Lazy Day in the Sun

Sunday morning, we said Adios to Greg and Scott as they head back to Houston. It was a fun time having them here and we look forward to when we can all meet in Vallarta again. 

After waving good-bye, it was time to get ourselves organized and head south to John and Mark's for a day in the sun around their pool. Their home is about 5 miles south of us in the Conchas Chinas neighborhood. It was a relaxing day of conversation, good food and margaritas. 

Heading out to Eat Again

Sometimes it seems that is all we do here is eat and while eating we are thinking about where we are going to eat next. Way too much good food!

Before Greg and Scott packed their bags and headed to the States, we had to squeeze in one last dinner at one of the favorite restaurants in Vallarta. The Red Cabbage (Repollo Rojo) http://www.redcabbagepv.com/index.html is located about 5 blocks from the house (unless you take the goat trail over the hill and down). The Red Cabbage is an unassuming place and easily missed if there wasn't such a crowd standing outside the entrance.

Each item on the menu is amazing, but their Chiles en Nogada is like nothing I have ever had before. A brief history of the dish along with pictures can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiles_en_nogada. This, along with anything made with their Mole sauce, makes for one great dinner.

After, we headed out to the local piano bar called Garbo for a nightcap. The piano player was loud, the singer even louder and the gin and tonic was undrinkable. The loud piano player and singer I can tolerate, but a bad gin is where I draw the line. We were on our way home shortly.

Sand Art

Along the main boardwalk (Malecon) in downtown Vallarta (El Centro) you can see examples of Sand Artwork. Constructed with just sand and decorated with different color sands, the finish product is quick striking. Located along the busy Malecon tips are given in appreciation of their hard work. Most common is Our Lady of Guadalupe seen (top).

Thinking about that next career move, I tried my hand at it. The photo below is my version of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Do you think I have a future? 

Casa Leo - The Escape Pod

Back in August, 2002 my best friend and real estate partner, Robbie and I purchased a place in the sun; Casa Leo. At the time, I was unemployed and in retrospect was more concerned on how I was going to scrape together my half of the down payment than about finding a job. Gotta have the priorities straight.

Purchasing property in Mexico was quite an adventure. Understanding that the Notary (Notario) was an inherited position, getting our closing paperwork translated by his assistant that learned English while surfing off Los Angeles and getting use to the heat and humidity made the whole process exhausting. But in the end, well worth it.

Casa Leo is one of 10 homes located in a small complex know as Casas del Zodiaco. Built by an American woman that arrived in Puerto Vallarta in 1962 (as the stories goes). Married a Mexican national, purchased a piece of property south of downtown (El Centro) in Zona Romantica and began building traditional Mexican style one and two bedroom homes all centered around a swimming pool and gardens.

Prior to this, I had not been to Puerto Vallarta, but fell in love with natural beauty, the culture and our new little place. Casa Leo is a traditional Mexican Casa with thick stucco walls, wood shutters, windows with decorative iron work instead of glass. With a kitchen and master bath recently remodeled, we were at a good jumping off point to bring it to the next level.

We were fortunate to have a skilled project manager that use to be our real estate agent in Seattle just a few doors away. Within a day of closing the property, plans were drawn up to redesign both bedrooms, new furniture constructed for the living room and a list prepared for items that we needed to bring from the States. No time at all, walls were torn out, other built and a more functional design allowing air to flow unobstructed.

Humidity is tough on anything metal, so new lighting went to the top of the list. Our living room and dining room fan/light combination where dangerously rusted. One snap and a blade could go flying or just give up and fall on the floor or dining room table. The living room lights looked like a goose with a broken neck; hanging helplessly. The furniture was... well..... just nasty. Stains on the cushions and termite eaten frames. The kitchen silverware and service pieces we were sure came from the local jail; we refer to it as "prison ware" and it found it way to the trash quickly.

Leaving Seattle

Took awhile to get the BLOG up and running due to the lack of an internet connection at the house. But off and running now.

Who could forget last year during the holidays. First day snow bound, not bad; second day, hey...I could get use to this; third day, hummm daytime television isn't what I thought it would be; fourth day, all my Christmas baking is done and it is only December 10th; fifth day, I gotta get out of here; sixth day, HELP, I need someone to talk to.

With the Seattle rainfall breaking records for the month of November, I boarded a plane on November 17th and headed south to Puerto Vallarta, MX.

Leaving WaMu

On October 30th, we turned in our lap tops, walked the halls of WaMu Center one last time, and went to lunch with former WaMu colleagues and friends. It was the end of what could only be described as one wild ride, filled with emotion, uncertainty and self discovery. WaMu was an amazing place to apply your gifts and talents. But more than that, it was co-workers and business partners that became friends and family that allow the work to be fulfilling and enjoyable.

My years at WaMu gave me the opportunity to meet and become friends with some of the most caring, compassionate, smart and fun loving people. I was fortunate to work along side and partner with such great people.

Puerto Vallarta - A brief history lesson

Puerto Vallarta is coastal town located on the Bay of Bandaras. Found in 1851, by Guadlupe Sanchez a boatman who would bring salt from San Blas to Los Muertos Beach.

Fast forward to the 1960's. In 1962, Mexicana Airlines launched the Puerto Vallarta - Mazatlan - Los Angeles route. Still catering to a more "adventuresome" clientele (cows grazed on the runway), guest went by mule to their hotel.

Hollywood met Puerto Vallarta with John Houston's film, Night of the Iguana. If you haven't seen it.....you haven't missed anything. Before my first trip to Vallarta, we rented it. After 40 minutes, I struggled to stay awake, after 45 I wish it would just end. But the film production, brought stars such as Deborah Kerr, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyon and Richard Burton along with Elizabeth Taylor to the shores of the Bay of Banderas. The year was 1963.

With the celebrities, came the international press that began arriving in hordes to report on the latest gossip and highlight the beauty of this out of the way location. From this point on Puerto Vallarta was on the map.