Art in Vallarta

One of the reasons I love Puerto Vallarta, is it's thriving art scene. Every Wednesday night many of the local art galleries host an 'art walk'. Tons of people show up to wander from gallery to gallery sipping complimentary wine or tequila, attending show openings and generally enjoying a wide variety of excellent art.

Another reason to love Puerto Vallarta is the Malecon. The Malecon is a wide seaside walkway of 2 or 3 kilometres in the centre of town. It is where people go to see and be seen - locals and tourists alike. On one side of the walkway is the ocean, on the other side are some of the trendiest clubs, restaurants and boutiques in town. The Malecon is also an art gallery of sorts.... as it is home to a wide variety of sculptures, both permanent and 'temporary'.

Where have all the pelicans gone?

When Aaste was a baby, we spent a week here in Puerto Vallarta. She was fascinated by the flocks of pelicans that regularly flew by our 11th floor balcony. I noticed this year that the pelicans are few and far between in our little bay.

Mom was telling me that when she first started spending her winters here that people used to sometimes catch yellow fin tuna off the rocks on the beach, and she could see schools of them passing by in the bay fairly regularly. It's been years since anyone saw any yellow fin tuna in this bay.

A few years ago it was projected that within 40 years there will not be any fish left in the oceans. I suppose without fish... there won't be any pelicans either.

Injured again!

Two years ago I arrived in Mexico for my holiday with my foot in a cast, having broken it 2 days prior to arriving. People here are beginning to think I am accident prone! Last Friday night while dancing at a nightclub downtown, I managed to severely sprain my left foot and have been left immobilized ever since. It took a couple of days to find crutches long enough for me, so I have been using the complex's wheelchair (which is safer than crutches anyway AND gives me a reason to be very lazy). My sister and other friends have been highly amused at my expense and love to pretend they are going to tip me into the swimming pool or let the chair go down the ramp on it's own. It's all good fun - but I am getting bored with this immobility thing and was very sad to miss my favourite hike to Las Animas Beach yesterday.

Guess which one I hurt!

Guadalajara

On December 26 I travelled with 5 women friends to Guadalajara for a bit of a sight seeing and shopping trip. Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and although I have been to Mexico many many times I had never visited the city. It is the home of ranchero culture, mariachis, tequila, 20 some universities, Mexico's largest and most visible gay community, and over 4 million people. The Guggenheim foundation is currently building their sixth museum here and it is expected to be finished in 2010.


We passed fields and fields of blue agave on the way. This is the plant from which they make tequila.


Guadelajara boasts the largest market in the country.

At home at the Girasol

On December 24 I flew down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where I have been spending most of my Christmas holidays for the last 10 years or so. My mother spends her winters here and my sister and I congregate there, often with other friends. Aaste is spending the holidays with her Dad in Toronto, but will join me later this month.

Our complex in PV is called the Girasol, which means sunflower in Spanish. It is right on the beach and over the years we have gotten to know many of the residents and staff. It is definately a second home.


Our friend, Brenda, dancing with Manuel on New Years Eve.


The view from our balcony.

Partying at the Cloak

While in Toronto in December I, of course, had to visit my friendly neighborhood pub. I was welcomed with hugs from all and it felt all warm and fuzzy to be back. I gave the pub a 'yul tomte' from Sweden for good luck during the holiday season. Tomte is Swedish for elf or fairy and a yul tomte is a Christmas fairy. They are everywhere in Sweden and I brought back a few tiny ones to give away. Here are few pics of the tomte and friends at the Cloak. Happy New Year everyone!

Getting ready for Christmas

After returning to Gothenburg from Spain, we began to make preparations for returning home including finishing up some Christmas shopping. The Swedes make a big deal of Christmas and Christmas markets are in abundance. Liseburg (an amusement park in Gothenburg) has one of the largest ones in the country. Unfortunately the day we were to go to Liseburg it was pouring rain so we thought better of it. Aaste and I did attend this Christmas craft market in the oldest secular building in Gothenburg and then went to the Haga neighborhood to sit outside and enjoy our coffee while snuggling under the blankets that are commonly provided by the restaurants.





We flew back to Toronto on December 5 and I was fortunately able to attend my annual Christmas cookie exchange party with my fellow baking friends. We also had a fun tree trimming party, as well as a get-together at my friend Sarah's house.






I departed Toronto on December 24 to join my sister and my mother in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Aaste will join me there in January.