This is a public confession, a public admission of guilt: I had never taken a regular city bus in this town. Although I had often intended to do so, just to “live the experience” of the wild rides, the musicians that come on board to entertain the passengers for a few pesitos, for one reason or another, I either got a lift, took my car, or walked to wherever I was going.
So last Saturday was a first for me. I had called Bob at the Botanical Gardens to find out if I could bring my friend Arden along, because a) he wanted to write about the big event (La Noche de las Luminarias), and b) because I really didn’t relish the thought of driving back all the way from there alone, at night. In his usual friendly manner, Bob pointed out that yes, Arden was welcome to attend (see separate article), but I didn’t have to drive anyway. I could take the El Tuito bus that stops just a couple of blocks from where I live. What a great idea, I thought. It turned out to be a half-hour of non-stop entertainment.
We met at the bus stop, the bus was there already - and it was full. We climbed aboard, Arden went to the back, and a little girl got up -on her mom’s suggestion- to give me her seat, the single one in the front, to the right of the driver. In the pit by the front door, directly in front of me, was a Mexican gentleman, standing, who had obviously had one too many. From the moment we departed to the time we reached the entrance to the Botanical Gardens, the back and forth banter between him and the driver did not stop, the latter jokingly taunting the former, while the former valiantly tried to reply despite the fact that his speech was obviously slurred beyond comprehension. They discussed life, marriage, politics, you name it. All of us within earshot who understood Spanish (i.e.: everyone other than the little girl’s mom who was obviously of Nordic origin) could not contain our laughter. It was a half-hour comedy! Halfway through the journey, two good looking young señoritas boarded the bus at Mismaloya. The driver suggested they sit on the ledge in front of his windshield, on the other side of the door pit, facing me and the rest of the bus. While they were making themselves comfortable, the “gentleman” ran out, got himself another beer somewhere, and returned to his standing room spot in the pit. The señoritas then got to be entertained too as we continued our journey to the Gardens.
I’m so glad we took Bob’s advice. What a great experience it turned out to be! And that was just the beginning of what turned out to be the most fabulous event I have ever attended in or around Puerto Vallarta.
I guess it was the combination of elements. From the entrance to the Gardens by the roadside, one is struck by the sheer size of the place. Then, as you make your way down the path to the “Plantation House” (which still looks more Chinese to me than “Florida Plantation”), you are exposed to an ever-expanding, mind-boggling variety of flora …and colors! Especially in that strange light of dusk, some of the flowers seem to have “a light of their own”, to quote Arden. He’s right. Colors that the best of artists could never duplicate.
I’m not sure which adjective would be most appropriate to describe the atmosphere in the House… electric, joyful, exciting, animated… Folks ordered their drinks, had some of the delicious snacks laid out on the buffet tables, then adjourned to the lower level where they sat to enjoy the excellent, professional concert by the PV Chamber Orchestra, followed by the fabulous QuesaDivas. I just kept on yelling “Encore! Encore!”
Then Pepe, the DJ, started playing his selections, people started dancing and that feeling of FUN in the air just became stronger. It was contagious. Folks who hadn’t danced in ages got up to do so. Even canes were put aside… I understand that there were over 150 people in attendance. Congratulations to you all at the Botanical Gardens! As our friend T. J. pointed out so accurately during the evening, “It’s one thing to have a vision. It’s another to turn it into reality.”
We missed the lunar eclipse because there was a slight haze along the mountain tops that surround the gardens when the moon rose, but then it appeared, in all its fullness and glory. As the sky darkened, we realized that the whole place was surrounded with candles. What a sight to behold! What a night it was! Unforgettable? Definitely.
The days that followed continued to be wonderful for me. Friends and relatives came down from the Great White North to warm their bones. One of them called me as they were settling in at their hotel. Instead of saying hello, he just said, “We want to go to Joe Jack’s for dinner tonight. OK?” Oh, yes, definitely. That great meal was followed by another, at Daiquiri Dick’s, then another at ViteA. So many succulent dinners! And we’re not finished… While we were at ViteA, I noticed a little girl playing with her “doll” on the Malecon. I took her picture. Notice her “doll”? It’s a calavera, a skeleton. This is a common sight here, part of the culture relating to the Day of the Dead, but can you imagine this up north? Her parents would probably be reported to some agency or other for having purchased such a “toy”…
Getting back to the topic of good food (one of my favorites), we got a notice at the Tribune that that yummy little Gato Gordo Deli inside of Plaza Romy had closed, the one that offered those authentic French crêpes among other delicious dishes. Why? Well, that’s an old story here in Vallarta. The reason is the same as that which caused so many other good eating establishments to close: the landlord notices the restaurant-tenant’s success and decides to double or triple the rent. The owner of the restaurant can’t afford such an increase, so he or she closes it and the landlord ends up with nothing. Same thing happened with Rosie on three occasions, with Brenda Martin and her “Rendez-Vous”, and a number of others that I know of first hand. How sad!
Now onto more serious matters: I hope that none of you got into trouble due to the fact that the U.S. and Canada decided to set their clocks forward one hour last weekend, while Mexico did not. I can only imagine the problems this move is and will be causing until we catch up… Sunday, March 11th was when daylight saving time started in most of Mexico’s two NAFTA partner countries - three weeks earlier than usual. In the European Union, Summer Time begins the last Sunday in March (i.e. the 25th) and ends the last Sunday in October. In Mexico (except Sonora), it is set to start on the first Sunday in April (the 1st - April Fool’s Day?) and end on the last Sunday in October. I couldn’t tell you why Mexico didn’t go along with the rest of this continent… This has the makings of a potentially big mess, especially with the travel agents and the airlines if you ask me.
Before I forget, dear reader, I suggest you read the warning regarding ATMs here in Vallarta. Fake devices have appeared on the doors to some of them. Thinking that you need to slide your card through in order to get in to the ATM cubicle, you risk losing your card altogether, or having all the information it carries in its magnetic strip stolen. Beware!I think I’ve run out of space so I’ll just wish you a most sunny, wonderful and warm week in our town, ending with a super Happy St-Patrick’s Day wherever you are! Take care of each other and share your good fortune with the less fortunate ones. Hasta luego. pvmom04@yahoo.com
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