New photos and a Dying Camera

I walked around today to take photos. However, my camera's little screen was going from black to white to fuzzy, like bad reception on tv, and two photos I took didn't come out. I gave up. I suppose it's time for a new camera. I took a photo of the outside of my place as well as graffiti that says "Kill Canadiens." There are a lot of Canadians here in Puerto Vallarta, so I'm not sure if this relates to them or their sports team (hockey?). The other photos are here.

I live three blocks from the beach, but between my block and the next block is a huge hill. This is a photo from my street TWO blocks away from the beach but facing away from the ocean.


This is a view of the interior: courtyard and the building where I live.


Another view from inside the building.


Between two and one blocks from the beach from my street, facing the ocean.

So far

It has been nearly as easy to make friends here as it was in Guadalajara. My neighbor, Jacobo, works at one of the bars near here and has been invaluable with info on what to do at night, as well as getting me a discount at the gym and we've been going together this week. Even though I have my car, we take the bus, because it is easier, faster and probably cheaper. I have spent everyday at the beach for at least a little while, bringing a blanket and a book everyday this week except for today. I really love being able to walk everywhere. The only time I've driven so far is to have my car washed, since it is sitting outside of the apartment, where it is dusty and in direct sunlight all day. Since vegetables and fruit are cheap when compared to those in the U.S., I've been making a lot of egg/vegetable/sometimes bean/cheese burritos. I've eaten out only a few times, and even then, you can find really reasonable places to eat if you look.

I took Leo to the beach this evening for the first time, and he sniffed around as eagerly as he did the first time we walked in Guadalajara, except this time he was a little intimidated by the sound/sight of the waves coming in. He really seemed to enjoy it though. We went after sunset to avoid people out on the beach, and there were only a handful when we went.


My bedroom here in Puerto Vallarta.


My kitchen.


My front patio. My apartment is inside a courtyard so other than the sounds and voices of the others in the "complex," it is totally quiet and secure as well as cool - no need (yet) for A/C, which is good since I don't have it.

Vallarta

I love it here. I haven't driven since arriving. I have been cooking most of my meals and it has been cheap. Even eating out, since there are so many places, is cheap if you want it to be. The beach is great. I found a gym. The bars are fun. I may not leave. Pictures coming later.

Tequila Express

Yesterday Mom, Kristin and I took the Tequila Express to Amatitan to see the Herradura tequila distillery. We took a train there and back. I forgot my camera, but Kristin took a few photos. There was folk dancing, Mexican food, guided tours, and unlimited free alcohol on the train. Most everyone on the tour was Mexican and a great majority of them were drunk by the end of the trip. I went out last night which was a mistake, already being tired, and having to drive to Puerto Vallarta today. But I am here safe and sound and I already love it here. It is beautiful. The drive was too. Highway 15 from Guadalajara to the half way point between PV and GDL is amazing. The landscape is really beautiful. Mountains, cacti, lava, pine, palm and anything else you would think would be here (and maybe not). I really like this apartment. It is in a courtyard of a three story building on a pretty quiet street just blocks from the beach. I don't think I am going to the beach today but I plan to walk around in a while to get a feel for where I am. Plus, I have to find a phone charger and a leash for Leo as I left both in Guadalajara.

First Visit

Mom and Kristin came yesterday. It was a long but uneventful trip to Mexico for them, and all we did yesterday was have dinner. This morning was Calle Obregon, where Mexicans shop a flea-market-like atmosphere for knock offs and other highly (suspiciously, at times?) discounted merchandise. Then in the afternoon we went to Downtown Tlaquepaque, very pretty, upscale, designed for tourists with Celida and her friend Luz. It was a lot of driving, which is horrible here even for me, but mom seemed to be close to cardiac arrest. Tomorrow is Tequila Express, where we'll take a train to Tequila, Jalisco to see how tequila is made. It's an all day event.

Mom and Kristin at dinner the first night here.



A view of Calle Obregon.

Agua Azul

Today I went to Agua Azul, which is a park, but outside of the park is a tianguis, a Mexican flea market. This, by several people, is called a "cultural tianguis," I suppose because no one there is over 30 and, if you want, you can get tattooed and pierced as you browse used books. Today was also the first day I took public transportation, and the light train is very much like the Metrolink in St. Louis. The park has a bird house and a butterfly house as well as an anthropology museum. I took video; you can see the butterfly house.

I hate Mexican Drivers

I've never hated a group of people more than I hate Mexican drivers. No rules. No courtesy. It's annoying when it's good and terrifying when it's bad. I cannot wait to drive amongst normal road raging Americans again.

I took Leo to be bathed today; normally I do it but there's no tub here and it is less than 10 bucks, so why not? While he was being bathed I had my oil changed (no such luck with regards to THAT being cheaper here). The oil change place is in Plaza Del Sol, an outdoor "mall" (more like a marketplace). I've been grocery shopping here lately because I like it better. I took a few photos.

A fountain with some artwork in Plaza del Sol.


Soriana is kind of like Target. I grocery shop here.