Viernes, Febrero Cinco, Dos Mil Diez!
Friday, the day the cleaning lady comes. (Jessica) So I suppose I need to vacate the place for a few hours. Just Got a feeling that it’s going to be an interesting beautiful sunny Mexican day. Yesterday, nearby, I found the ‘lavanderia’ or Laundromat. Only 10 peso/kg. (that’s why you study math conversions in grade school) You simply drop off your laundry and pick it up the next day, washed, dried and folded. Did I mention how much I’m suffering? Translated, for me that’s about $4 for a week. Through some rough Spanish, I learned that they are open 7 days/week. When traveling for 2 months, this is a critical item. So finding one close and reasonable is precious info.
I reward myself with breakfast if I include a ‘long’ hike to the destination. The Sweet Thing was the choice (two days running) and I found it nearly full. A special on the board that caught my stomach was Biscuits n Gravy with 2 eggs and hash-browns. (60 pesos) yum! Going to have to add a few more miles to my walk. Coffee was delivered con leche and it was good, not great, just good. But it’s Mexico! Perused the menu and found a tempting plate of fresh fruit, granola and yogurt.(45 pesos) Darn, missed that one. Perhaps next trip.
Met a retired guy named Tom at breakfast from Canada, and staying in Terralta 3 for 6 months. He shares a condo with a roommate. Exchanged emails. Very interesting. His place was rent plus plus, which meant he had to pay extra for gas and electric. He said that electric was expensive. (more on him later)
What a gorgeous day! Here comes that feeling again!
On my walk to the office I also stopped back at the tour shop to verify prices, departure times and reservation details on the all day whale watching, snorkeling, beach, sailing excursion. Romero was the same salesperson and after some discussion, I think the prices have gone down, a little. The all day excursion from Nuevo Vallarta to Los Arcos, Animas, and Quimixto is now $350 pesos. ($27) Since the dollar vs. the peso changes daily, so does the cost of everything. It has varied from 12.80 to 13.30 since I arrived. The all day excursion from PV which included Yelapa is now $400 pesos.
Walking through the gauntlet of vendors, I found a small place, they’re all small, that sold some interesting glasses. (shot, brandy, wine, margarita, etc.) I met Maya who sold me on a unique sipping glass (vasa) She told me that only her father (padre) makes them. (see photo) 50 pesos lighter, I resumed my hike.
11:45am Office open. Quote of the day when the bartender said, “For you Juan, we start happy hour when you walk in!” And thus began my day at the office.
If you haven’t noticed, one of the things I do in Mexico is study Spanish. Brilliant choice, John! I like to use it while writing as you may have noticed. By the end of my stay in Bucerias, the entire blog should be in Spanish greatly reducing my extensive readership. LOL. I also like to use the Spanish word of the day. I don’t include every one, only occasionally. Today it is:
animar, verbto encourage
When you want to encourage someone to do something, you express the idea in Spanish with the verb animar.
I encourage you to come and visit me. Now for my hike and nap.
I found a hidden Italian Ristorante called Mezzo Giorno. Avenido del Pacifico 33 http://www.mezzogiorno.com.mx/ Will take a photo later, closer to sunset. (see pics) Beautiful romantic setting for dinner. Heard it was great food.(I asked a couple sitting there.)
Arrived at the Shamrock at 5:01pm with a muy fria cerveza con limón waiting. How great is that! Jess was tending the bar while Sharon and Natalie scurried to please a table of 8 Canadians. Seated at the bar were two guys whom I had spoken with yesterday. One being from Aberdeen Scotland with a brogue so thick, I could only make out every 5th word. (memories of my trip and laughs in Ireland 2003) They had talked about an early morning fishing trip planned for today. It turns out they were quite successful and one of the tuna weighed in at 25kgs. They had even brought one to the Shamrock and using the fresh catch, Natalie was busy preparing several orders of proper Fish n’ Chips. (English style)
The ever Smiling Katie arrived later to help with the trickle of patrons. Pedro and I had met her last Saturday night. She works as needed, mostly weekends. She helped me pick a square on the Super Bowl board for 20 pesos. Sarah, fresh off the beach, popped in for a bit and I briefly met Natalie’s blonde roommate, Lola.
I met one guy, didn’t catch his name, that has been living full-time in Bucerias for 4 years. For the price of one Corona (80 cents), he gave me his recommendations for the best food in town. I took a few notes. Later, Steve the VN Vet and ex-postal worker showed up and sat at the bar with me.
By now my stomach was speaking and after a considerable amount of drooling I decided that an order of proper Fish n’ Chips was required. Thanks, Natalie.
With great food in hand, I headed uphill to 102 Sauce. The fish was fantastic. Fell asleep on the futon downstairs with page 300 bookmarked. And indeed it was a beautiful and interesting day. If you haven’t noticed, a cast of characters has been forming.

Buenos Noches!