Well, I saw my first facecloth of the season on the bus this morning – and it was mine. I couldn’t put off using this sure sign that summer has arrived any longer.

If you live here year round and take public transportation, you know what I’m talking about. My first summer here, however, it took me a while to figure out why people who otherwise looked fairly presentable would have what I thought were rags in their hands. Turns out they were wiping their brows with squares of absorbent material about the size of facecloths. In fact, they were.

Sweat, mop, sweat, mop…it does have a rhythm to it, I admit, but it’s definitely too hot to dance to. The good news is that we women are ‘glowing’ these days – and will continue to for the next six months as the ever-present humidity plumps our skin, hiding wrinkles. Up north I’d look several years older, so I guess I shouldn’t complain.

Aware how little clearance there often is between the top of my head and a wild assortment of obstacles hanging over Vallarta sidewalks – my wonky ponytail adding a few inches, granted – I have to wonder how anyone taller than average manages to safely navigate by foot while still taking in the rich plethora of sights and diversions this town is known for.

I’m tempted to think that Puerto Vallarta’s urban ‘planners’ must be vertically challenged jokesters, because if they weren’t, they’d realize that shop awnings with steel rods, dangling electrical wires (Live? Who knows? I’m not going to find out!), cables and signage could, conceivably, be placed where we needn’t duck or dodge them. With each generation of North Americans progressively taller, the municipal administration might want to give this niggling ‘little’ detail some thought.

And have you tried passing in front of Senor Frog’s on Ignacio Vallarta? On the sidewalk they’ve placed a frog holding a sign out mere inches from a planter, pretty much demanding that those of us wider than actor Calista Flockhart have to turn sideways to pass.The prominent print and banner campaign to slow down the drinking of alcoholic beverages in the streets – released with a great deal of hoopla just before the Easter holidays – seems, on the one hand, to be working. Fewer people are obviously drinking while walking around. But I’ve noticed more than the usual number of people in cars imbibing and driving recklessly. Surely this couldn’t have been the City’s intent.

It doesn’t really feel like tourism has slowed dramatically yet, with several holidays early this month, including the May 1 Labor Day, drawing lots of nationals and the town gearing up for what promises to be a really exciting month. Ninety events are scheduled for the annual May Cultural Festival of music, theater, dance and more. And the 10th annual Sports Classic is expected to draw 2,000 or so visitors to numerous sites around town including the soccer stadium across from the Sheraton. A squad of water sprinklers are already on the job there, ensuring the fields look great for the upcoming action.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.