|
I love Vallarta, my chosen home, yet like everyone else I need to get away now and then to recharge my batteries. I had gotten so comfortable and busy doing my thing around here, providing all kinds of information for tourists, that I pretty much stopped being one myself in this country that offers so very much a decade ago.
Happily, a four-day road trip to Colima, our neighboring state to the south, gave me a renewed zest for my life here in Mexico and made me realize how well situated Vallarta is with outstanding topography in all directions and so many incredible beaches, pueblos and cities to explore within an easy day’s drive.
It was exciting to feel anticipation again and I sure wasn’t disappointed. A fellow journalist and I saw Mexico’s most active volcano, found a third-generation mask maker in an obscure village when people said it couldn’t be done, and was captivated by the considerable traditional charms of Colima City. And on top of all that, I saw my first aardvark, as well as a mapeche and cotimundi.
The highway was excellent for the most part, satin-smooth and wide, a toll road saving a lot of time. When passing by and in towns, however, topes were so ubiquitous we made a game of describing the different raised shapes, colors and materials that caused us to slow down when necessary. And it was neat being reminded of the kinds of things visitors really want and need to know. Not only how fabulous XYZ restaurant is, but the basics like how to get in and out of town and where the tourist information office is both of which proved challenging since Colima’s tourism is much less developed than ours and very little is spelled out in English.
And it seems to me, the best part of getting away is being happy to return home, in my case appreciating with fresh eyes how beautiful this area truly is and being more determined than ever to do what I can to preserve it.
A big part of what makes Colima City so appealing is its beautiful parks, six right downtown. Distressingly, Puerto Vallarta is about to eliminate not one, but all four of ours, turning them into parking lots, with construction beginning at the end of this month. I’m certainly not saying we don’t need places to put the cars clogging our El Centro cobblestone streets. We desperately do. But why is it either/or? Numerous other locations have been offered that would be more suitable, even in terms of access. We need and want our parks! With the increasing traffic congestion we have they provide what many of us consider vital physical and psychological respite, never mind typical pueblo ambiance that we residents, and certainly vendors, appreciate as much as the tourists do. Anyway, it’s not over until the fat lady sings. And people who care, including, God bless him, tireless ecological activist Ron Walker, rc_walkermx@yahoo.com.mx are doing what they can to keep this from happening and maintain Vallarta’s reputation as an exceptionally desirable destination.
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.
|
