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.