CHANGING SEASONS…CHANGING TIMES

Sunny days…beach time..November 13, 2020

Fall is here…high season is arriving. The breezes have shifted from off the mountains to off the ocean. Signaling the end of rain and humidity. I welcome this change while knowing I will miss the storms and hope that we will still see a little rain to clean the air and wash us off in the next few months.

Glass art from the Chihuly gardens in Seattle

Puerto Vallarta is quiet for this time of year. Mostly due to COVID restrictions meant to discourage tourists, with the intent to keep us healthy. Restrictions that seem to change weekly. Most visitors these days, are nationals. A few stragglers from the southern US states represent most visitors from out of country. This is the time when snowbirds from Canada start to return. It is to soon to know how many are coming back. Since Canada, Europe and some US states are discouraging or limiting travel.

The picturesque town of Mascota on the road to Guadalajara

Worrisome to the local businesses who rely of tourism. Many of which have not recovered from the closedown this spring. Or fear having to close for good!

Cathedral in Tequila Town. Beautiful small town know for manufacturing tequila. I call it a “tourist trap”. ..Road trip to Guadalajara.

My cat, Jeny, and I are doing fine. We are bonding. She is growing into an adult. She enjoys geckos, baby iguanas, cockroaches, flies and all other living creatures enticing her hunting instincts. I am teaching her to play fetch with her ball.

Jeny waiting for a belly rub

I have ventured out a bit in the last few months with my friend Omar. A road trip to Guadalajara. A quick visit to Seattle. Highlighted by a fall road trip thru the Cascade mountains. It’s a good time to travel if you are willing to follow the restrictions and don’t expect anything to be “normal.” Hotels are cheap. The crowds are small. There are no lines. The airplanes seem cleaner and more comfortable. The air is supposed to be filtered every few minutes. They are not jammed to capacity. Like pre-COVID.

Colorful..Leavenworth, WA

For clarity…I am referring to my experience with Alaska airlines. Can’t speak for the others.

Time for reflection in PV. Looking East from the Bay.

Climate: Sunny and warm. Highs mid 80’s. Low 70’s at night.

31 AUGUST 2020|MONDAY

SUMMER TIME IN PV

It is the middle of August, the middle of summer. It rains most everyday. It is hot and humid. Not everyday. We do get a reprieve from the humidity once in a while. I have learned the humidity during the day means rain in the evening. Nature’s air conditioning. Or when there is a hurricane passing by, off the coast.

Rainbow over PV. A few days ago. (not my photo)

This is the first summer since moving here that I will not get a travel break from the heat . I am not yet ready to get on an airplane to go anywhere. My air conditioned house is comfortable enough. If I limit my time outdoors, I am fine. Staying home is my number one defense against the virus.

My well protected Uber driver

Don’t get me wrong. I have not turned into a hermit. I do go out. But this summer, it is easier to justify being a “home body.”

The city is opening up again..but it is not normal. There are still many safety measures in place. Masks are still required to enter most places. The irony is that once inside, it’s ok to remove them in restaurants and bars. The workers do wear the masks and do a lot of sanitizing. Which makes me happy. A place can never be to clean!

PV, Colony Amapas

I do know a couple of people that have been sick and had to quarantine. Not sick enough to need hospitalization. But, full recovery is taking weeks and is life changing. It is very difficult to judge how ferocious the virus really is. It takes stamina not live in fear of becoming the next Covid-19 victim!

My passive gato, Jeny

Since I am home more, I decided it was a good time to get a pet. She came via a rescue group, PAWS.

Climate: Hot, humid with evening rain. Low 90’s.

23 JULY 2020|THURSDAY

JULY IN PV

Sunday at the public beach with social distancing

It is quietly unusual in PV this summer. Normally, low season. With COVID restrictions in place almost everywhere. It is like nothing I have ever experienced.

Having said that, I can not think of many places I would rather be. Although I greatly miss not being able to safely travel.

Bored kids playing. Glad that’s not my Jeep!

We have health/safety restrictions like most places. But I think the protocols here are far stricter. Particularly in the tourist areas. Every business requires masks to enter. You walk onto floormats intended to disinfect your feet. There are occupancy restrictions and social distancing requirements. You are offered hand sanitizer and your temperature is taken.

City of PV tries to keep the streets clean with this fleet.

Everything is cleaned and sanitized over and over again. Tables, chairs, rails, everywhere in proximity of touch.

Since this is the season of rain, we get a thorough rinsing almost daily. On top of that, there is usually an amazing and entertaining lightning show.

Beach looking north. I live just beyond the parachute in the distance.

The extra cleaning always makes me happy. COVID or no COVID.

There are not many tourists in town. Mostly nationals. And a few visitor from the US. Trying to escape the craziness happening there. The idea that business as usual might not return until 2021, if ever, is slowly sinking in. Forcing “creative thinking” in an effort to survive.

Many Nationals living and working outside the tourist areas have a different take on the COVID situation. There attention to safety protocols is limited at best. Making a living is a higher priority. Many think masks and other safety protocols are not for them. I often wonder if the mandated safety precautions are indented to keep the tourist coming back. Not so much in keeping the locals safe.

Todays view of my favorite tree after a month of rain

The strangest adjustment for me is mask wearing. It is difficult to smile and “read” people behind a mask. Not to mention knowing the good guys from the bad!! The heat and humidity make breathing difficult.

Climate: Mostly cloudy with evening showers. Hot and humid. Highs in the upper 80’s.

4 JUNE 2020|THURSDAY

ONE MORE MONTH

From my kitchen window…

Mexican Walnut or EarPod Tree sporting its new cloak of leaves.

Since I am now spending the majority of my time at home, my view point of what’s happening around me is somewhat limited to what I see through the window.

None the less..it has not been boring.

Crazy driver lost control of his go cart. Landed on the fence across the street.

Last night we got our first rain since January. Suggesting the rainy season is upon us. Not a lot. Just enough to wash everything off. Yay!

My street is a busy pedestrian street. Many dog walkers and evening strollers. I suspect some are in route to the food carts and markets a few blocks away. There is also car, bicycle and delivery truck traffic. But as each day of this pandemic moves on, the street becomes quieter and quieter. Interesting to note there were no houses on this street a couple of years ago.

Show of force…outside my window. (Nothing to do with me). They usually patrol in caravans of Marines, city, state and local police.

Puerto Vallarta is slowly starting to open up again. Busy tourist areas like the beaches remain closed. PV has not been hit hard by the virus. But there is an unfolding fear that once the tourist gates are opened that all will change. June 15 is the proposed date for further reopening. The hard realty is the 2020 tourist season has gone south. Anything near normal is months away.

Pink Trumpet Trees all around me in full spring bloom

A constant struggle exists. Not knowing which is doing more harm the threat of illness or starvation.

Money is running out. Donations are slowing. Please help, if you can.

Even the pets are hungry

https://www.gofundme.com/f/1uisqlqnio?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Gracias!

Climate: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. Mid 80’s

27 APRIL 2020|MONDAY

HELP NEEDED

The Pantries

Like most everywhere…Puerto Vallarta is mostly closed for business. Since the major source of employment is tourism and related industries, PV workers have been hit really hard.

No one knows when PV will return to normal, if ever. Even if tourist related business are allowed to open in May, there are not likely to be many customers. It will likely be even longer for people to feel comfortable traveling. Since the world economy has tanked, it’s questionable whether people will even have money to travel.

Dan

Summer is just around the corner, which is the slow season. Tourism slows and the snow birds will not be returning anytime soon.

The line

The Mexican government is not providing much assistance to the many unemployed. MX citizens and a few expats do have access to paid health care. There are no unemployed insurance checks or stimulus checks in the mail.

Helping

So..the locals are left to help each other. There are a few groups working to gather and distribute free pantry’s to those in need. They rely mostly on donations to make this work. Some donations come from government support. Most are private donations.

We have only been in this situation for a few months. It will be a long time before people start earning money once again. Probably many more months. So it is probably going to get much worse.

Transporting

If the people in need are to survive, much more help will be needed.

There is a way for you to help. My friend Dan and his group go out every day to distribute these food packages. They go to the many small communities in and around PV. They work hard to source the pantry items and to located the people most in need. They rely solely on donations. There is no end in sight.

Helping people

If you or someone you know would like to help, please go to this “go fund me” link and donate.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/1uisqlqnio?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Your donation will be put to good use. Mucho Gracias!

Climate: Sunny and warm. Highs mid 80’s

17 APRIL 2020|Friday

PUERTO VALLARTA…One month later

This evening view of the beautiful tree occupying the pasture across the street from my house gives me peace.

We are at the one month mark. On March 18, 2020, the city began to close down. Closing all entertainment venues. Today, pretty much all retail and restaurants are closed. The beaches and public spaces remain closed. PV has a ghostly feeling about it.

Boardwalk on the south beach

Easter passed with little noticeable fan fare. With the exception of a serenade of church bells at noon on Easter Day. I did notice the church was open to worshipers but no services were presented.

I have never before seen this desolate view of the Los Muertos pier.

Essential services like grocery and drug stores are open. Walmart has installed plastic shields to protect the cashiers. There are no self-checkout options, here. I observe empty shelves mostly rice, beans and other inexpensive Mexican staples. They have rerouted the closely monitored entrance to enter only. Moving the equally highly monitored exit to the other side of the store where they check receipts. There are security people stationed throughout the store. I suspect they are worried about theft as more people run out of pesos.

This is how I feel some days!

I have observed some construction and repair people remaining on the job. Gas, water, internet/telephone and electric workers are out and about. Every place I have been offers free hand sanitizer. I have also observed heightened security in the stores, on the streets and beach.

Take good care, everyone!

Climate: Sunny and warm. Highs in the lower 80’s.

10 APRIL 2020|FRIDAY

Puerto Vallarta-Another Week

Another week of social isolation has past. Who knows when it will end. I hope sometime in May. The Mexican government does not release many details. And when they do, the information is hard to believe, since there is little testing and reporting, so I hear.

Normally packed Vendor stands sit empty. There are no customers.

All I can report is what I see. I see temporary hospitals being built. In the “touristy” areas most everything is closed. Except “essential services.” Whatever that means. In non touristy areas, similar to where I live, it is definitely quieter. But still active. I see many food/taco stands and markets that are open and there are more people on the streets. I have heard there are sick people in PV and a that a few have died.

Closed and boarded up

It is Semana Santa, Easter week. I see at lot of Spring cleaning going on. I suspect local families are gathering. The officials are stopping traffic entering into our state of Jalisco, asking about travel plans and warning to be careful and use the state mandated precautions. Since PV is essentially closed, they are probably turning away visitors from the interior heading here to celebrate. This time of year the beaches would be packed with MX travelers.

Handy work of a creative Gardner in my neighborhood

For me, I am bored. Looking for new ways to fill my time. I don’t do “idol” well. ….Comes from my mom. She was always busy. Even when watching TV, she would be knitting, crocheting or sewing something. Into her 90’s she would sit at her computer and play solitaire or read……. I have baked bread and cinnamon rolls. Attended to household projects, that I have been putting off. My house is uncharacteristically clean. I go out and walk everyday and continue to do necessary errands.

From scratch,….fresh bread and cinnamon rolls

I am going to try to get one blog a week out. So until next week, everyone take care and stay sane! And don’t forget to subscribe. Scroll to the bottom of this page and enter your email address.

Climate: Sunny and beautiful, high 80’s

3 APRIL 2020|FRIDAY

PUERTO VALLARTA TODAY

img_2246
Los Muertos Beach..today.

This is Puerto Vallarta on March 31, 2020!  We are under a stay at home order.  The beaches, and indoor and outdoor public spaces have been closed in anticipation of Semana Santa, Easter crowds. Many hotels have also closed. No police enforced quarantines or social distancing as of yet.

Almost all tourists and snow birds have left.  Most business are closed.  All bars and entertainment venues are closed until at least the end of April.   There are a few restaurants open.  The liquor stores and gas stations are open as are grocery stores and “essential” services. The streets are empty.  Buses, taxes and Uber are operational.

We have Cruise Ships parked around the bay.  We are told only crews are on board and are not allowed ashore.  These ships are are here because the Mexican government has allowed them to moor or anchor since their home ports are not allowing them in.

%p1dzoxWRjGMUjX22z2DVA
Ships in the Bay

As usual, expat neighborhoods look different than nationals neighborhood.  Now, I rarely see expats in my neighborhood.  My neighbors are mostly Mexican. So the scene is different.  The taco stands and markets are open.  Social distancing is not on peoples minds.  I do see a few people wearing masks. Most seem more concerned with keeping their daily lives as normal as possible and trying to survive economically.

One notable exception is the silence of the church one block from my house.  No music, no bells, and no people.  Since it and the schools are closed, my once busy street filled with moms and dads chauffeuring their young ones back and forth is empty.

I know no one that is sick.  But I have heard that the hospitals are seeing a few cases of the virus and that there have been deaths. But, there is little testing and communication is poor in Mexico. Field hospitals and burial sites are being built in anticipation of what’s to come. I suspect it is just beginning.

I don’t know how I feel about restaurant servers wearing masks and gloves. Something is wrong with this picture?

As for me, I am bored, but ok. I try to go for a walk everyday. My house is very clean. My pantry is full. My vodka supply is ample. I have a few projects I am saving for other boring days. I am finding TV options I didn’t know I had. I listen to NPR to try to stay aware. AND I have learned how to get through and use the upgraded dashboard (the template, I use to compose my blogs supplied by WordPress. My site publisher.) Which, now is totally unrecognizable compared to the old one I have used for the last three years! Turns out, I am not to old to learn new tricks!!

More to come as this tragedy unfolds.

Climate: sunny and warm with a pleasant ocean breeze. Highs in the low 80’s

17 MARCH 2020|TUESDAY

TODAY IN PUERTO VALLARTA

Public beach…a stones throw from busy Los Muertos beach, restaurants and bars.

The “virus” is on my mind, as it is with most everyone these days.  It has surely found its way to PV.  No one knows the extend of its presence.  Mexico is not doing much testing.

Holding true to tradition.   Relying on the people to self monitor and take the appropriate precautions.   It is difficult to get accurate information as the MX government prefers not to share negative information.  Specially in tourist areas.  It’s all about the peso.  (The peso is the weakest it has ever been, 23:1.)  They ARE encouraging social distancing.

Many expats and snow birds are not doing so well.  Worry what the consequences of their return home might be.  If they are allowed return?  An abundance of “rumors” does not help.   Along with the drama lovers spreading those rumors.

I wonder if the MX government will close its borders to foreigners??

The government has banned cruise ships from docking in Puerto Vallarta.  Knowing that thousand of strangers will not be wandering the streets is somewhat reassuring.  This time of year, I usually see two or three in port each week.  I can hear the blast of their horns from my casa.  This will have a huge effect on the economy and the Mexican people.

The streets are quieter than normal.  The schools are closing for at least a month.  They were scheduled to close for two weeks celebrating Semana Santa in early April.

Los Muertos Bay

For me, I do not know anyone that is sick.  I am well.  I wash my hands often and use the sanitizers, many business are now providing.  I ride the buses and continue to make my way through each day as I normally would taking each day one by one.

If you are thinking of traveling to PV.  I suggest you wait until a more certain time.  Even though the peso makes MX a  great value.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Take care, everyone!  And Happy St. Patricks Day.

Climate: Partly cloudy and warm.  Highs in the 80’s.

 

 

13 February 2020|Thursday

Buying Property…

Casa map location.  Map shows Colonias (neighborhoods)   The casa is in the Vila de sol Colonia.  Too new to be shown on maps.  we refer to it via La Aurora.  The neighboring colonia.

Before I continue the story of the property purchase…I need to talk about our bazar weather.  We have had more rainy/cloudy days since the first of the year than we had all last winter.  More than I have seen in my almost four years living here.  Downpours lasting hours, chilly cloudy days, thunder and lighting.  Weather normally reserved for August and September.  Because of this unusual weather, the normally brown vegetation is green and thriving.  Sadly, many visitors, starving for the sun have been disappointed.   Although the days continue to be warm.  It has not been “tourist” weather.  For me and most other “locals,”  we are loving it!

Back to the story.  Once our offer was accepted, the real negotiations began.   The house was not finished to our liking.  It still needed more electrical work, lighting, shower enclosures, and other minor upgrades completed before the purchase was ready to go to the Notary (the person responsible for making sure the purchase was legal and all the “I s” were dotted.)  He and our attorney handeled the entire process, which took about two months to finally close.  We as buyers were responsible for this cost.  We had to show up a couple of times for signatures and payments.  That was it.

I enjoying regular church bell serrandas and services. This catholic church, Diocesis de Tepic, is one short block west of my Casa. I hope they include me in their prayers!

In Mexico, a foreigner can not legally own land within three meters of the ocean.  Our house is about two blocks from the water.  So we are offered a trust or Fideicomiso, a land trust.  This trust is made though a bank acting as a trustee.  It is good for 100 years.  Of course there is a fee.  Paid yearly to the bank.  (I think the fee is the whole reason for the trust requirement.) .  More money from foreigners to the MX government for the privilege of living on their splendid beachfronts.  In our case around $500 per year.  The Fideicomiso is fully transferable and renewable.  We are in full control of our property.  Once all of this was completed, we fork over the money to the builder.  In turn the happy builder/owner relinquishes the keys.  We finally took ownership the end of July.

Casa is located at the far north edge of the tall white hotels.  Well north of the Romantic Zone at the south end of town.

The seller was happy to receive the money and have their house sold.   But they are not out of woods, yet.  The house comes with a one year warranty.  We have been seriously taking advantage of that warranty.  More about that later.

Now the upgrades and remodeling will fill my time for the next six plus months.

Climate:  Partly cloudy.  Highs in the low 80’s.