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One can handle only so many back-to-back sunny days! To those of you in northern climes, that may sound somewhat perverse, but here in Vallarta – where we have perfect weather with just about zero rain from November through May – the rainy season is a welcome reprieve. The days remain, for the most part, sunny and bright so activities aren’t affected, yet the evening or overnight thunderstorms add an element of excitement with their primal drama. And, personally, I find them cathartic, always awakening feeling really relaxed after them, my ruminations seemingly floated away.
Having said that, I doubt I’m the only one to find it ironic that the new road near the Holiday Inn linking Francisco Villa and Francisco Medina Ascencio was named Rio Amazonas. The first insistent downpour mere days after it opened made it all too clear why – more than two feet of pooled water forcing the retreat of cars and even buses. But this area is a vital watershed, so what’s the surprise? And it’s barely recognizable these days, with so much construction going on, trees, which play a major role in preventing flooding, paying the price. When you consider that the parks are being turned into parking lots, roads are being widened, and huge residential and commercial developments are coming on line, it feels like war! I had thought it was somewhat comforting when the City said it would plant two palm trees for every one of the trees it has destroyed recently – a couple thousand at least – until an astute friend pointed out how little shade, pollution-filtering and erosion-preventive properties they have compared to the mature trees of various species they eliminated.
On a happier nature note, the other day while having morning coffee with a friend at Flamingos Golf Course a richly pink, long-legged bird in flight held us spellbound, then landed on the lagoon right in front of us. What a beautiful sight! She called it a flamingo, while from past research I think it was a roseate spoonbill. But who’s quibbling? These are the moments to treasure and typical of why I live here. And while I mourn the loss of the pristine Vallarta that was, not a day goes by that I don’t celebrate my good luck in being here now.
It’s a delicate dance between wanting to live in a utopian tropical paradise and having access to great shopping, culture and entertainment and so on. For the longest time my friends and I complained about the lack of movie variety here. Well, now that has changed too, with more than 20 new theaters, most already operational at both the new Cinemark and Cinepolis complexes.
And eating out at good restaurants is even more accessible since
Vallarta’s recent Restaurant Week 2005, which nudged a delightful new local dining trend – prix fixe dinners, with your choice of appetizer, main course and dessert at one very reasonable price. The fledgling culinary event proved so popular that it will be taking place every spring from now on. But fortunately, we don’t have to wait until then, with several of its 33 participants, including Archie’s Wok, La Petit, Café des Artistes and Los Xitomates, continuing to offer fabulous specials.
Now, so what if it’s raining!
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading,
you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com
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