Another Puerto Vallarta excursion is behind us now. Mike and I just returned from a week in Mexico in the most amazing weather. Since this was our second trip to Puerto Vallarta, we knew how to get around better this time, and we had planned our agenda.
We were lucky to arrive just in time for the Festival of the Lady of Guadalupe, a 12 day celebration that takes place between December 1 and December 12. We did a bunch of research about this before we arrived on December 10th, so we knew that there would be numerous processions throughout the city, culminating in a big mass and giant street festival on December 12th. To participate in something that's such a huge part of the culture of a city was so cool. We were able to walk along with the procession and I had the La Guadalupana song in my head for the entire trip. I've got some more pix on Flickr, and many more to come.
Part of my adventure has to do with my internet access. I had planned to go on our trip and have a complete digital disconnect. I did this partially. I had no contact with work, and quite honestly, didn't think about work at all. But, I wasn't able to totally escape my geekiness. I had activated an international calling plan so my dad could contact me if he had any emergencies, but didn't go with an international roaming plan for data. When I first arrived, I noticed my phone didn't work for the internet or email, so all was good. Then something happened. I was able to access my twitter account. So I tweeted. Then, I realized I could push sync my email, which meant I could upload photos to my flickr account. Until I got a text message from AT&T letting me know my international data usage was very high. To the tune of $365! I called their free international number and they were nice enough to add an international data plan so I only had to pay $25.99, but I took the rest of the vacation to go data-free. Lesson learned.
It's hard to recap every minute of every day, but our basic day went something like this:
- Coffee on the patio in the morning
- Take the bus to downtown and eat somewhere amazing around the beach around 10 or 11
- Tool around downtown, shopping, checking stuff out, and either walk back or take the bus back.
- Lounging by the pool in the afternoon, maybe a tropical drink and some guacamole
- Cocktails around 6, and then bus into downtown for dinner at sunset
- Roaming around downtown, either joining in with the processions, or checking out shops and clubs.
Seriously, I could have stayed forever. It was so mellow and kick back.
One thing that was missing: The Happy Pitbulls. We missed them so much while we were gone. We had to take every opportunity to find the dirty, mangy dogs on the street and give them some loving. Dogs in Mexico have a really different life than they do in our house. At least the ones we saw. There was only one doggy we met that was half bull terrier and half dalmatian that seemed really happy and like he was well taken care of. That dog made us happy, but made us miss our dogs. I think this was the longest we've been away from them ever! Our next vacation will have to be to someplace that takes dogs (Mendocino...here we come!).
But until then...it's back to business. Back to work on Monday...hopefully my serenity will last a while. At least through the holiday season. A couple of short work weeks should help preserve it pretty nicely.
