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.