Vallarta Lifestyles

Lita Aguirre: Vallartan Bloods Run Deep: While Lita Aguirre wasn’t actually born in Puerto Vallarta, she has felt a bond with the city for as long as she can remember. “On my father’s side, I’m a descendant of don Guadalupe Sánchez, the founding father.

Juan Luis Cifuentes Lemus: Doctor Taxista: The enthusiasm and passion of Dr. Juan Luis Cifuentes Lemus, Honoris Causa of CUCosta (Centro Universitario de la Costa, UDG), precedes this marine biologist, public activist and environmentalist. With a motto of “living beings well-evaluated” (los seres vivos bien evaluados), he focuses his prime attention on the youth, believing that “what we know, we take care of.”

Real Estate Trends 2007-2008: For the past five years, we have prepared a list of trends we perceived to be taking place in the Vallarta real estate market. Information is gathered through interviews with real estate agents and developers, then compiled and reviewed for trends.

Pork Shank in Peanut Mole: Pork Shank in Peanut Mole courtesy of Agave Grill.

Jenny McGill: Musing on Her Recently Published Book's Success: Consular work, which may seem like a glamorous activity, is actually very demanding of time and energy, as eloquently described by former Puerto Vallarta Consular Agent Jenny McGill in her recently published memoir. Titled "Drama & Diplomacy in a Sultry Mexican Beach Town," the book describes her experiences prior to and during her consular years in Puerto Vallarta.

La Piñata: The Soul of a Mexican Fiesta: Piñatas are the very soul of children’s parties in Mexico. All youngsters wait impatiently for the moment they can try to break this model made of papier mache and metal, its belly a clay pot filled with candies. This folk art attracts not only children; adults also fall under its colorful spell when it appears at a Christmas party or even sometimes at a wedding.

Empowering the Youth of Banderas Bay: Today’s young people hold the future in their hands. Yet the Mexican educational system alone is not equipped to prepare them to benefit from and cope with the challenges and opportunities inherent in Vallarta, which is experiencing largescale tourism and development.

Marvel of the Sea: Long before jet skis and condominiums, ATVs and fishing trawlers, female sea turtles crawled from the oceans and bays along the Pacific coast of Mexico to fling away loose sand and construct their nests.

Living with Art in a Tropical Environment: The paper and chemicals traditionally used in photography make it especially vulnerable to damage, such as fading, mold and disintegration, from exposure to light, humidity and heat. Special technology and products used in the printing and mounting processes, along with temperature and humidity-control of the space where photos are displayed or stored, can circumvent the risk.

Hot Spot: Olas Altas: Bustling with activity day and night, this trendy street has such a formidable draw that many tourists and locals actually refer to the entire neighborhood by its name. Saunter about and you will be delighted to have scheduled ample time to discover its many restaurants, gift stores, outdoor cafés and nightclubs.

The Huichol Universe: They are easily spotted at diverse shops around town, painstakingly attaching multi-colored beads to hand-carved wooden sculptures depicting a variety of fantastic creatures.

Earnestly Speaking Nonsense — In a Spanish-Speaking Land: I doubt any gringos actually set out to make fools of themselves here. But speaking “Spanglish” certainly adds to the likelihood that it’s going to happen now and then. Personally, since my livelihood depends on a facility with language, I’m mortified to have an IQ that apparently slumps 80% when speaking what I’ve come to call “Silly Spanish.”

Cravings: A Guayaba: A very rich source of vitamin C (even more so than the ubiquitous orange), guayabas – or guavas, as they are known up north – are as delicious fresh as they are in their many widely available incarnations, from thick rolls of rich guava paste to bottled guava nectar. And since they can be harvested year round in warm climates, they are considered one of Mexico’s leading fruits.

Molcajete Salsa at Your Table: A basalt (volcanic rock) tool traditionally used at home to grind spices and prepare salsas and guacamole, the molcajete, or Mexican mortar, is the big enchilada of kitchen gadgets here, dating back to Aztec times.