Issue 1063, August 17 - 23, 2017

RIVIERA NAYARIT

real estate

Page 06

Page 07

Islas Marietas Recovering

Pier 57 Cocktails

VallartaTribune.com

Mayor commits to Centro improvements Page 08

August 17 - 23, 2017 Year 20 Free Issue 1063

DE I U G

a or Ah en l ño pa Es

E E FR

news

Nuevo Vallarta – Everything you need for your next vacation Page 16

Introducing the Jalapeño Page 11

Featured Property Page 04

Top 10 Hidden Treasures

Page 18

welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit Here is some advice to make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable.

TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from Guayabitos to the Ameca River and including Nuevo Vallarta.

BUSES: A system of urban buses can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between. Current fare within Puerto Vallarta is $7.50 pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board a bus. Hold on to your ticket. This is your proof and insurance should anything happen.

Bus destinations are typically written on the front of the window.

Those with a ‘centro’ sign will drive through downtown Puerto Vallarta and those with a ‘tunel’ sign will drive through the tunnel roads that go behind the city.

TAXIS: There are set rates within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver first. Price is per trip not person unless there are more than four passengers.

Take note of the taxi number on the outside door and where it picked you up. If you lose an item this information will be vital to attempting to get it back.

MONEY EXCHANGE: To exchange money you will need your passport. Best option is to use your bankcard to withdraw funds from any ATM machine. ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees.

USING PESOS OR USD: Businesses must display their prices in pesos and they may also post the prices in any other currency they choose. They cannot refuse to accept pesos. Some service staff may appreciate being tipped in USD and others in pesos. If you are concerned, ask.

TIPPING: How much and when you tip are personal choices and unless otherwise noted a 10-20%

tip on food and beverage and services is standard. Tip the kids and seniors who bag your groceries. They work exclusively for tips. Have change at the ready for musicians and clowns that ride the buses – typically tipping 5 pesos or less. Taxi drivers do not receive tips unless they go to extraordinary lengths.

DRINKING WATER: Puerto Vallarta’s water (at the source) is certified pure enough to drink. For many who live here long term, we drink from our taps with no issues.

For those on vacation, it may be better to stick to bottled water.

EXPORTING PETS: Falling in love with a rescue animal is easy – and it’s easy to take them home with you. The process is quick and inexpensive. You need a certificate of health from a local vet with the appropriate inoculations, among other things. The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo hold of the plane may be your biggest challenge. Contact your airline to double-check their requirements.

COMMON SENSE: Just as you would not walk around your hometown drunk and belligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated. Pay attention to your surroundings. Pay your bills. Be courteous. And have fun!

DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 15,000 pesos. You can be taken to jail and your vehicle impounded.

There are many checkstops on the weekends and you will be asked to blow if they suspect you have been drinking.

LEGAL SYSTEM: Not knowing the law is not a valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere. If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that the system works much differently here than you are likely used to. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Director Noemi Zamora noemizamorareynoso@gmail.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team Information office ventastribuna7@yahoo.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cysandra@gmail.com cisandra@vallartatribune.com

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Calling in Mexico Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky. There are different codes you need to use depending if you are calling landlines or cellular phones and if they are local or long distance.

LONG-DISTANCE CALLS FROM WITHIN MEXICO For national long-distance calls (within Mexico) the code is 01 plus the area code and phone number. For international long-distance calls, first dial 00, then the country code (U.S. and Canada country code is 1), so you would dial 00 + 1 + area code + 7 digit number.

CALLING CELL PHONES (FROM A LAND LINE) If you are calling from a landline within the area code of the Mexican cell phone number dial 044, the 10 digit number. Outside of the area code (but still within Mexico) dial 045 and then the 10 digit phone number. Cell phone to cell phone only requires the 10 digit number.

PHONE CARDS Phone cards (tarjetas telefonicas) for use in pay phones can be bought at newsstands and in pharmacies.

Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that you would like a tarjeta LADA. CALLING TOLL-FREE NUMBERS Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not. Those that do work are often not toll-free. You need to dial a different prefix. To call the following toll free prefixes, dial as follows: 800 numbers Dial 001-880-then the number 866 numbers Dial 001-883-then the number 877 numbers Dial 001-882-then the number 888 numbers Dial 001-881-then the number

Emergencies: 911 Red Cross: 065 Fire Department: 322.223.9476 Ambulance: 322.222.1533

Ahoy Cruisers!

NAME PASS DATE CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 02/08/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 09/08/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 16/08/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 23/08/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 30/08/2017

Immigration: 322.224.7719 Consumer Protection: 01.800.468.8722 Tourism Offices Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Consulates American Consulate 24 hrs 01-332-268-2100 Canadian Consulate 322.293.0098 322.293.0099 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

In port this month

In the month of August Puerto Vallarta welcomes 16, 000 passengers!

Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and publishes information as it is provided by the advertiser or event host. We do not assume responsibility in errors or omissions other than to correct them as they are made known to us regarding event schedules, locations and/or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, that permission has been obtained to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error. We recommend you always confirm prior to attending or visiting an event or establishment. Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete Junio, SA de CV Grupo Editorial Tribuna Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. 226-0800 editor@ vallartatribune.com * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/vallarta.tribune

Cut out and put near your phone for handy reference

02

editorial

03

Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

Back to school after this weekend

B

ack to school! That’s right, next week all the children in Mexico head back to the classroom and then the beaches and resorts around the Bay of Banderas will become nearly empty, but only for a couple weeks and the cycle starts again.

This weekend many of the most popular spots for families will be extremely crowded, which if you’re looking to enjoy a truly ‘Mexican’ experience at the beach, this is a great time to get out.

My first summer here I distinctly remember saying to my son, let’s go for a drive and we went up to Guayabitos. We had never been there before and when we pulled up to the town, there were a hundred tour buses spilling out on to the highway, thousands upon thousands of people getting one last beach

day in. The beach had nowhere to lay a towel and the water was thirty feet deep with families standing shoulder to shoulder. It was something to see, especially from this Canadian who values her personal space.

Playas Boca de Tomates just past the airport, as well as Playa Destiladeras and Playa La Manzanilla, both just past La Cruz de Huancaxtle, are particular family favourites. There you will find roving mariachi and banda, restaurants selling everything from micheladas to shrimp diablo and the local specialty, grilled red snapper. The vendors will be laden down with beach toys, hammocks, clothing, jewelry, and other souvenirs, while families will be taking in one last weekend at the beach.

To the south, the beaches from Conchas China to Mismaloya will be just as busy but with less food services and vendors.

After this weekend things get pretty quiet. It can be a difficult

This Week’s Must Attend Event

PV Garden Club Sumer Social When: Thursday August 17 from 6-8pm Where: Incanto, 109 insurgentes

G

rab your friends and join the Vallarta Garden Club for our second social of the summer.

Open to all, not just Garden Club members, our summer socials are a great opportunity to meet new people, find out what the PVGC is all about, and reconnect with friends in a relaxed, fun setting. If you’re in Vallarta, we would love to see you!

Please join us for drinks and appetizers at 6:00 pm on the

Incanto terrace overlooking Rio Cuale.

Then, at 6:45 pm, Mike Laking and David Muck will take us on a photographic tour of our many plantings from the Fall and Spring.

They’re thriving and we’re thrilled to give everyone an update.

If you have friends that would like to join the Garden Club as members, please bring them. We have so much planned for next season and will need everyone’s support to accomplish our goals.

time for local shops and employees that rely on tips for much of their wages. If you’re in the Vallarta area, support local. Shop at your corner store and be generous to those who have so much less. Two of the local farmers markets will continue through August and September. On Fridays, you can visit the Marsol Market by the pier and on Saturdays check out the Three Hen’s and a Rooster market – both you can read more about in this week’s Tribune.

We welcome a new contributor this week, James (Jimmy) Nash. A long time, full time resident, Jimmy is going to cover lifestyle, food and real estate in his weekly column. This week he talks about the lowly jalepeño chili pepper with some great tips on how to cook with it. And he attended the swanky Pier 57 opening. Oh, the perks of being a writer with the Tribune! Welcome to the pages, Jimmy.

That’s it for me this week. I’m still up north, where the days are sunny but smoky and the nights are chilly – I might have to buy socks, can you imagine?! Home soon.

Safe travels, Madeline

DO YOU REALLY NEED

THAT STRAW?

IF YOU DON’T NEED THAT STRAW, THEN THE NEXT TIME YOU ORDER A DRINK SAY -

Welcome James Nash

Sin popote, por favor!

Alegre Tours Calendar:

Alegre Tours

Sept 29-Oct 09-2017 Argentina/ Buenos Aires/IguazuFall/Mendoza Wine Country November 04-11-2017 Cuba Havana and Varadero Beach November 28-December 05-2017 Mexico City/Cernavaca/Valle de Bravo/Xochimilco/Taxco December 15-2017 Mascota/Talpa 1 Day Tour January 13-19-2018 Guanajuato/San Miguel/Leon February 12-15-2018 Tonala Original Special “Shop Till You Drop” Tour Visit Tonala Marketplace and Furniture Expo March 17-24-2018 Merida/Chichen-Itza/Becal/Uxmal

Reservations & Information: Roberta Valdez 951.760.1068 rvaldez714@hotmail.com

news

04

Featured Property of the Week

Oceanfront on Playa Los Muertos LA PALAPA 707

Asking $209,000 USD 1 BED, 1 BATH, 710 Sq Ft.

T

his charming unit in the iconic beachfront complex of La Palapa features a great covered terrace and open floor plan.

The fully equipped kitchen features island counters, all appliances and adjacent dining for four. The comfortable living area has a cozy couch that coverts to sleeping area for guests and sliding doors to the terrace; perfect for entertaining and enjoying the views and ocean breezes! The restful bedroom includes a king sized bed, sliders to the terrace and air conditioning.

Some other features include Saltillo floor tiles, art niches and a flat screen television.

The well maintained complex features 24 hr. security, elevator, renowned restaurant, on-site administration and incredible rooftop pool with sundeck and panoramic ocean views. www.boardwalkrealtypv.com/ properties/la-palapa-707/

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Vallarta 9-1-1 Heroes Calendar Needs Sponsors

By Tim Longpre ur last calendar featuring Puerto Vallarta’s first-responders left the world hot under the collar, and the new one is as steamy as ever.

This year’s 14-month calendar (December 2017 to January 2019), featuring a complete list of Mexico, US and Canadian holidays, will highlight local firefighters, lifeguards, police, traffic enforcement and paramedics.

100% of the funds raised will fund equipment to complement Puerto Vallarta’s new 9-1-1 emergency services program which will drastically reduce response time for both life-threatening and non life-threatening calls.

As a sponsor, your ad (to be created by our professional designer) will be prominently placed in the calendar and your participation will be acknowledged in a series of national and international press releases as well as a series of social networking posts.

As a sponsor, you will also be

O

entitled to four skip-the-line early-entry tickets to our November Launch Party and publicly recognized at this very popular event.

Sponsor space is limited and available for just $2,500 pesos.

Reserve your space by emailing gary(at)andalesonthebay.com, or tim(at)pvrpv.com.

THANK YOU, VALLARTA!

With your help, more than 500 meters of beaches were cleaned on 06 May 2017.

On the same day, dozens of Intercam employees and their families throughout the Republic cleaned more than 10 kilometers of Mexico’s coastline.

Just one way Intercam Bank is responsibly caring for our planet.

CENTRO VALLARTA (322) 223-3080

MARINA VALLARTA (322) 209-0696

BUCERIAS/FLAMINGOS (329) 226-6162

Hello, we are here, to ensure your well-being.

We have come to Puerto Vallarta now to offer you the best healthcare and well-being that our 45 years of experience can provide.

news

06

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Islas Marietas Recovering after Poorly Regulated Tourism

M New Guinness record, this one for ice cream

3,500 enjoy ice cream simultaneously, taking title from a town in Northern Ireland

M

ore than 3,500 people ate ice cream together on Saturday to win another Guinness record for Mexico.

The event was the brainchild of the Mexico City borough of Iztapalapa where a group of women are forming ice cream-making cooperatives and saw promotion opportunities in a Guinness record.

The record is for the largest number of people eating ice cream at the same time, which until Saturday was held by the small town of Portstewart, Northern Ireland.

It won the title in 2011 when 2,728 people gathered to eat the frozen snack, a number that was easily beaten by the Chilangos, who might have come close to doubling that number had they not run out of ice cream. A proud Izta-

palapa Mayor Dione Anguiano said 45 people worked for two days to make the 300 kilograms of vanilla ice cream.

She said more than 5,000 turned up for the event at the Monument of the Revolution, where they were positioned to form the shape of an ice cream cone when viewed from above. Anguiano said it would help promote the new ice cream cooperatives in her borough, which she boasted was the one responsible for moving Mexico City forward.

Mexicans’ fascination for Guinness records goes back many years and the country has won several, from the largest carpet of flowers (14,200 square meters) to the most mariachis performing simultaneously (700).

Original: Mexico News Daily

exico’s Islas Marietas National Park is recovering from the effects of pollution and a wave of unregulated tourism, officials told EFE. “Having a presence in the area has helped us make much progress in terms of the tourism activities,” park director Jorge Castrejon said.

Daily patrols, the presence of six rangers and a set of regulations that have drawn the criticism of tourists helped park officials impose “order” in the area, which was swamped by thousands of visitors over a two-year period, Castrejon said.

National Protected Natural Areas Commission (CONANP) scientists and technicians have been working for a year to restore coral reefs and other areas of the park damaged by the huge influx of visitors.

Visitor numbers violated the regulations set by officials, with 3,000 people per day arriving in the park during Holy Week 2016,

while the legal limit was 625, the CONANP said.

Islas Marietas National Park, which is made up of 19 islands, is located about 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) off the coast of the western state of Nayarit.

The national park is home to birds, coral reefs, fish, sea turtles,

crustaceans and sharks, a species that has been targeted by poachers.

Since it’s reopening, the Mexican National Park System (CONANP) has set a strong control and restrictions in order to assure the conservation of the Park allowing only 116 visitors per day for 176 authorized boats.

Canada PM Trudeau eyeing Mexico trip in October amid NAFTA talks

C

anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering a trip to Mexico in October to meet with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, his office said on Tuesday.

The visit would be Trudeau’s first trip to Mexico since taking office in 2015 and come in the midst of trilateral talks to update the North

American Free Trade Agreement.

Pena Nieto visited Trudeau in Ottawa in June 2016.

Negotiations to modernize NAFTA kick of in Washington on Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump has targeted both Mexico and Canada for taking unfair advantages in the trading relationship.

Ottawa has suggested it could walk away from talks if the United States pushed to remove a key dispute-settlement mechanism in the trade deal.

A spokesman for Trudeau said the trip is “possible” but that it is too early to confirm dates for the visit or an agenda. www.reuters.com

Bear and three cubs sighted in the state of Chihuahua Sightings of West Mexico black bear described as ‘outstanding’

T

he sighting of a West Mexico black bear and its three cubs has been described as “outstanding” by the federal Natural Protected Areas Commission (Conanp).

The agency announced last week that the four bears were sighted in the state of Chihuahua by community surveillance teams and on stealth cameras installed in the Campo Verde Wildlife Protection Area.

Mother and cubs were in good health, Conanp said.

There are an estimated 122 black bears within Campo Verde, in an area that takes in parts of the

municipalities of Madera and Casas Grandes. A total of 31 females and their cubs have been captured by the cameras, each mother having an average of two young.

The reintegration of the West Mexico black bear (Ursus americanus machetes) populations to their natural habitat has been brought about through a number of programs create and coordinated by Conanp.

One of those, the Action Program for Species’ Conservation (PACE), has included the implementation of 12 community projects and a regional biological surveillance project.

The bears are found in temperate forests of the western and eastern Sierra Madre Oriental and other adjoining mountain ranges, encompassing areas in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí and Sonora.

The species’ fur is generally dark black although some specimens can appear brown and even beige in color. The bears can grow to two meters in length and weigh up to 216 kilograms.

The animals’ main threat is the loss of natural habitat caused by deforestation and fragmentation of wooded areas, caused by unsustai-

nable logging, farming and livestock breeding practices.

The black bear is also considered by some as a coveted hunting trophy.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the species as a subject

of “least concern,” while the Mexican government considers it as “subject to special protection.”

Black bear populations in Mexico continue to grow, but some experts have recommended that the species be considered “endangered.”

Original: Mexico News Daily

news

07

Motown and Ballet Folklorico Tradiciones at Incanto

C

elebrating their one year anniversary this month with two new shows, Ballet Folklórico Tradiciones features a variety of traditional dances from various states in Mexico. They will perform the exciting ‘Dance of the Machetes’ from Nayarit, and as the handsome Charros and beautiful ladies of Jalisco, among others.

The group, made up of young adults and children between the ages of six and fourteen, was founded in 2016 by Director and Choreographer Alexis Guadalupe Jimon Garcia. Having received rave reviews from many performance venues throughout the city, their popularity continues to grow.

Their colorful traditional costumes are of the highest quality and are quite breathtaking to see.

So well regarded for their professionalism and talent, they have been invited to represent Mexico and the state of Jalisco in Shanghai, China, at the Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Art Festival in September.

They have successfully raised most of the necessary funds needed to travel there through appearances at Incanto and elsewhere, but still have not reached their goal. If you can help, please call (322 105 5916), or contact them via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/folkloricotradiciones/ Donations may also be made at Incanto. Performances are two nights only, August 18 & 19 at 7pm.

Entertainer Dwight Blake is an accomplished pianist/singer/ composer who is gifted with a wide vocal range.

He is well-known for bringing heartfelt passion and energy to his performances.

Audiences are often so moved, they get up and dance during his

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Red Carpet Cocktails at Pier 57

By James Nash

O shows. In this special one night only performance of Motown-Latin Fusion, Blake teams with popular local group Piel Canela, featuring guitarists Eduardo Leon and Fernando Huerta Gonzalez. Both are highly respected and sought after musicians, having accompanied many artists in town and abroad, including being members of Kim Kuzma’s band in recent years.

They also appear regularly at Garbo and recently played at

Incanto for a special event.

Together with Dwight Blake singing Motown hits, they’ll blend classic favorites with a spicy Latin flare. One night only, Friday, August 25th at 8pm.

Sylvie & Jorge of The Zippers play Classic Rock on Tuesdays at 8pm. Carlos & Tongo play Latin/ Cuban rhythms on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Open Mic is on Thursdays at 7pm hosted by Tracy Parks with Chris Kenny on guitar. Fridays at 7:30pm is ‘The Joanie Show’ starring Joan Houston with Salvatore on piano.

Loteria with Bev takes the place of Bingo with Pearl fundraisers on Saturdays in August, hosted by Beverly Fairfax.

Proceeds benefit Ballet Folklorico Tradiciones who will perform.

Singer/songwriter Chris Kenny plays Saturdays at 8pm, followed

by Spanish guitarist/singer Gabriel Reyes at 10pm (also on Fridays at 10pm). Azúca plays Gypsy Swing/ Latin Jazz at 7:30pm on Sundays, with Salsa dancing and lessons with professional dance instructor Francisco Ledesma at 8pm.

n a sultry summer Friday afternoon the team at Pier 57 hosted a red carpet event to showcase the opening of its model suites and show off the impressive rooftop views. The event scheduled to run from 4 until 7 lingered on well into the early evening as guests continued to arrive and those in attendance enjoyed the beautiful spaces and each other’s company.

With freely flowing prosecco and gourmet hors d’oeuvres it took little to imagine the luxury lifestyle that residents and guests at Pier 57 will enjoy. The design of the interior spaces has been done to a level one expects at five-star hotels. The sleek fixtures, including the stunning kitchens and bathroom mirrors with back lighting, made me look twice at the view to remind myself I was not hanging with friends on the Côte d’Azur!

Pier 57’s design team has taken great lengths to not only provide the highest quality of finishes but a design that allows for maximum flexibility. Speaking from personal experience the integrated custom cabinetry and appliances is something that we have come to expect in high end design. But the clever ability to close off the entire working kitchen and use the stunning marble island with waterfall edge to host your guests for cocktails or dinner is an example of just how much creativity went into these interiors. These clever uses of the interior space will allow residents to use their home as casually or formally as they please and add to the value of calling Pier 57 home.

The event was hosted by Wayne Franklin of Tropicasa Realty so I asked him for a quick quote on

Wayne Franklin and James Nash the space he and his team have been marketing for well over a year. ¨While there is much development in the Romantic Zone core neighborhood, it is clear that Pier 57 has created a new benchmark of luxury given its rich finish materials, unique functionality and home systems, and extravagant common lounge spaces.¨ After touring the inside suites and with sunset approaching, the view was calling my name. We were fortunate to be able to tour the roof top lounge and pool area which the developer believes from their research is the largest private roof top pool in Latin America. It is clear to see the passion that the developer has put into this project with all the spaces, both shared and private, being finished to a high standard with the usability as the primary focus.

The sunken fire pit, roof deck lounge and library will be complimented with a stunning roof top bar.

These luxury spaces will inclue first class food and beverage service provided in-house. I have asked to get the inside scoop as soon as details of which restaurant will be providing this and will let the readers know as soon as I do!

Developer Toro Rosso has created an opportunity to live a Pacific coast lifestyle that people

Beautiful people attending the grand opening of the model suites

Free Flowing Prosecco always helps on a warm summer afternoon

Host Wayne Franklin, Tropicasa Realty dream of, and with brisk sales I recommend you reach out to see the spaces sooner than later. And if you buy in this building feel free to invite me over for cocktails on the roof!

For more information on Pier 57 you can contact your local realtor or the team at Tropicasa Realty.

Until next time stay cool in our tropical summer!

local

08

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

From Here

Leza Warkentin

Marcia Blondin

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

marciavallarta@gmail.com

I Mayor’s office commits to improving downtown

A

n increase and improvement to streetlights, repair and extension of sidewalks and the continuation of the malecón, are some of the projected works.

In a meeting with merchants of Avenida Mexico, Plaza Malecón, Malecón, Old Town and and second part of the Malecón, the mayor, Arturo Dávalos Peña, announced that his government is working on a number of projects that will strengthen the centre of Puerto Vallarta and the tourist areas.

The projects that have been completed include the lighting along Avenue Mexico, Juárez Street and on Avenue Morelos, where also the extension of sidewalks is finished.

The city continues to improve and extend the sidewalks along Honduras Street and the continuation of the seawall from the Hotel Rosita to Hotel Buenaventura.

This extension will allow people to continue riding their bikes along

the designated path, but will be smaller so as not to take away from the beach.

Public lighting will be improved as you enter the malecon with LED lighting, “We will put about a thousand lighting points from where the avenue begins here, where the Camarone beach, “ explained the mayor.

Along with these projects, work is also being done to make Paraguay Street a destination with cafes and restaurants, and traffic calming measures.

“We are working, we are transforming the areas the streets are going to light up, everything in the center of Puerto Vallarta is transforming, “ he said.

Mayor Dávalos, confirmed with these projects in hand he has teamed with the federal and state governments, businessmen and citizens to improved the image of the port, strengthen public security, infrastructure and provide quality services to Vallartans.

ncanto has become the ‘go-to’ place in Vallarta for icy-cold drinks in their ice-cold piano bar upstairs. Sunday Brunch on the patio on the river Cuale – have Eggs Benny ever tasted so good?

For a meeting of the Vallarta Garden Club, join us for cocktails and canapes, Thursday, August 17th, from 6 to 8 pm. Yes, there will be a real meeting with Garden Club President David Muck and loads of ex-pats in attendance.

You don’t have to be a member to be included; it’s a great chance to meet people for those of you who are new in town.

Paco Ojeda’s lecture on Jazz Vocalists in Incanto’s intimate cabaret theatre – was well-attended, and his series, “Paco Ojeda on Music” will continue next month, with a different theme.

In the meanwhile, mark the 26th of August for his Vallarta debut of PechaKucha (he is still accepting presenters - Google it!) A fascinating concept and a super way to promote your business, idea, passions, hobby; you name it. On August 31st, Paco costars with Maestro Salvatore, Incanto’s fabulous pianist who is celebrating 38 years of playing to delighted audiences all over the Republic.

There’s a reason he is known as Mexico’s Liberace! This is a one-night affair - there are still some tickets left, so join me.

I have to give a big shout out to Ramiro whose shop on Venustiano Carranza near Insurgentes has been incredibly busy for years and years framing Vallarta’s finest pieces of art. He is always busy BUT he took a break to do me a big favor and, in return, I won’t say what he did lest he is inundated by similar requests! Thanks, Ramiro, for helping me out!

Stopped by to meet Miranda and Reid – newcomers to Vallarta and owners of “Monzon” the latest craft brewery in Vallarta. Located down the street from Ramiro’s frame shop, they were still working on getting the last of their brewery put together but open for business with happy faces, happy dogs

and good pub food. Everything is created from scratch. Drop in and tell them hello from me; if I drank beer I have a feeling I would have liked theirs very much; it’s that kind of vibe.

I have been so intrigued by Vallarta Hospice since the invitation from them to “Have Dinner and Talk about Death” that I met Michael Lindner and Joel Manning at Incanto for drinks to find out more about them and their business. It turns out that the ‘hospice’ part of their business accounts for only 5% of what they are doing in Vallarta. Michael, a registered nurse, and Joel are both so very keen on preventative medicine and taking care of those patients who may need them only for a short time. I kept bringing up scenarios and to each one, they said, “YES, we can help!”

Say you have a condo in Vallarta and want to bring your 85-year-old mom with you for a week but she has dementia.

You can cope for a day or so but what then? Contact Vallarta Hospice and they will come to you, discuss what you need and more importantly, what your mom requires. It could mean having a nurse take care of your mom for a few hours or for the balance of your vacation. They are on call 24 hours a day.

Another bunch of ‘what ifs’ that can happen during vacation: someone slips and falls and breaks a leg/steps on a sea urchin/cuts themselves in the kitchen, Vallarta Hospice can help with hospital visits, changing dressings, help to bathe someone and keep the cast dry at the same time. The thing that impressed me the most was their deep understanding of caregivers and their roles. Their very difficult roles.

Our ex-pat community is ageing and we (I!!) may very well need the many, many services that Vallarta Hospice provides. Keep their number handy: 322 220 7657 because you never know what can happen…From Here.

I am the preschool coordinator and nursery teac am also both unsurprised and not a bit sorry tha to eat. If you can live in Vallarta without appreci have to be at least half Vulcan.

Cyber Bullying and Your Kids

I

don’t think you have to be American to be discouraged over some of the base behavior we are seeing displayed amongst our top officials these days, especially on social media platforms such as Twitter. Because of the popularity and the pervasiveness of the media, it really has become a global issue.

As parents, I suppose that one of the questions we can ask ourselves is: how do we expect our children to treat each other with basic respect and dignity when we no longer have that expectation of the leaders of the free world? How do we expect our children to understand the consequences that cyber-bullying can have on themselves and others when a president appears to experience none?

I can really only answer those questions based on our own little world in the Luna household. While we are saddened by the lowered standards of behavior we are now seeing in our highest offices, my husband and I have not altered our expectations of our children in any way. Like most kids, ours have often found our rules to be grossly unjust when they are highly inconvenient, like when My Certain Buddy is going to see the restricted movie, and he always gets to see restricted movies. Also My Other Certain Buddy gets to say a curse word which is NOT EVEN A CURSE WORD ANYWAY, and they NEVER get to say any curse words that are not even curse words (yes, Gil and I are true monsters).

Gil and I have the same answer to our children in all of these scenarios, one which also fits on a global scale: We are not Buddy’s mother/ father/monster. Buddy has particular rules in his house, and we have rules in ours, and if never the twain shall meet, then lo siento, amigo.

We’ve tried to be vigilant about

local

09

Paradise

Life’s Purpose Rhonda Zarate

Pam Thompson

Rhonda Zarate is a Happy Heart Lifestyle Coach. She helps people find their happiest hearts through coaching, finding their happy home and with her book Find Your Happy Planner at Amazon, Barnes & Noble. You can see what she is up to at rhondazarate.com Wishing you a happy day!

Pamela Thompson operates HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a multi-faceted, independent, resource network that is here for your total health and well-being. We offer assistance to help find a physician, hospital and diagnostic service for any healthcare needs. www.healthcareresourcespv.com

rhondazaratelifestyle@gmail.com

what happens online as our children slowly move into social media platforms such as Snapchat and Roblox. We are well aware of how easy it is to say what’s on your mind when you cannot see the expression on the other person’s face.

It’s also easier to misunderstand a person’s intentions behind their words when you cannot read body language or hear the inflection of someone’s voice. This is especially true when you are ten and inexperienced in most things in life, such as critical reading skills.

So we talk about things they have said to someone else that might be construed as unkind. We look at ways to respond to people who are being unkind. We talk about the importance of apology and taking responsibility for what we say. And, when we think it’s enough, we shut off chat functions. We shut down apps that have been proven to be beyond our child’s skill set. And quite often, we shut down devices.

We’ve had a lot of discussions in our house about how just our own simple words can either make someone’s day, or ruin it. And that we don’t know everyone’s story when they pass through our lives so briefly. And that, sometimes, the consequences of our words can last forever. I think we have definitely had an impact in all our talking about kindness and the importance of seeing the humanity in every person, although if you saw my children arguing over the last brownie, you wouldn’t believe me. Like most parenting, this type of teaching isn’t a one day seminar. Because we can’t wrap our children up in a bubble (and believe me, I’d try if it was an option), they daily step out in the world and see examples that threaten to undo our careful work.

But if we live each day as though our children’s eyes are on us, and show them what it means to demonstrate kindness and respect, we can win this one, one family at a time.

Medical Matters

Finding

and Parenting

cher at the American School of Puerto Vallarta. I at this list of my favorites is mostly about places iating some of the good eatin’ around here, you

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Y

ou alone are the one person who can create the life of your dreams. With the right motivation, anything is possible, beginning with the assumption of your success, paying attention to what you enjoy and asking the right questions to your heart.

Focus, find and follow your passion. Start listening to what feels like your truth. When your personality aligns with your soul, your true magical life will now appear. Let’s start by uncovering your passion and finding the joy in your life. The success of finding your passion is all about the action you are willing to take. Listening to your instincts and believing, “if it’s to be it is up to me.”

Sometimes a person can feel stuck and have no idea what their passion is. I thought it might be helpful if you are feeling stuck to ask you a few questions to help get the wheels of your soul moving.

Take out a piece of paper and get quiet, and lean into this and have some fun with this. It is your life; your heart will guide you in the right direction. As always enjoy the journey of this process to your self-discovery. Explore, experiment, pursue and get creative!

1. What feels fun to you & makes you smile?

2. What topics interest, excite and inspire you the most?

3.What are passions in your life and skills you possess that you enjoy and love to do?

4.What would your life look like if you took action today?

5.What is stopping you?

6.What action plan are you willing to do to put your passion into a reality in your life?

7. Who is a mentor that inspires

pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com

you to follow that you can learn from their journey?

8. What steps can you take to implement some of the things that they are doing into your Life Purpose Plan?

I am hoping the questions above have given you some food for thought and you’re starting to have some new ideas or your old dreams are stirring within yourself. I believe that fear can be a beast that stops so many of us for actually taking a chance on ourselves or an opportunity that we have.

Why do we make a choice to play it safe? That is so monotonous, so average and usually not much of getting much back of anything other than a hum drum life. Again let’s band together as the “Happy Vibe Tribe,” that we are, start a movement of people doing, instead of doing nothing. One baby step at a time and I believe we can all sculpt beautiful dynamic lives; we just have to let go a bit and take a risk and go for it.

BELIEVE in yourself, make a plan then make a plan to work that plan. Get organized, figure out what it is you have, as far as money, skills, time, something to trade. Now know where you need to go to get the help and seek out those who do have the skills to help you.

It is all very doable; you just have to take a big gulp and do it. You got this, remember you are a winner and fabulous!

Homework: Take a blank sheet of paper and answer the questions above. Decide what it is that you want to achieve. Set a 90-day deadline on one goal. Make a plan execute it and then get to work/fun in doing it.

“You have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way can illuminate the world.” Oprah Winfrey

Endocrinology!

A

couple of years ago, a very polite, soft-spoken man came to my office door and introduced himself. “I am Dr. Roberto Gutierrez and I would like to talk to you for a few minutes, if you have time. I have just moved here.” He had on a suit and a tie. I invited him in and asked what his specialty was. He said endocrinology. I said “HALLELUJAH!” I had been hoping for someone just like him. I actually think I scared him with my enthusiasm. The rest is history as he has fast become a very popular physician with diabetic and thyroid disease patients.

What is an Endocrinologist? This is a physician who diagnoses and treats diseases related to “glands” (hormonal diseases) often extending to other parts of the body. An endocrinologist is a specialist who has thoroughly studied hormonal conditions and knows the best possible treatments, even when conventional treatments do not work well. This can include metabolic disorders, thyroid disorders and fertility.

We added to our list of monthly screening clinics a Thyroid clinic which has become hugely successful.

One of the aspects that I find invaluable with Dr. Gutierrez is that he is always so very willing to work in conjunction with the patients other physicians, coordinating studies and medications. This is so very important so that everyone is “on the same page” in the overall treatment of the patient. With diabetes being so very prevalent, having Dr. Gutierrez as our “go-to” practioner is such a gift! I can contact him for everything from a tourist looking for specific medications to reviewing our osteoporosis patients and making recommendations.

Dr. Gutierrez is from Zacatecas.

He attended medical school at the

University of Guadalajara and has specialty degrees in both Endocrinology and Internal Medicine.

He is also a member of the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology). For an appointment or further information, you are welcome to contact me. Oh, the only advice I gave him on the day that we met? Lose the tie!

How is it possible that it is nearly the end of August? What happened to “low season”? I believe those are now things of the past. It is time to begin the prep work involved for fall and winter!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and as in the past, we will have our stellar Pink Cocktail along with several other events scattered throughout the month at various locations. I am putting the request out now for some assistance in making pink ribbons. I need 100’s! I will provide the materials. If you are able and have a bit of time, please let me know.

And just wait and see what we have planned for November this year! Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with a “Kermés” (do you know what that is? You will have to wait and find out!) – It will include games, prizes, patient education and even beer! And we will need some volunteers for that too!

Medical Matters is in February and my appeal for volunteers for that will be going out soon. I have an ongoing need for our Canica’s Kids (Kids with Cancer) and the hygiene packages for Regional Hospital. So, if you have a little spare time now and then and would like to assist, please let me know. I would be grateful with a capital G! Here’s to a very gratifying week!

local

10

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Two Expats in Mexico

My Fitness Journey Katy Saunders

Paul Kurtzweil

My name is Katy Saunders, I’m a certified personal trainer. My journey to become healthy and fit has been nothing less than an amazing life changing journey. I want to share with you that it is never too late to begin living a life of health, infinite happiness and well-being; just commit to starting. Remember, stay healthy, stay happy, stay fit!

Paul Kurtzweil (Q-Roo Paul) is a former lieutenant from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. During his 25-year career, he received numerous commendations to include two of the agency’s top honors: a Meritorious Service Medal and a Medal of Valor. In 2015, Paul retired and moved to Mexico with his wife. He now spends his day’s blogging from the beach.

Five to Fit!

Is It Safe to Live in Mexico?

tksaund@gmail.com

Y

ou say an exhausting workout in the gym isn’t for you? Let’s face it, an hour at the gym is really three, by the time you get yourself there and back shower, change, do your hair and make-up, quench your thirst and hunger, and sit down to rest for five minutes. Let me make this way easier.

If not just for the guilt of missing a day, doing a few simple exercises from home or on the road can get you more energy throughout your day, keep your muscles ready for your next time at the gym keep your routine consistent, and help you prevent illness and injury.

Five simple exercises are all you need for five minutes a day to help you lose weight and look and feel your best.

You say, “Sure, what’s the catch?” There’s no catch! Do this simple routine five days per week, and I promise you will drastically improve your overall energy, focus, health, physique and well-being.

If you’re like me and you love the social aspect of hitting the gym, keep doing just that. Use this workout on the days you’re short on time, and you’ll never miss a day!

Let get started...Exercise Numero Uno (#1): Jumping Jacks - To elevate your heart rate and warm up your muscles, preparing them for exercise. Do one minute of jumping jacks, or counting, do 50 jumps.

Exercise Numero Dos (#2): Squats - These can be as easy or as difficult as you make them.

To get the maximum benefit from these suckers, bend until your butt touches your ankles, otherwise make sure you’re getting at least parallel to the ground, and do them in slow motion. 1 minute or 20 squats.

Exercise Numero Tres (#3): Push-ups – The best way to

www.qroo.us

perform these is from the toes.

You can modify by starting at the knees and push up from the chest.

Increase your intensity by going through the motion slowly, then increase the difficulty by pushing off one leg. If you’re starting out, try doing them on the wall and progress to a bench before hitting the floor.

Exercise Numero Cuatro (#4): Lunges – Standing in one spot bending one leg while stepping forward and keep the other back and alternate. I like to walk forwards with stepping lunges.

You can use a chair or bench to step up onto. Add weights to your ankles, a barbell or dumbbells for resistance.

Exercise Numero Cinco (#5): Mountain Climbers – One of the best-known exercises to target lower abdomen.

This will help you strengthen stomach muscles and burn calories. Increase difficulty by starting slow and increasing your pace.

If you want to specifically target abdomen, start off doing these, and finish with Jumping Jacks instead.

Do each of these for one minute, for a total five minutes, five days a week. Consistency will help you to build balance, endurance and resistance. Once you’re stronger you can increase the difficulty of each exercise.

Miss a day? Don’t panic, you can make up for it on a rest day.

When you think about skipping, think about this: Bursts of quick interval training can be more effective than spending one hour training a particular muscle group, due to the high intensity nature of the workout, and calories will burned in a shorter time period.

So what are you waiting for?

Find me on Facebook @ Fitness Etc! Stay happy! Stay healthy! Stay fit!! See you on the fit side.

I

receive at least one or two emails a day asking me about crime and/or safety in Mexico.

The interesting thing is that the emails rarely ask about a particular city or town; rather, they are asking if the nation as a whole is safe. That question always makes me shake my head a bit because if we turned the tables and I asked them if it was safe to live in the United States, the likely response would be something similar to, “Depends on which part you’re talking about.”

Well, the same thing goes for Mexico.

Cartel Violence When most people are asking me about safety, they are generally referring to the cartel violence that makes international headlines. The majority of these incidents occur in small number of Mexican states.

If you want to quickly identify dangerous areas of Mexico, I recommend referring to the U.S. Department of State’s website.

It contains up-to-date travel advisories.

Where We Live It’s important to note that Mexico is a very large country. In fact, it’s ranked #14 in size out of 196 countries in the world. We live

in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which is more than 1,000 miles away from the majority of the hotbeds for cartel violence. To put it in perspective, that would be similar to the distance between Orlando and New York City.

Ed. note: Equally, Puerto Vallarta is a 1,000 kms or more from the most active cartel areas.

Population When you see a headline, or more often than not a Facebook post, about a homicide or incident in a particular area of Mexico, take a moment to look up the population for that particular area before deciding to panic and cancel your trip as a result.

Here is an example, one reader wrote me and said that she was going to cancel her trip to Cancun because she read that two known gang members were found dead.

Of course, the headline sensationalized the incident by using the buzz word cartel.

Cancun has an estimated population of around 722,000 people. To put it in perspective, that is a higher population than the following U.S. cities: Detroit (672,795), Washington DC (681,170), Seattle (704,352) and Memphis (652,717).

So, you have to ask yourself: Would the murder of gang members in those cities make international news or cause tourists to cancel their vacations

there? My guess is, probably not.

Beware of Media Bias Lately, the media has been focused heavily on the Mexican state of Quintana Roo which includes the tourist areas of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos and Tulum.

The state is fairy large and it takes a little over five hours to drive from the northern tip (Chiquila) to the capital in the south (Chetumal), News outlets across the U.S. have been reporting that there is an increase in violence between criminal organizations. They also reported that 131 people have been killed in Quintana Roo this year. Of course, not all of these deaths were related to organized crime. Some were the result of arguments between people or domestic disputes. Nevertheless, the statistic sounds scary to some people back home. Maybe some tourists would feel more comfortable visiting Central Florida, the home of multiple tourist attractions and theme parks.

Oh by the way, the Central Florida area has had 123 homicides this year — most died as a result of gunfire. Funny how that statistic didn’t make international news.

Prior to becoming a blogger, I was a deputy sheriff for 25 years in a busy jurisdiction in Florida and retired at the rank of lieutenant. After a career spent facing dangerous situations and people, I wanted to find a safe place for my wife and I to retire. I definitely found it here in Mexico.

The recent increase in violence between criminal organizations hasn’t changed that.

This area is still safer than many parts of the United States. In fact, I feel much safer here than I did living in Florida. That’s saying a lot considering that I used to carry a concealed firearm with me everywhere and no longer do.

11

cuisine

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

La Cocina

James Nash A believer that a simple, flavourful meal shared with friends is one of our life’s true joys, a local resident of Vallarta, James (aka Jimmy) shares his knowledge and passion for the culinary arts, local architecture and real estate. Follow him on twitter @JamesNashPV

Introducing the Jalapeño

Flavorful and ready to use.

T

he word cocina is one of those perfect Spanish words that encompass the culinary arts as well as your home kitchen and cooking. Few words have as much meaning and love in Mexico as La Cocina as it is from this part of the home that a family’s traditions are often born and nurtured. For me, the word cocina holds deep meaning, because my early careers centred on being a chef and later a purveyor of gourmet groceries.

As a long-term resident of Vallarta, the change in type and quality of restaurants and our ability to source a vastly more diverse set of ingredients is incredible. One of the most consistent parts of living here, however, is that so much of the food we use day-to-day is utterly fresh and flavourful.

In this column, we will focus on food and lifestyle. Some weeks the focus will be solely on better understanding the foods that are unique to this region.

But as the word cocina itself is diverse and not limited to only one part of the kitchen, we will also feature local chefs, local producers, and even some local shops so you can find that perfect paella pan!

Today let’s talk about something so simple we often pass it by with barely a second glance; the jalapeño and its various incarnations, including the ripened red huachinango and the smoked and canned chipotle.

One of the most frustrating things about using these peppers is that they have very inconsistent heat levels.

The technical term for measuring the heat of peppers is Scoville units, and the tricky jalapeño can range from 2500 to 10,000 which is still very mild compared to the habanero, which starts at 100,000 and goes up from there depending on variety.

Using a hot grill plate the peppers will be charred in 15 minutes The good news is that if you love using them in your day-to-day cooking, there are some things you can do to get a more consistent flavour and heat.

First off, when buying fresh green jalapeños you should look for ones that are medium in size and have no brown lines or scarring.

These marks mean that the pepper grew in a very hot temperature and the more scarred, the hotter it will be.

Once you have picked your perfect peppers, you can simply chop them up and discard the seeds. Using them this way is the most common, but I highly recommend giving them a nice blackened char on the outside and storing them in oil in your fridge.

You can blacken peppers very quickly by simply tossing them lightly in your preferred cooking oil, I use a canola blend for this and adding a little salt to them.

Once coated you can grill, oven roast or cook in a pan on top of your oven. The goal is the same, give them a lightly blackened outside and then set them aside to cool in a covered bowl for about 30 minutes.

I like to have some roasted garlic around for salads or just to use, so I will often roast my garlic and jalapeños on the same day and store in the fridge to use later.

Once the peppers are cooled, place them in a container and add enough oil to coat them.

You can leave the charred skin on and remove it, along with the

Jalapeños Who knew?!

• The average person in Mexico consumes fifteen kilograms of jalapeños per year!

• In 2016, Mexico produced approximately 620,000 tons of jalapeños • Jalapeños represent thirty percent of all peppers grown in Mexico • The Señorita is a variety of jalapeño • The cuisine of the Yucatan forgoes the jalapeño in favor of the xcatic and habanero peppers Lightly oiled, salted and ready for roasting seeds when you go to use the peppers later.

This simple preparation will give you the flavour you love from these peppers but substantially reduce the heat level.

If you find the ripened red jalapeño, which is called the huachinango, you can follow the same steps, but keep in mind that once ripened the heat level goes up, so even after the roasting process you will have a much spicier pepper.

The flavor of the smoked red jalapeño we all know as the chipotle is unique and intense and we will talk more about it when we cover the other most commonly used peppers here in Jalisco: serrano, poblano, and the habanero.

For now, Buen Provecho!

Remove from the grill and let cool before storing in the fridge

NOW OPEN IN VALLARTA

Use Your Existing Health Insurance in Mexico No enrollment fees No deductibles No out-of pocket expenses

COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE

MANAGED CARE MEDICAL GROUP Accepting over 350 US and International insurance policies, Lake Medical Group offers the most comprehensive care for your insurance policy. No more out of pocket expenses. We handle all the billing between providers and insurance agencies directly, with no additional fees.

Accepting: Aetna, Humana, Tricare, VA, Medical Advantage, Bluecross, United Health Care, State Farm, Rocky Mountain Health Plan, Premera Blue Cross, Mutual of Omaha, IMR, and 335 more plans!

PRIMARY CARE SPECIALISTS HOSPITALS LABORATORIES DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS OUT-PATIENT FACILITIES AND PHARMACIES

Lake Medical Group Avenida Los Tules 116, Puerto Vallarta Carretera Hidalgo 224, Ajijic

Tel 01 800 681 9396 / 322 293 1553 www.lakemedicalgroup.com

14

art & cuture

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Creative

hands of Mexico Leigh Thelmadatter

osomadre@hotmail.com

Leigh Thelmadatter is a profesor at Tec de Monterrey, Mexico City, Wikipedian, and semi-professional researcher on Mexican handcrafts and folk arts. She has a blog called Creative Hands of Mexico and is working on a book on Mexican paper maché.

Earth, bright colors and shape-shifters

T

he Vazquez family is one of Tonalá best-known families of traditional potters, specializing in barro brunido, but that does not mean that they shun innovation.

The best-known family member now is award-winning potter, Arnulfo Vazquez, but the story begins with his paternal grandmother, Encarnación Carmon. She began making traditional barro brunido, focusing on traditional utilitarian pieces, but she did put significant effort in the making and decoration of her pieces, making them and the family name stand out in the market. Vazquez’s father, Salvador Vazquez, continued his mother’s work. But it has been Arnulfo who has made the pottery nationally and internationally known.

Vazquez’s began working with his father when he was about seven year old, learning all aspects of the craft, including even the digging of clay and determining its quality. To date, the maestro has accumulated around 40 years of experience.

Vazquez pottery is mostly traditional but does have several unique features. Tradition mostly resides in the clay and how it is worked. Like the generations before him, all clay is mind locally, and Vazquez knows very well which mines produce the clay he looks for.

There are two main types “barro blando,” which is a whitish color and “barro tieso” which is black. The two are mixed in certain proportions to take advantage of the properties each has. The shaping and firing of the clay has not changed much since his grandmother’s time, which the process still very individual.

But modern times have made a difference. Unlike his father, maestro Arnulfo no longer has to go to the mines himself and load a donkey with the raw material.

He can either use a truck or even pay someone else to mine, clean

and deliver the clays he needs.

He also has some machinery to make the grinding, and sorting of the clay, along with wetting it, much easier. However, the shaping of pieces is done has it was two generations ago.

The Vazquez family specializes in barro brunido, one of the state of Jalisco’s traditional pottery styles.

Its matte shine is not from glaze, but rather from burnishing, much the way indigenous pottery was made. Although other potters take imagery from Jalisco’s myths and legends, none give it such prominence as this workshop.

The hallmark of Vazquez pottery is the appearance of a nagual somewhere on the piece. Naguals are Mesoamerican shape-shifting animals that can do good or harm depending on their personalities and have various incarnations both in pre Hispanic lore as well as a number of Mexican handcrafts.

In more than a few pieces, a nagual appears as a main element, but even when it does not, one is on the piece somewhere, acting as a kind of family signature. The focus on the stories and culture of the Tonala area is important to the Vazquez family, which believe it gives the pieces meaning for buyers and promotes the region’s culture. The importance of the nagual for Arnulfo is such that he has now taken to painting images of naguals on canvas, based on the images he puts on pottery.

While tradition remains important in both technique and design, this does not mean that the pottery is stagnant. In fact, there are nods to both tradition and innovation in the production and often times in a single piece. Purely traditional pieces are made, still using traditional earth pigments… which produce colors such as black, red, white, terracotta and sometimes pink.

But the use of commercial pigments has introduced brighter and new colors, especially blue and

green. The main drive in the use of these new colors comes from the markets, particularly from younger buyers who prefer the brighter, stronger look. Vazquez considers it part of the natural evolution of the craft, comparing it with new models of cars. The newer color schemes seem to be taking over the Vazquez production, but Arnulfo states that there is still a strong market for traditional pieces, especially from older and more conservative buyers.

Many of the basic forms are traditional, with plates and bowls dominating along with large covered jars called tibores. None of the pieces in the home/workshop were utilitarian, all were decorative.

Almost all were medium to largesized but the maestro says he creates pieces of all sizes. Arnulfo has done many custom pieces up to tibors 2.2 meters tall. He has also done tile murals, including a 4x3 metre mural which is located in Ajijic, Jalisco.

As a business, the workshop

has had its ups and downs as demand fluxuates. On the plus side, the workshop is well enough known that many of the clients come to him either visiting or through the Internet. Many are from the United States and some from Europe.

Currently another advantage is the very strong dollar, which make his pieces more affordable to foreign markets. But price is not the basis of his market; quality of design and execution are. As upper-end handcrafts are a niche market, Vazquez depends much on his and the family’s reputation, one that is mostly spread through word-of-mouth and other forms of recommendation.

To this end, Vazquez family work can be seen in various museums and other important collections in Mexico and the United States such as the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City, various museums in Guadalajara, the Banamex folk art collections and several museums in the United States.

Arnulfo personally has over 60 prizes and other recognitions

including the Galardon Nacional of Folk Art in 2015 and the National Prize of Arts and Sciences, Folk Art Category awarded by then President Vicente Fox. Arnulfo’s son Jaime Eduardo is the fourth generation to take up the craft, following family tradition, but developing his own mark as well. This is significant in an age when it is becoming harder to pass on handcraft tradition to younger generations, especially in this rapidly urbanizing town outside of Guadalajara proper.

Despite this, maestro Arnulfo remains optimistic of barro brunido’s future, being highly active in local efforts to promote traditional Jalisco pottery, especially in schools to give students pride in their heritage. Despite his own training being so family-oriented, stating several times that pottery “is in his blood,” he is also active in training young people from Tonala, whether or not they are from families involved in pottery or any other kind of handcraft.

expat

15

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

On the Road in Mexico Chuck Bolotin

Chuck.bolotin.writer@ bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com

Chuck Bolotin is the Vice President of Best Places in the World to Retire and he had never tried living outside of the US... until now.

Follow the journey of Chuck and his wife, as they take their large, overstuffed, white van from Los Angeles through Mexico for a year long road trip.

Traveling by Ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan

E

ven though we thoroughly enjoyed our six-plus weeks in Baja (my wife wanted to buy some land there immediately), it was time for us to move on to experience new things. The desert and relative isolation we enjoyed as newbies in Baja would have to be gently placed into the past as we ventured forward to new experiences, also in places we had never been-- the jungles and more populated areas of mainland Mexico.

If you’re driving, there are two ways to get from Baja California Sur to the mainland of Mexico: turn around and drive north almost all the way back to the border, or take the ferry. Even though we would have enjoyed the trip back, we opted for the ferry.

Mainly because of our two dogs, we had done a lot of planning before taking the ferry. The ship would leave La Paz at 8 at night and arrive in Mazatlan around 8 AM the next morning. Total miles traveled would be around 260. The charge for my wife and I was the equivalent of around US $60 each. A vehicle of up to 19’6” (which is exactly what our van is; I measured twice) would be the equivalent of about US $145. (The reason I measured twice is that, for a vehicle even one inch over 19’6”, the price jumps to about US $480.) We could either chose a stateroom for about $42, or we could sleep wherever we could find a place.

Given that the stateroom came with its own private shower, beds, bathroom (and the low price), it wasn’t a close call: we chose the stateroom. There was no charge for one of our dogs and I forgot

how much the other cost us, but it wasn’t much. So, the total cost for a nice cruise in the Sea of Cortez for two adults, two dogs, a vehicle no greater than 19’6”, and a stateroom for a 12-hour journey would be a grand total of around $315. To my way of thinking, it was a great deal. They even gave us meal tickets included in the price.

Each of our two dogs would have to spend the entire trip in their own kennel, which we had to buy specifically for this purpose. (You can’t rent them. I tried.)

I bought the ticket for the standard length vehicle at the standard price (once again, following my rule about asking for forgiveness), and examined our van for any signs that it would appear to be larger than 19’6”. All that I could think of was to remove a side step that was bolted on before we purchased the van in order to help people in. We had

never used the step, so in order to make the van seem less commercial, I took it off.

We arrived at about 6:30 PM on a weekday and found zero waiting.

They weighed our van (quite heavy), and charged us a small surcharge. I didn’t see anyone with a tape measure, which was a relief.

Then, they waved us through.

I felt $335 richer.

Life was good.

Next challenge: figuring out what the heck to do, which is confusing in a port area with two people and two dogs in any language.

I’ll spare you the details, but it turns out that after getting all the paperwork straight at the office, my wife (with her rollaway bag that she discovered no longer rolled) had to go to a waiting area to pass inspection and later to board with the passengers who were not driving vehicles. Later, she would have to

take a shuttle to the ship. For my part, I drove our very heavy and fully loaded van with two squished dogs and two dissembled kennels towards the ship.

If you’ve never been to the hold of a ship, I can report to you that it’s pretty hot. And, with dozens of trucks alternatively backing in and driving into position and of course there being no windows, the diesel smell and effects are pretty strong. I put the two kennels in place so they faced one another, got our dogs, and introduced them to where they would be staying for the next 12+ hours. Our dogs’ kennels were on a narrow passageway with five other dogs, each in their own kennel, lined up single file, all of them quiet and seemingly content in an air conditioned part of the ship with food and water for the journey in their snug sleeping quarters.

Everything on the transit performed like clockwork. The ship looked new and was immaculately clean. Everything worked. The shower was great. The views from the deck as we got underway at sunset were beautiful, as on the right we could view from the sea those beaches we had enjoyed so much from the sand.

Dinner was served in a large dining room, where we stood in line, cafeteria style, to choose our main dish. Dessert and drinks were extra. There was even a duo (who were pretty good) to entertain us.

I tried getting Jet a glass of wine but the bottle had a dry cork, so we settled for a beer between us. Cost for the beer: about a dollar.

There were lots of families, many of which did not have a stateroom and instead brought

their own bedding, pillows and comforters to sleep on the deck or in the lounge area. Then, as night fell, with Baja in our wake behind us, we were at sea.

Jet had taken a Dramamine to quell sea sickness but she could not sleep because the ship rocked too much for her. As for me, I slept fine.

As the dawn approached, from the deck, we could see the outline of the shore north of Mazatlan, framed in a red sky. Broad, flat areas were interspersed by mountainous outcroppings and buildings so tall and so relatively isolated, that you can make them out even from the distance of the ferry.

To say our dogs were happy to see us would be a very big understatement. Very happily and with great energy into the van they went, to await my kennel disassembly, and then to be squished again, but in a very welcomed and familiar environment.

Jet had to wait in another line and go down many flights of narrow and steep stairs (Jet recommends not to wear heels) to get to the hold of the ship. Once there, she was helped by ship workers who offered to carry her non-rolling rolling luggage twice: once, after the stairs, through the cargo area, and the other time, from the dock to the exits; help that she very much appreciated. She spotted me because of our tall van, across the street in another parking lot, and walked to us.

As I drove our van out of the hold and past the guard gate, our tires rolled for the first time on mainland Mexican pavement. We were in Mazatlan, and ready to drive to our next home.

riviera nayarit

16

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Nuevo Vallarta – Everything you need for your next vacation

N

estled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra de Vallejo mountains, Nuevo Vallarta, one of the most visited beach destinations of Mexico, brings together luxury and the abundance of nature to offer each visitor an escape from the everyday with excellent hospitality, comfort and entertainment.

This entryway into the Riviera Nayarit also has the second highest number of hotels in the country, with a first class infrastructure easily seen in the impeccable golf courses, luxurious condominiums, exclusive restaurants and two of the country’s most important marinas.

Nuevo Vallarta is a lively destination with its five-kilometer (three-mile) shoreline of golden beaches and turquoise-blue ocean as well as the various activities offered in this unbeatable climate. And of course, there is no better way to enjoy the late afternoon than by taking in a breathtaking sunset accompanied by the crashing waves.

Resorts and Developments A destination with notable real estate developments, whether set beachside, among beautiful trees or near exclusive golf clubs, Nuevo Vallarta is an irresistible invitation to establish this tropical paradise as your home away from home.

The hotels and resorts of Nuevo Vallarta are listed among the most exclusive and luxurious of beach destinations on an international scale. Some of these first class establishments have received the Five Diamond distinction, awarded by the American Automobile Association (AAA) to hotels that offer the finest and most luxurious of lodging, ambiance and hospitality. Hanging gardens, endless pools that visually meld into the ocean and luxurious suites are just some of the tempting delights tucked away in these buildings

with elegant architecture and surrounded by the natural wonders of the tropics and the beauty of the Pacific coast.

Fine Dining and Entertainment Nuevo Vallarta is also home to the most exclusive restaurants of the Riviera Nayarit —most of which are located inside hotel complexes—with menus offering everything from the intense tastes of Mexican and regional cuisine to a la carte gourmet delicacies that guarantee a unique culinary experience and are sure to please even the most demanding of palates.

Some of the restaurants participate in the renowned International Gourmet Festival, and the delectable dishes served are as varied as the intricate flavors of Italian, Mediterranean, French and Asian cuisine themselves. Among the restaurants to receive international praise for their excellent creations and service is Piaf, named a Michelin restaurant and located inside the Grand Velas Hotel.

Nuevo Vallarta is blessed with an impressive variety of options that will leave even the most knowledgeable of connoisseurs content.

The hotels and resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, in addition to luxury and comfort, also offer a variety of recreational activities for visitors to

enjoy their stay to the fullest.

Options include beach sports, golf, scuba diving, surfing, yoga classes, gym equipment and sports fields and courts.

Relaxing Spa Treatments Also worthy of praise are the sophisticated spas where you can enjoy revitalizing treatments for mind, body and spirit such as hydrotherapy, sauna treatments, and hydro-reflexology, among others.

These spas have also received important recognition for their world-class quality.

If you are of an adventurous spirit, in most hotels you will find tour packages that will take you by boat down one of the nearby canals surrounded by white mangroves where you can admire the region’s variety of wild flora and fauna.

Romance in the air And what can be more romantic than declaring your everlasting love on the ocean shore? With its impressive natural scenery and exceptional infrastructure, Nuevo Vallarta is the ideal place for couples that wish to enter into marriage or enjoy a luxurious honeymoon. With these guests in mind, most hotels offer package deals to ensure the perfect organization of this important ceremony.

The happy couple can choose to celebrate their union in a beautiful garden, an elegant ballroom or along the seashore with their loved ones looking on. The main event will then be followed by an exquisite reception.

World-class Golf Impeccable and surrounded by beautiful natural wonders, the golf courses of Nuevo Vallarta are yet another stunning attraction.

Named among the most challenging of Mexico, the El Tigre course opened its doors in 2002 to offer its visitors one of this game’s most exhilarating experiences.

After passing under the stone portico and admiring the impressive Bengal tigers housed in a secure habitat enclosure, you will delight in practicing your swing at

this enchanting course.

El Tigre was designed by Texan Robert von Hagge, and is comprised of 18 holes, par 72 with 144 sand traps distributed over 7,329 yards of Bermuda 419-covered terrain. It is a course that also includes nine artificial lakes, challenging for even the most experienced of golfers.

The par-three sixth hole is a marvelous treat as it is comprised of a green inside a Scottish pot bunker on an island, a true challenge.

Open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, this course also has an exclusive 45,000-squarefoot Spanish-style clubhouse complete with an exclusive restaurant, lockers, a break room, boutiques and a spa.

XXII National Dolphin Progr

T

he conference will take place at the close of the XXII National Summer Conference for Scientific and Technological Research in the Pacific 2017; 2,500 students are expected to participate, with Canada as the guest country The Riviera Nayarit will once again host the Dolphin Program’s XXII National Scientific and Tech-

nological Research Conference, which will take place from August 16-19, 2017 at the Riu hotels in Flamingos. Canada is invited as the guest country.

The conference begins at the close of the XXII National Summer Conference for Scientific and Technological Research in the Pacific 2017, stemming from the Pacific Inter-Institutional Program

riviera nayarit

17

Sailboats and Yachts Nuevo Vallarta is home to two of the most important marinas in the country: Nuevo Vallarta Marina and Paradise Village Marina, which can accommodate close to 500 vessels and offer numerous services such as drinking water, security, pump out stations, concierge…in short, everything you need to enjoy a pleasant stay in this tropical paradise.

Adventurous visitors can admire an important variety of flora and fauna of the region such as white herons, iguanas and a variety of fish species.

When touring the piers, you can observe beautiful ships displaying

flags from remote countries and foreign sailors milling about. These visitors have discovered this paradise, and deemed it one of the most glorious of destinations on their globetrotting itinerary.

Abundance of nature The natural wealth of Nuevo Vallarta is one of its most appealing treasures. With a warm, sub-humid tropical climate, Nuevo Vallarta is located where the fresh water of the Ameca River meets the salty waves of the Pacific, thus providing the ideal environment for a variety of bird species such as herons, ducks, pelicans and seagulls as well as numerous

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

impressive reptiles that choose to make this their home.

With the Sierra de Vallejo —inhabited by the jaguar and belonging to the State Biosphere Reserve— as another natural boundary of the area of Nuevo Vallarta, a variety of mangrove swamps and more than a dozen navigable canals are found in the region.

These natural wonders allow tourists to appreciate the local beauty of nature up close.

And as if that weren’t enough, true nature lovers will rejoice with the arrival year after year of hawksbill, Olive Ridley and

leatherback turtles on the shores of Nuevo Vallarta.

These incredible animals come to these golden sands to lay their eggs and in turn, preserve their species.

For this reason, a turtle sanctuary has been established to guarantee protection for these turtles and their young from the dangers that they may encounter on their way back to the ocean.

Stunning sunsets, every night And as the sun sinks below the horizon and paints the skies with luminous tones of orange, pink and purple, the festive nightlife calls to those visitors eager to

continue their adventures in one of the exclusive bars and restaurants located in area hotels or fashionable independent establishments.

Dance to the rhythms of Latin classics or pop music as you sip a delicious drink or enjoy friendly conversation with your friends and family.

There is something for everyone. And if a party atmosphere is not your choice for the evening, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the beach as you take in a breathtaking sunset and the intensely shining stars, the best way to conclude your day filled with sun, sand, waves and lots of fun!

lation of scientific and technological products.

The organizers have chosen Riviera Nayarit as the location for the conference for the past 15 years thanks to its infrastructure and connectivity, which allows thousands of students from at least 25 states in Mexico to travel here and present results of their academic work.

He added that, to date, there are 2,540 students registered from 80 schools; together they will present 1,800 projects.

They expect an additional 300 participants including advisors, teachers and heads of schools.

Finally he underlined the growing interest in scientific investigation on behalf of the students, especially if you consider that, in

1996—the year the first Summer of Scientific Research—there were only 17 students registered, and now, 22 years later, they received 8,300 applications.

“That’s how we gauge interest and the culture of mobility for the research, plus it allows us to say we have inspired a marked enthusiasm among student researchers.”

ram Conference 2017 for the Strengthening of Research and Graduate Programs, which took place from June 19 through August 4 of this year with 6,600 registered students.

The Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit (UAN or Autonomous University of Nayarit) is in charge of general coordination, with Professor Carlos Humberto Jiménez as lead coordinator

together with a group of technical consultants.

Professor Jiménez González stated the Dolphin Program is focused on strengthening the culture of collaboration between institutions of higher education and the research centers that form part of the program via the exchange of professors-researchers and students and the circu-

riviera nayarit

18

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

The Riviera Nayarit’s Top Ten Hidden Treasures

F

ishing villages; golden sand beaches surrounded by exuberant jungle; mangroves brimming with wildlife; lush hideaways; local legends… These are only some of the many hidden treasures of the Riviera Nayarit. It isn’t a coincidence that it’s known as Mexico’s Pacific Treasure, because its more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) of coastline is dotted with precious gems, some already shining bright, and others, still hidden, lying in wait to be discovered.

If there’s one thing that sets these villages and beaches apart it’s their natural environment and air of innocence—perfectly pleasing for travelers seeking peace and calm.

And so we embark on a tour of the coast of Nayarit in search of those “hidden treasures,” finding for the visitor ten alternatives for their vacation—because there’s no doubt the best way to live life is to go out and explore it!

Lo de Marcos This micro-destination nestled in Bahía de Bandera, has the feel of a typical Mexican village at the edge of the sea: quiet, narrow streets, flowering shade trees and colorful façades. Some people describe it as a “tiny paradise” after they visit the beaches at Los Venados, Las Minitas, El Atracadero and Lo de Marcos, surrounded by green mountains and rocky outcrops that have kept the outside world at bay. Visitors can stay in an eco-retreat, bungalows, villas, comfortable hotel rooms or a full-service trailer park.

Chacala This town is suffused with a friendly ambiance and a community spirit. Families, friends and couples really enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this micro-destination nestled in Compostela. The main beaches are Las Cuevas, Chacalilla and Caleta; the first one is the most popular and it’s common to see visitors enjoying the sun or a delicious pescado zarandeado in one of the palapas that line the sand. Close to town is Mar de Jade, a center for yoga, retreats, wellness and rest, which gives guests and groups an authentic, peaceful and renewing getaway.

Los Ayala The village of Los Ayala and its charming beach are part of the Rincón de Guayabitos-Peñita de Jaltemba tourism corridor. It’s an excellent place to fully enjoy

Lo de Marcos

nature: a vast expanse of soft, golden sand fringed by the quiet waves of an emerald sea. On the southern end of the beach there’s a rocky outcrop and the beaches of Frideras, Frideritas (also known as the Playa del Beso, or Kissing Beach) and El Toro—they can be reached after walking up a short but steep path through the jungle or even by boat from the beach at Los Ayala. This tiny, contained town has developed an extensive variety of accommodations for its visitors including cozy hotels and bungalows with all the amenities for a comfortable stay.

Platanitos Tucked away in a corner of paradise in the municipality of Compostela, Platanitos stands out for its exuberant jungle and beaches, which give it a rustic air that’s ideal for those who love to be in touch with nature. It has a large mangrove that serves as the nesting ground for a variety of birds and reptiles, and a beautiful, calm beach—400 meters

long by 15 wide (1,312 feet long by 50 wide)—with warm bluegreen waters. The beach is lined with restaurants that offer seafood dishes along with the traditional pescado zarandeado. One of the novelties is the “Hummingbird Garden,” a sanctuary for these birds and part of a holistic project that encourages the community both to conserve the area’s biodiversity and to create new tourism products.

Santa Cruz de Miramar This fishing village is a true undiscovered gem just half an hour south of the port of San Blas. Besides its incredible natural beauty, Santa Cruz de Miramar is full of legends: it has witnessed several events that have left their mark on the local inhabitants, who are closely linked to the German culture that was established here in the mid-19th century, attracted by the beer company in Mazatlan.

As if that weren’t enough, Miramar boasts some of the best waves in this coastal town, with incredible

scenery that includes ponds brimming with exotic birds, freshwater streams and the curiously shaped La Campana, or Bell Rock, right across from its cliffs.

Playa Las Tortugas Playa Las Tortugas is quiet and calm—a small sanctuary filled with wildlife in the heart of the Riviera Nayarit. It’s located across from an old coconut plantation with 8 kilometers (5 miles) of soft white sand, and serves as a refuge for hundreds of species of birds and reptiles. It owes its name to the fact that its nearly virgin beach is where different species of sea turtles come to lay their eggs every year. It’s also the perfect spot for ecotourism lovers and summer visitors eager to enjoy untouched, beautiful surroundings.

The rustic restaurants and modest hotels closest to the beach offer all a visitor needs to feel welcome.

Boca de Chila The tropical climate and warm waters are just some of the top attractions in Boca de Chila, a spot that’s positioned as one of the Riviera Nayarit’s most promising destinations.

This micro destination in the municipality of Compostela offers adventurers the opportunity to enjoy an exciting experience and appreciate the local flora and fauna up close and personal, as it’s also a large mangrove area that’s home to diverse aquatic and subaquatic birds. It’s also a place frequented by those in search of good waves. They have also discovered petroglyphs here that are actually on display in Zacualpan,

about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Boca de Chila.

Las Islitas This is an ideal getaway for a relaxing weekend where the water is safe and calm. Nestled in the municipality of San Blas, Las Islitas is one of the most recognized beaches in the area and very memorable for those who visit. Its gentle waves have made it a very safe and comfortable place for those longing for a stress-free vacation. A rocky formation near the shore gives this beautiful beach its name (Las Islitas means “The Islands”) and it’s a favorite of Nayarit’s families. There are typical palapas all along the beach offering a fantastic array of exquisite traditional dishes, prepared with fresh fish and seafood from the area.

Novillero Novillero is the most extensive beach not only in Nayarit, but also in the entire country and the second longest in Latin America. Nestled in the municipality of Tecuala, it extends along nearly 90 kilometers (56 miles) with nearly half a kilometer (a third of a mile) in width, with fine, soft sand that perfectly complements its calm water—visitors can wade in for up to nearly 100 meters (over 110 yards). This beach is full of life, especially on the weekends, when entire families and groups of teens and youths come to enjoy the sunny days. Other nearby natural attractions nearby include El Canal de Cuautla and Laguna Brava; visitors can see them on local boat tours that will also take them through the mangroves, home to an incredible variety of endemic and migratory birds.

Boca de Camichín Boca de Camichín, in the municipality of Santiago Ixcuintla, is a must for tourists interested in finding the most sublime spots of the Mexican Pacific, not to mention its ecological importance as a breeding ground for countless marine birds.

Its location at the mouth of the San Pedro river—a vast stretch of ocean that has created one of the largest estuary and swamp areas in Nayarit—means it’s home to a tremendous amount of shrimp and other marine life including snapper, oysters and sea bass, among many others.

Ecotourism aficionados will also enjoy its abundant vegetation comprised mainly of mangroves and rushes. It also has a pier that’s a base of operations for excursions to Isla Isabel, a well-known national park.

riviera nayarit

19

P

ueblos de pescadores, playas de arena dorada, rodeadas de exuberante selva; manglares llenos de vida silvestre, rincones tropicales, leyendas históricas... Todo eso y más “esconde” la Riviera Nayarit.

Un destino turístico que no por casualidad es conocido como El Tesoro del Pacífico Mexicano, porque a lo largo de sus más de 300 kilómetros de costa hay hermosas joyas, algunas refulgentes y otras más discretas, esperando a ser descubiertas.

Si hay algo que caracteriza a esos pueblos y playas es su ambiente puro, su inocencia silvestre, capaces de satisfacer a los viajeros que buscan paz y tranquilidad.

Es así como nos lanzamos a hacer un recorrido por la costa nayarita, en busca de estos “tesoros escondidos”, y así ofrecer al visitante diez lugares alternativos para vacacionar porque, no cabe duda, la mejor manera de vivir a plenitud es salir y explorar por sí mismo.

Lo de Marcos Lo de Marcos posee la esencia de un pueblo típico mexicano a la orilla del mar: calles angostas y tranquilas, árboles cubiertos de flores y coloridas fachadas.

Algunas personas van más allá y lo describen como “un pequeño paraíso” luego de conocer sus playas Los Venados, Las Minitas, El Atracadero y Lo de Marcos, rodeadas por verdes cerros y caprichosas rocas que contrastan con el intenso azul del cielo y el mar. Lo de Marcos es un tranquilo refugio a donde el bullicio exterior no ha llegado. Un retiro ecológico, bungalows, villas, confortables habitaciones de hotel y un equipado trailer park son las opciones que el visitante tiene para alojarse.

Chacala Un pueblo en el que se respira un ambiente de amabilidad y espíritu de comunidad. Familias, amigos y parejas disfrutan de la tranquila atmósfera de este microdestino enclavado en el municipio de Compostela. Las Cuevas, Chacalilla y Caleta son sus principales playas, aunque la primera es la más popular y donde es común ver a los visitantes disfrutar del sol o saborear un delicioso pescado zarandeado en alguna de las palapas a la orilla del mar. Muy cerca del pueblo se encuentra Mar de Jade, un centro de yoga, retiros, bienestar y descanso, que ofrece a huéspedes y grupos un auténtico ambiente de paz y renovación.

Los Ayala El poblado de Los Ayala y su

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Top 10 Tesoros Escondidos de Riviera Nayarit

encantadora playa son parte del corredor turístico Rincón de Guayabitos-Peñita de Jaltemba. Se trata de un sitio excelente para gozar de la naturaleza: un vasto espacio de arena dorada y suave, con un mar de oleaje tranquilo y aguas color esmeralda. Hacia el extremo sur de la playa, en un montículo rocoso, se encuentran las playas Frideras, Frideritas (también llamada Playa del Beso) y El Toro, a las que se puede llegar por un corto pero empinado sendero a través de la selva, o bien, en una embarcación que se aborda en la misma playa de Los Ayala. Este pequeño poblado cercado ha desarrollado una extensa variedad de hospedaje ofreciendo a sus visitantes opciones como acogedores hoteles y bungalows que brindan todas las comodidades necesarias.

Platanitos Enclavado en un paradisíaco lugar, en el municipio de Compostela, Playa Platanitos sobresale por su exuberante selva y sus playas, que le dan un toque rústico, ideal para los que gustan del contacto con la naturaleza. Con un extenso manglar en el que anida una gran variedad de aves y reptiles, esta villa de pescadores posee una hermosa y apacible playa – con una extensión de 400 metros por 15 metros de ancho- de agua templada y de tonalidad entre el azul y verde. A lo largo de la playa se encuentran restaurantes que ofrecen platillos a base de mariscos y el tradicional pescado zarandeado. Una de las novedades es el llamado “Jardín de Colibríes”, un santuario para estas aves, que es parte de un proyecto integral que impulsa la comunidad

con un doble fin: la conservación de la biodiversidad y la creación de nuevos productos turísticos.

Santa Cruz de Miramar Esta villa de pescadores es toda “una joya” por descubrir, a tan sólo media hora al sur del puerto de San Blas. Además de su inmensa belleza natural, Santa Cruz de Miramar posee una historia llena de leyendas pues ha sido testigo de diversos acontecimientos que han marcado la vida de sus habitantes, quienes han estado muy ligados a la cultura alemana, establecida aquí desde mediados del siglo XIX, atraídos por la compañía cervecera de Mazatlán. Por si fuera poco, en Miramar se encuentran algunas de las mejores olas de este municipio costero, sus increíbles paisajes combinan estanques colmados de aves exóticas, frescos arroyos de agua dulce y la curiosa roca de “La Campana” frente a los acantilados.

Playa Las Tortugas Tranquilidad y silencio prevalecen en el entorno de Playa Las Tortugas, un pequeño santuario de vida silvestre en el corazón de la Riviera Nayarit.

Localizada frente a una vieja plantación de cocoteros con unos 8 kilómetros de arena suave, es el refugio de centenares de especies de aves y reptiles. Debe su nombre a que en su playa, casi virgen, llegan a desovar anualmente diferentes variedades de tortugas marinas. Así mismo, es el lugar perfecto para los aficionados al ecoturismo y para los veraneantes interesados en gozar de ambientes silvestres puros y bellos. Los rústicos restaurantes y modestos hoteles cercanos a esta playa cuentan con todo lo nece-

sario para garantizar el bienestar de los visitantes.

Boca de Chila El clima tropical y sus cálidas aguas son algunos de los grandes atractivos de Boca de Chila, destino que se posiciona como otra de las grandes promesas de la Riviera Nayarit.

Este microdestino ofrece a los aventureros la oportunidad de vivir una experiencia emocionante y apreciar de cerca la flora y fauna de la zona pues es además una zona de manglares en la que habitan diversas aves acuáticas y subacuáticas. Por otro parte, es un sitio frecuentado por los amantes de las olas, en el que se han encontrado también petroglifos que actualmente se exhiben en la población de Zacualpan, que se ubica a 8 kilómetros de Boca de Chila.

Las Islitas El lugar idóneo para un fin de semana relajante, con aguas tranquilas y seguras. Las Islitas es una de las playas más reconocidas, y eternamente recordada por quienes la visitan. Su suave oleaje la convierte en un lugar totalmente seguro y cómodo para cualquiera que desee gozar de unas vacaciones sin estrés.

Una formación de peñascos cercanos a la orilla de la playa le da su nombre a este hermoso balneario, favorito de las familias nayaritas. A lo largo de la playa se encuentran las típicas palapas con una oferta gastronómica de exquisitos platillos tradicionales, preparados con pescado y mariscos frescos de la zona.

Novillero Novillero es la playa más extensa no sólo de Nayarit, sino de

todo el país, y la segunda de Latinoamérica. Se extiende por casi 90 kilómetros de largo y casi medio kilómetro de ancho; de fina arena, es el complemento perfecto para sus tranquilas aguas, que pueden ser caminadas por los visitantes hasta cien metros mar adentro.

Una playa que rebosa de vida, sobre todo los fines de semana, cuando familias completas y grupos de jóvenes y adolescentes se reúnen para convivir. Otros de los atractivos naturales cercanos son El Canal de Cuautla y Laguna Brava, que es posible visitar gracias a los tours en lancha que se ofrecen, con los que también se pueden recorrer los manglares que son hogar de una gran variedad de aves nativas y migratorias.

Boca de Camichín Boca de Camichín es una referencia imperdible para todos los turistas interesados en disfrutar de los rincones más paradisíacos del Pacífico Mexicano, además de tener gran importancia ecológica por ser un centro reproductor de innumerables aves marinas.

Debido a que se localiza en la zona donde desemboca el río San Pedro, -un vasto brazo de mar que forma una de las áreas de esteros y marismas más grandes de Nayarit-, es posible encontrar considerables cantidades de camarón y otras variedades marinas, como el pargo, el ostión y el róbalo, entre muchas más. Así mismo, los aficionados al ecoturismo encuentran un “paraíso” en la generosa vegetación integrada por tule, peyuque y manglares.

Cuenta además con un embarcadero, desde donde parte una excursión a la Isla Isabel, reconocida como parque nacional.

VALLARTA SHOPPING AND SERVICES

FABFABRICFELLOWS Aprons - Pillows Masks - Cooling Ties Three Hens & A Rooster Market V. Carranza 466 Saturdays 9 to 1 Contact Bill Kelly at

unonumerobomb@gmail.com

Pandamonia Boutique Accent Pillows Indoor and Outdoor Fabrics Buy 2 Get 1 Free THIS SATURDAY ONLY Three Hens & A Rooster Market V. Carranza 466 Saturdays 9 to 1 Contact Pat Thunherst Wagner at ptwagner@comcast.net

Sherry Vallarta HOME DE’COR

Personal Shopper

Buy & Sell ~ Anything & Everything

sherryvallarta@yahoo.com 044 322 137 7063

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier Three Hens & A Rooster Market on Saturdays 7

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier Three Hens & A Rooster Market on Saturdays

mexicasupplement@gmail.com Hand-made Mexican Tiles, Talavera, Saltillo, Mosaico

599 Juarez, El Centro, Puerto Vallarta 322 206 2536 sales@colibridesignvallarta.com

English Spoken Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay Real Estate * Trusts * Wills * Inmigration * Civil Criminal Specializing in Immigration.

Real Estate. Condominium Law

Cell. 322 278 6694 felixzaratelawyer@gmail.com

DIGITAL AND PRE-PRESS

PRINTING

For all your printed needs - Business Cards, Brochures, Menus, Flyers, Magazines, Calendars, Invitations, Books and more!

WE CAN PRINT YOUR IDEAS! Service available in English.

Tel. 225 4982 Ext 115 Tr ibuna de la Bahía

www.vallartatribune.com

Three Hens & A Rooster Market News Adorable

Dog In The Spotlight...

GOLDIE

P

illows for poolside, pillows for your bed, pillows to look at and some to sit on – find them at Pat’s Pandemonia Boutique and get one free when you buy two.

Bill Kelly also has pillow covers featuring Roosters (fitting for this Market), fab kitties and delightful Frida’s. And skulls and bones for Day of the Dead; one of Mr Bill’s favourite holidays! Find more designs on aprons and cotton cooling ties!

Mark Hughes has pies and over a dozen different kinds of quiche, individually-sized, made with love and so very delish.

Pair a quiche from Mark with a salad from Gloria Sue – different sizes of potato, coleslaw, cucumber, and tomato; all fresh and ready to go.

Perogies and bagels? Italian sausage and croissants? Coffee and peanut brittle? Dill pickles and pickled beets? Three Hens has those and desserts to eat in or to take home in every flavor, size, shape and colour imaginable.

Always developing new products, Ricardo Mazcal has put

by Janice Gonzalez

G

oldie is a spirted two-year-old Labrador mix just a bit over 37 pounds.

This girl has loads of energy and needs open spaces where she can run and drain her energy. She would be ideal for a physically active family or a home with plenty of room to safely roam and run around. Once she has expended all that energy she is then ready to snuggle down with her humans.

together creams and extracts to combat severe acne and some skin cancers internally and topically.

Tap into Ricardo’s vast knowledge of herbal remedies; you’ll be so thankful you did.

Incredible bargains on shoes, women’s clothing, jewelry, tee shirts and much more.

Three Hens & A Rooster Market is open Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm at Venustiano Carranza 466 in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier

M

any people use the Marsol Friday Market as a place to meet up with friends – before or after the beach, or to go for lunch close by in Olas Altas or just to shop. The Marsol Market is also one of the “South Side Pickup” spots for La Dulce Vida – order your special cakes, fruit/veggie loaves or fresh bread online or by phone then pick them up at the Friday Market before 1:30 pm. It’s a painless way to shop!

Elizabeth and David are always on hand to explain the differences in silver quality to Vallarta’s residents and tourists.

If you need fine jewelry repaired, remember to bring it with you to Market and David will fix it; that includes resizing your rings.

We are expecting Juan Manuel back to Market bringing his wire dragons, birds and other fanciful creatures with him.

And, if you need a refrigerator, microwave or anything connected to gas repaired, talk to Juan Manuel – he is a genius fixing almost anything!

Marcia has introduced some of her Mexican Independence

Day (September 16th) Flairs (feathers for your hair) from a one-centimeter size (imagine this on a baby girl’s head!) and up.

Guys can show their Flairs on a shirt pocket, eyeglasses, on your dog’s leash and the larger

We think she would do great with active teenagers. Goldie is very food motivated so you shouldn’t have trouble with her training.

She is fine with most other dogs but can be selective when choosing her friends. Goldie is not a fan of felines, however. Goldie has been spayed, dewormed and vaccinated. If you are looking for a terrific companion animal for hiking and jogging, this girl is perfect.

Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com for an application.

sizes slip easily onto fingers to be worn as muy flamboyant rings for the occasion!

Viva Mexico!

The Marsol Friday Market by the Pier is open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

By Janice Gonzalez

P

lease spread the word that we now have an excellent full-time, paid position available right here in Puerto Vallarta.

We are looking to employ an Executive Assistant to the Director of the SPCA. We are looking for someone bilingual (Spanish/English) with excellent verbal and written skills.

This individual needs a working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel and Word. The job requires someone who is a selfstarter with good time management skills and the ability to work unsupervised. We need someone who is detail oriented and skilled at problem solving. Compassion for animals is a must!

If you would like to be a part of a team of hard working, loving and compassionate animal advocates, we invite you to send your resume or curriculum vitae to the attention of Janice Chatterton at spcapv@ gmail.com.

The SPCAPV has started a new opportunity for businesses to contribute and become sponsors.

We thank all our sponsors who are dedicated to making a difference. If you are interested in helping, write to clare23leach@gmail.com to

join us. During these hot summer months, we have limited tours of our sanctuary. If you are interested, reservations to visit the sanctuary need to be made in advance. To make a reservation, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com. We appreciate any donations you can bring for our rescues and also please feel free to bring treats for sanctuary staff as they truly appreciate it.

To see our animals available for adoption, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/spcapv.

Go to Photos where you will also find individual Albums for all the animals available as well as a bit of their history. Please be aware that our adoption fee within Mexico is $1,500 pesos.

To make donations via PayPal, select the “Donate” option on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/spcapv or on our website at http://spcapv.com/donate/.

You can drop off any donations for the SPCA at Hacienda San Angel located at Calle Miramar 336, above Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro.

Get involved…rescue, adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or educate.

You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv.com/home or on Facebook.

entertainment

22

By Fred Jacobs hristopher Reeve was born on September 25, 1952 in New York City. His mother was a journalist and his father was a teacher, novelist and scholar. The family was well to do established American family. Family lines dated back to the 1600s and apparently to a Mayflower passenger, and Christopher’s grandfather was the CEO of Prudential Financial for over twenty-five years.

Christopher’s parents divorced when he was only four years old.

He and his younger brother were moved to Princeton, New Jersey with their mother. From early on, Christopher excelled academically, athletically, and onstage. He was on the honor roll and played soccer, baseball, tennis, and hockey, all in hopes of seeking his father’s approval.

Christopher found his passion in 1962 at age nine when he was first cast in an amateur student play.

In 1968, at age fifteen, Christopher was accepted as an apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

The other apprentices were mostly college students, but his older appearance and maturity helped him fit in with the others. The next summer, Christopher was hired at the Harvard Summer Repertory Theater Company in Cambridge for $44 per week.

After graduating from High School in June 1970, Christopher had planned to go to New York City to find a career in theater. However, at the urging of his mother, he applied for college. He was accepted into many schools, but chose Cornell primarily because it is only a three-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City, where he planned to start his career as an actor.

Christopher joined the theater department in Cornell and appeared in many school plays. Late in his freshman year, Christopher received a letter from Stark Hesseltine, a high-powered agent who had discovered Robert Redford and represented actors such as Richard

C

LTURE

CU ART & Pacifico Galeriaewster Br ann Brockm

NE

CUISI Mec: Deux an Europe ce Elegan

onm org

N ALEMA 00 USD CASA 99,0 $1,1

Page 25

Page 22

Feb 2

r 19 7 Yea

- 8, 201

4

ue 103

Free Iss

ne.com

aTribu

FRE EG UID E

Vallart

yarit s of Na 23 Page

Flavor

TION

OP FOR AD DOG ABLE Page 35 ADOR PERTY RED PRO FEATU Page 05

Christopher Reeve American Actor Part 1 – The Early Years Chamberlain, Michael Douglas, and Susan Sarandon. Hesseltine had seen Christopher in a school play and wanted to represent him.

The two met and decided that instead of dropping out of school, Christopher could come to New York once a month to meet casting agents and producers to find work for the summer vacation. That summer, he toured in a production of “Forty Carats”. The next year, he received a full-season contract with the San Diego Shakespeare Festival, with roles as Edward IV in “Richard III”, Fenton in “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at the Old Globe Theatre.

Before his third year of college, Christopher took a three-month leave of absence. He flew to Glasgow and saw theatrical productions throughout the UK. He was inspired by the actors and often had conversations with them in bars after the performances. He helped actors at the Old Vic with their American accents by reading the newspaper aloud for them. He then went to Paris, where he spoke fluent French, having studied it from the third grade until his second year in Cornell. He watched many performances and immersed himself in the culture before finally returning to New York.

After coming back to the U.S. from Europe, Christopher chose to focus solely on acting, although Cornell University had several requirements for graduation that he had yet to complete. He managed to convince the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell, that as a theater major, he would achieve more at Julliard than at Cornell. Cornell agreed that if he was accepted, his first year at Juilliard would be counted as his senior year at Cornell.

In 1973, approximately 2000 students auditioned for twenty places in the freshman class at Juilliard. Christopher’s audition was

in front of ten faculty members, including John Houseman, who had just won an Academy Award for “The Paper Chase”. Christopher and Robin Williams were the only students selected for Juilliard’s Advanced Program that year. They had several classes together and developed a close friendship that would last throughout their lives.

At the age of twenty-two, Christopher Reeve landed a leading role on this long-running CBS daytime

television soap “Love of Life”, where he played a villain. This part was important to Reeve because the pay was good and enabled him to pay back the money his stepfather loaned him for his education. His time on the soap gave him experience acting on television that was very different the theater.

In late 1975, Christopher auditioned for the Broadway play “A Matter of Gravity”. Katharine Hepburn watched his audition

and immediately cast him as her character’s grandson in the play.

With Hepburn’s influence at the CBS network, they were able to work out the schedules of the TV soap opera and the play, so that he would be able to do both.

Next week, we’ll look at Christopher’s rise to fame, time in Hollywood, and tragic accident.

Fred Jacobs is a full time resident of Puerto Vallarta and the author of three books.

Where can I find the Vallarta Tribune?

8 222 667 .net : 322 Office@ronmorgan net an. info

ww w.r

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

LLARTA OF VA PEOPLE Page 18

Over the past month we have been making small changes to our distribution locations; hopefully making it easier for you to find a copy. The Tribune will be available for pick up at the tourist offices in the main plaza as well as in Park Lazaro Cardenas, in Puerto Vallarta. You can

shop and pick up a copy of the Tribune at the Friday Marsol Market, the ‘Three Hens and a Rooster Market, Venustiano Carranza 466, on Saturdays’ and at the Amigo’s de La Cruz table at the La Cruz Sunday Market.

In addition to all of our advertisers, look for the Vallarta Tribune

in restaurants, resorts, galleries and salons around the Bay of Banderas and north into Sayulita and San Pancho. We distribute 10,000 copies in high season from Mismaloya to San Pancho each week.

Marina Vallarta: Benittos, The Coffee Cup, Re/Max, San Javier

Hospital Nuevo Vallarta: Eddies, Barracuda’s, Nopalitos, US Consulate, Chasers Sports Bar Bucerias: Mark’s, Sandrina’s, Yo-Yo Mo’s, Luna Lounge, Esquina 22 La Cruz: Oso’s Oyster Bar, Octopus Garden, Tescamala

EVEN

Cevic TS Agua he & ch Festivaile l Page 13

RIVIER

A NA YA

Farm Riviera RIT er’s M arket Page 28

Vallart

aTribu

ne.com

E ID GU EE FR

Januar

y 19 -

FEAT

URED PR Page OPERTY 32 PARA

DISE

IN PA Page RENTING 10

Spend

ing the

IMAG

INADO

day at

Destil

aderas

OR: TO Page NY COLLA 17 NT

Z

25, 201

7 Y

Year

23

Solve

19 Fre

e Issue

1033

games

August 17 - 23, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com