Friends and all,

Another day in Paradise! It was truly ideal again. We have been trying alternate days at the beach with days of just strolling as we have not quite acquired an adequate tan yet that would allow us to go out on a daily basis. Also, we still keep thinking of a few more things we need. Se today, after my morning constitutional up and down the Malécon, we leisurely dressed and headed down to the central part of town and on to the grocery store. We stopped again at the Cuban bar and had one of their 2 x 1 specials. This time we were wise enough to order just one for 2 and for about 3.50 we had a couple of very cold brews. Also, this place had a lovely view of the scenery

If you look to the right of the photo, you can see a local enjoying it as well.

After a little refreshment, we headed off to Ley's grocery. I am not sure I ever enter as deeply into Mexican culture as when we shop there. It's not that there are no gringos there, but there are very few. A man sits cleaning fresh cactus in the produce section and the delicatessen has dozens of dishes that we hardly recognize. We did pick up some more shrimp ceviche and also tried their guacamole (which turned out to be very good). A few more items and we strolled back, stopping at Las Palomas for another beer and just to sit and let the world go by.

Back to our place for lunch, some extended reading time -- Polley is reading The Shack, which I had finished - a popular, but engaging story of a man who visits with God in a shack. I am working through Revolutionary Road, a '60s novel that has recently been made into a film. Such joy to just sit and read things that have been recommended or that sound interesting -- no assigned reading.

Tonight was one of the weekly "Art Walks." If you read the blog last year, you might remember that Puerto Vallarta has about 15 galleries that stay open late one night a week. Because it is weekly, we did about 3 galleries last night and will pick up a few next week. Unfortunately, the galleries don't seem to change much, so much of what we saw last year, we remembered from the year before. But it is a pleasant evening to stroll, sip a bit of wine or tequila and look at art and at people. Did stroll past the Cathedral which was all lit up for the holidays

We then continued down the Malécon for a ways, coming across a hord of Mexican families out enjoying a Friday night. I got a photo of these very cute girls playing about the statue of the dancing couple.

After a lovely walk into Zona Romantica, we turned off the beach and further up before into Old Town for dinner at the real Fajita Republic. The night before had been crazy with tourists, tonight, despite it being a Friday, was more humane. Got a wonderful table and had a delicious dinner. Polley had the excellent "Crunchy Salad" and I had the Vegetarian Fajita. A great dinner for about $25. With the stronger dollar and the fact that prices haven't really changed very much, Mexico seems even more affordable than before. At the restaurant, of course Polley found another cat to befriend.


A walk directly back home for a little late night reading and then it was lights out on day 4.

Ed and Polley