" regattas in the world and attracts a full spectrum of new and old sailors. We had been asked before; however, for one reason or the other had not attended. Our host said there would be several other attendees (most whom we knew from Puerto Vallarta) and all that was required was to bring whatever refreshments we desired and be there. We had already made plans to meet over a crab dinner at one of our good friends, but on receiving the OK to bring her with us, coupled with her immediate and enthusiastic response, we gathered up some salads, bottles of refreshment and headed for Lake Union and the “Ducks”. It was a great time visiting with friends and consuming good food, beer, and wine.

Along the same vein, Dolores and the “kids” invited this ‘ol guy to celebrate his birthday at Volterra in Ballard. This is one of my favorite dining places in all the known universe. The menu centers on traditional Tuscan dishes - the house, and mine, specialty is wild boar tenderloin with gorgonzola sauce that is wonderfully tender and accompanied by fingerlings. It was an outstanding highlight to the birthday event.

Even though summer is not officially over until the 21st of this month, the coolness during the day and evenings already feels like the onslaught of fall/winter. Today the sun is out, there is a condo sponsored “Cheeseburger” happening around the pool in a couple hours; however, I was just startled by a loud scream from a local who just jumped into the swimming pool. I think she’s practicing the art of “walking on water.” Must be my signal to get ready for more social happenings!

Time in Seattle - Seafair, The Seattle Gift Show, and Computer Tribulations

Seattle, King County, WA. USA – Seafair, it’s Seattle’s traditional summer festival. A month-long, region-wide barbecue, that brings an entire community together in celebration. For 58 years Seafair has been about community events, parades, Miss Seafair, the Navy and Coast Guard, amateur athletics, airplanes and of course, boat racing. It’s watching the parade as beautiful floats glide down Fourth Avenue, staring skyward as the Blue Angels suddenly appear and disappear from view, being thrilled at Lake Washington as a hydroplane comes out of the north turn bouncing from sponson to sponson. These are just a few of the exhilarating moments you can experience in person at Seattle’s Seafair festival – or view in HDTV from the comfort of your living room easy chair. This year was somewhat overcast so the Blue Angels had to do there low ceiling show; however, it still was a great time for all – particularly on the HDTV – nearby the refrigerator filled with beer and ice for celebration with martini’s and all without traffic!

Another fun event for Dolores and myself (and staff) is the summer session of the Seattle Gift Show (SGS), held downtown at the Washington State Convention Center and other permanent downtown trade centers. It's the largest market in the Pacific Northwest drawing independent/specialty retailers, national chain stores and corporate buyers from Canada and Alaska as well as surrounding Western states. It’s seven fun days of buying opportunities featuring the freshest gift, home and lifestyle products. Its an opportunity to explore over 10,000 national and innovative lines of new product, exciting new vendors and an industry-recognized educational forum. Our buying “store” is called the Want Not Shop. The picture shows our happy staff hard at work.

There always comes a time with computers when “gremlins” come on the scene. Suddenly our home office wireless network stopped functioning. We could connect to the network; however, nothing else worked – no email, no internet. After alerting our local “experts” and much gnashing of the teeth and depletion of the on board cervesa/refresca supply I made the decision to purchase a new wireless router. Since we have lost our land-line telephone number the past three years due to our extended stay in Mexico I decided to keep our cellular base (minus all the frills) and purchase T-Mobile’s new Mobile HotSpot @ Home. This has to tie directly into the cable modem, so I set about removing the old wireless from the network and hooking up directly to the cable modem – and the confusion began. I couldn’t get reception to the internet. After a couple hours I called the Comcast modem techs who carefully educated me on many things I didn’t want to know. We finally discovered that the computer “gremlins” had, on there own, re-set my internet properties. With this corrected I was able to get to our email and the net. Next (the following day when Dolores went shopping) I got out the T-Mobile phone/wireless router and began the installation into the system. With ‘it’s a snap” assurances from the T-Mobile store techs, good directions on a CD and clearly printed directions with graphics I anticipated no problems. The hardware installation went quickly, all the lights were flashing (except the tele) – guess what - I couldn’t get reception to the internet. After going through everything the modem tech taught me I was still without service. So –a call to the ”router tech”, a two hour hold, during which I vacuumed the house, emptied garbage, straightened up the office, bedroom and kitchen, all this with the cell phone glued on my shoulder, the connection with the tech was finally made while I was completing preparations to going out to dinner with friends. Looking quite “strange” when Dolores came in (under shorts, new blow-dry hairstyle, no shoes, etc) the new tech led me through another 15 minutes of education and, voila, everything came on line. It’s a great system, but I think the router installation tech’s have a guaranteed full time job for many months.

Now, Dolores can work in the home office with a cable connection and I can roam the rest of the house with a wireless connection – the best of all worlds. BTW – the new land line number (sent out by separate email) will remain with us for the long term and I can take it to PV this fall – much like Vonage.

Back in the PNW

In the Pacific Northwest
Lynnwood, Snohomish County, WA. USA – We returned to the great PNW, Thursday, July 31 at 8:00 PM on Alaska Airlines to meet old friends - rain (showers), clouds, and a temperature in the low 60’s. So what’s new and exciting? Well, no mosquito’s; three consecutive days of rain/overcast, then sunshine and mid-80’s; no sweating - sleeping under two blankets but still waking up in the middle of the night to get a tee-shirt; no bugs of any kind; and jumping into the heated swimming pool to find a refreshing 75 degrees. It’s a significant environmental transition from Puerto Vallarta; however, the difference makes coming back a fun and exciting time.
A parting “gift” from PV happened the day before we left. Our car had a slow air leak in the rear passenger side tire. We drove to the local llama bodega and in doing so I made a left turn across double lines into the repair shop. I did hear a distinctive horn behind me while I was making the left turn; however I continued and negotiated a tire repair with the mechanic – two small nails in the tire. As we left the shop a police pickup was behind me with blinking lights. Turning the corner to let him go by didn’t help so I immediately pulled over and did a quick refresher on my negotiation skills. He had obviously waited until the tire was repaired (or had a quite rest in the shade while the tire was being fixed) then presented himself as we drove off. After politely explaining my infraction including describing how far away the court was and speculating that the cost could approach $800 pesos ($80 USD), I asked if we could avoid the trip and pay on the spot. I knew we were winners when he responded that he couldn’t give me a receipt; however, if that was OK with me we could deal. My next question about how much, his response was please make an offer - $200 pesos later we were on our way. There’s something about this that I didn’t mind… much different from the states and probably a $100 USD fine and a $1000 insurance reaction – definition of the aforementioned “gift.”
Currently we are taking the time to get settled into our new routine – giving the condo its Dolores sprucing, buying groceries, fixing the computer wireless network which “died” the third day (the excuse for this blog being late) and adding a new laptop and other accessories to our system and the many small things needed to begin our three month stay.
We very much miss PV; however, we did need the time for skin repair (no mosquito’s and over exposure to the hot sun). It’s great watching the summer Olympics in China on our flat screen TV’s and reestablishing contacting friends that we haven’t seen for the past nine months.

Lazy Days

The Lazy Days…

Lazing on the veranda in the shade, the overhead fan is on high and the upright fan is moving cool air currents across Dolores and I. Our adopted Mexican dog, Whagechol (Brownie for short) is stretched out full length against the cool tiles with his ears twitching in rhythm to the sound of our local guests frolicking in the swimming pool just below us. The sun is brilliant in the blue sky, the temperature is hovering at 82 degrees, and as it rises later this afternoon we are taking our guests (niños) to our other favorite way to cool down, the Cine Versalles, to see a sure to be classic movie, Wall • E (or Waste Allocation Load Lifter- Earth-Class). This is summertime in July in Puerto Vallarta.

Even though the majority of the ownership of theaters in PV often show new offerings in Spanish only (while the audiences are approximately 50 /50 Spanish/English speaking) I understand the first half of Wall • E has no dialogue. That should keep me awake with the help of Dolores elbow.

Later – this is one of the most fun and also the boldest of Pixar’s computer animations to date. “It’s essentially a silent film in which the two main characters are a mismatched pair of robots who communicate through sound bleeps and blips – amusingly and with precision. The characters are fascinating and believable to adults and children alike”. Half way through the picture Dolores and I became aware that one of the other theaters sound track could be heard, crashes of noise and deep rumblings, obviously a war or shoot-em-up movie. It wasn’t particularly bothersome other than it somehow reminded us of a thunderstorm! However, we didn’t entertain that line of thought since, the day was blue skies and sunshine – plus our umbrellas were in the car, a block away…

The movie ended and everyone was thrilled. The niños who had wanted to see Hancock with Will Smith voted 5-1 that they really liked Wall • E (the one dissenting vote almost got trounced by the others), exited the lobby laughing and stopped short. Remember the sound track that sounded like a thunderstorm…it had been “big-time real.” The streets were running curb deep with water, people were coming into the theater carrying shoes in there hands, and guess what?…Robert could you go get the car and bring it close to the theater…we don’t want the kids to get wet feet then track it into the car. Also, remember where I said the umbrellas were… Oh well, we all arrived back home with more stories to tell!

So much for the “movie review. Today (next morning) started out beautiful after a cool night. We are having the kitchen cabinets refinished and the hand sanding began today. The refinisher and his son were scheduled to begin sanding somewhere about 10 AM, so we rescheduled the maid’s arrival to 2 PM, and made plans to have a late breakfast or lunch downtown after Dolores finished with her dental session also scheduled at 10 AM. True to form, the refinisher and son arrived at 12:45 PM and we where off. On returning at 4 PM the sanding had just been completed, the maid had just arrived to begin cleaning, 6 of our local swimming guests (niños) were waiting to go swimming…and the rain started! We swam in the light rains with the youngsters, the skies cleared and the sunset was spectacular! Oh, Mexico in the summertime.

Vacation to the Pacific Northwest

Vacation to the Pacific Northwest

Its official, we leave PuertoVallarta the end of the month for our annual jaunt to the PNW. Instead of “returning home” we now think of it as our vacation. Seems like the weather is finally beckoning us with mid 80 degree days and high 50’s in the evenings. Normally the local north westerners would be complaining constantly about the heat; however, after many months of cold and cool weather the tone of their correspondences seems very mellow and perhaps even happy with the weather gods..

With the dates set now all the planning for the temporary transition begins. All home/condo owners are familiar with making certain the local financials are set, maid instructions and schedule is revised, TV cable/telephone/internet services are defined to the providers, etc. and the furniture is brought in from out of doors, and all clothing and indoor furniture is properly secured and protected from the environment. So lets move on to the really important things – from our perspective.

Everyone has their “bucket list” (we haven’t seen the movie), that’s special to them. In our case they are mutually integrated in most things with individual needs added separately.
With three weeks to go, what local restaurants need to be visited. Obviously, the list needs major attention since there are not enough days, $$, to do the minimum count.
Make appointments with necessary local health providers to take care of minor items that have been procrastinated the past 9 months.
Take inventory of items needed from the States in support of the cooking school (another set of dishes…).
Schedule the local niños pool times, etc.
Visit the local cinema houses to catch up on the new movies - $30 pesos vs. $9.00 USD state side…lol.

And many more.

It feels strange to feel let down when planning a vacation from paraiso to paradise, but it is a relief to finally decide on the timing and to buy the airline tickets.

For those of you who are here and get the Tribune what did you think of the 20 “PV Driving Tips’ according to Harvey? My favorite two are: “The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit” and “Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake petal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it’s a chance to stretch your legs.”

Whiling Away the Time in the Slow Season

The rains are here! It now seems to happen every day – somewhat like Seattle during its 8 months of grayness and drizzle. However, the difference here is that we have lots of sunshine, daily, it’s warm, and…what’s a “drizzle”? The small riverbed that has always been dry to my experience is now rushing with water. At night the murmuring sound softens other night noises and coupled with the coolness in the air allows deep and peaceful rest.

This is the time when you find constructive things to occupy your time. Dolores went to a cooking class yesterday at El Arreyan and spent 6 hours honing her skills in the company of other classmates. So what did Robert do?

We’ve been sharing one computer desk located in the corner of the master bedroom. It was getting to the point that it was an argument who had the most pressing need. I don’t know if that was ever decided; however, I had taken to using the older laptop out in the living room, dining room, front and back verandas (with a box serving as a glare shield) and in the guest bedroom. I had become a master of contortion, finding every conceivable position for computing, including several freelance inventions of my own. Taking pity on me, Dolores suggested I purchase a computer table of my very own. I did my research based on three criteria, 1) It fit the space available, 2) it looked like it could be assembled in at least half a day by a college graduate, and, 3) it could be carried in its box by two teenagers (local niños) to the elevator and into the condo with me acting as the guide.

Visiting several stores I found what I needed at Office Depot. It was on display, meaning assembled, and appeared to fit all criteria plus it was reasonably attractive (meaning Dolores might allow it in the house) as such things go. After studying it’s assembly carefully and committing it to memory, I felt it was worth Dolores inspection. The next day, while shopping, we stopped by the store. It received the “purchase blessing” and the store clerks were authorized to start the inventory search. Another customer had requested a similar desk, so while we waited, Dolores was able to purchase and place in the car several additional articles, go over to Burger King and order food, while the other customer was able to re-acquaint himself with the store and also make additional purchases. Now I understand…

Returning to the original question, “So what did Robert do?” Now you know. Using the graphic instructions with the aid of a magnifying glass and memory (?) I was up and running before Dolores returned from the school. And it only took 2 ½ hours…basically.