Our Xmas Tree Is Up

Robert:

Happy Thanksgiving Americanos....don't eat too much now.

I keep the office open on Thanksgiving because so many of our clients are Mexicans and Canadians, and for them this is just another day.

This is the day that Lily normally took the Xmas decorations out of storage and put them up in the office. But last night I stayed late and did it alone. Lily is very much in our thoughts everyday, almost every moment, and that will be the case for a long time.

Here is our little tree, sitting on a table.

                                                                    

I bought this tree at Costco about three years ago; pre-decorated and pre-strung with mini lights. Naturally, some of the mini-lights have failed, but no hay problema. I bought a short strand last night at Mega for 24 pesos and put them on the tree this morning. Too bad the lights don't really show up in the photo.

Ricardo, Metal Mania! (NOT!)

Robert:

No, I don't mean metal music. Thank goodness.

Rather, a very polite young hombre named Ricardo Anaya stops by our office now and then, showing me samples of his artwork. His medium is metal, and he is not only a very pleasant and unassuming fellow; his work is quite good. It's more than just the same old same old that you so often see in Mexico. It is creative.

He does metal lamps, figures for wall mounting, tables, chairs, decorative railings, front doors, you name it. But always with style, flair, and creativity.

So...because I like the guy, and value his talent, I decided to give him a little free publicity when he stopped by today. 

Here are some samples of his work as shown on his website:

Lamps

Wall Art

Wall art, plus can be wired as a wall lamp.

Tres Caballos.

Stallion.

Ricardo is originally from Mexico City, but moved to Vallarta when he was 14.  He has his studio in Vallarta at Valle de Toronjo #301. He passes through Bucerias from time to time showing his work.


Here is a link to his website with lots more photos, and his contact info. He speaks some English, so don't be shy about calling or emailing him if you're interested in having something made.  CLICK HERE!

"Condo Beachfront," Brisas Building, Zona Dorada, Bucerias!

Robert:

Hard to imagine, but we've just listed a very spacious 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo right on the beach, here in the Zona Dorada of Bucerias, fully furnished and equipped, for just $384,000 USD.

The living area and the master bedroom look out over  the pool, palm-shaded beach, and bay.

View from living area and terrace.

This condo is highly rentable, or truly livable. With 1668 sq feet, it feels more like a home than a condo. Live here, and have plenty of room for family and friends to visit.

 To see the web page for this condo, with high def video tour, plus many more photos and more data, CLICK HERE.

New listing, Condo Rosa, Costa Dorada, 20 yards from beach, Bucerias

Robert:

Across the street from our office is Suites Costa Dorada, and in front, alongside the pool and extending to the beach, is the newer part, called Suites Claudia. We've just listed #707, a 1 bedroom, 1 bath unit about 20 yards from the beach.

There is a nice covered patio in front, and from there you have views of the ocean and pool. Furnished and equipped, for just $130,000 USD.

View from the patio.

This unit has a very strong rental history. Its location so close to the beach and in the Zona Dorada means there is constant rental demand.

Living area, bedroom beyond.

Here is a link to the web page for this property, with a video tour, plus more photos and data. Click here.

Lily Carpena, 1983 - 18 Noviembre 2013

Robert:

I'm certain I will never write a sadder post than this.

Our beloved secretary and dear friend of almost 6 years, Lily Carpena, died Monday night after a four month illness.

It is human nature to exaggerate when eulogizing, but it is no exaggeration to say that Lily was one of the kindest, most selfless persons I have ever known. Her decency, honesty, good cheer and warm goodwill toward everyone was unwavering and extraordinary; and continued even in the face of this unspeakably cruel and capricious twist of fate that ended her life so prematurely.


She was only 30.

With rue my heart is laden,
For golden friends I had,
Many a rose-lipped maiden,
Many a light-foot lad.

By streams too wide for leaping,
The light-foot lads are laid. 
The rose-lipped maids lie sleeping,
In fields where roses fade.

        A.E. Housman

                                                            

Anton Chekhov, Diamonds In The Sky

Robert:

"WE SHALL LIVE THROUGH THE LONG PROCESSION OF OUR DAYS; WE SHALL PATIENTLY BEAR THE TRIALS THAT LIFE IMPOSES, AND WHEN OUR LAST HOUR COMES WE SHALL MEET IT HUMBLY, AND AFTER WILL SAY THAT WE HAVE SUFFERED, AND WEPT...WE SHALL FIND PEACE. WE SHALL HEAR ANGELS. WE SHALL SEE THE SKY SPARKLING WITH DIAMONDS. WE SHALL SEE EVIL AND ALL PAIN SINK AWAY IN THE GREAT COMPASSION THAT WILL ENFOLD THE WORLD. OUR LIVES WILL BE AS PEACEFUL AND TENDER AND SWEET AS A CARESS. I HAVE FAITH." 

ANTON CHEKHOV

Daily Life In Bucerias; Lunch From A Trunk!

Robert:

There is always plenty of food all around you in Mexico. There are two taco carts that come by everyday...one on a big yellow tricycle sort of mechanism, the other in the back of a pick-up truck...but a really converted truck, with fold out sides and a roof.

Plus, any number of little restaurants in this neighborhood deliver. So, we never go hungry when working. Shed no tears for our stomachs.

There are even a couple of women who sell sandwiches (tortas) and hot plate lunches out of the trunks of their cars every day.

This morning at 8:30 I caught trunk-lady Carmen on her first go round...she sold me a torta de pierna wth lots of lettuce, tomato, and even a bit onion. Pierna literally means "leg" but in common practice when speaking of food it means uncured pork leg...like a pork roast. It is hugely popular here, and is commonly served shredded, mixed with a mildly tangy red sauce, and served in a big sandwich made with fresh baked teleras (the flatter, more oval sort of bakery bread), plus tomato and avocado slices.

Tortas de pierna are a staple item here, and are yummy.

Later today, around 2:30, Carmen came by on her afternoon route, and this time I bought her plate lunch (comida corrida).

 

35 pesos (about 3 dollars) for the beef tips in green sauce, with squash (calabaza) and potatoes. On the side, rice and beans, naturally. All ladled out of big steaming aluminum pots, right there next to the scissor jack and lug wrench.

Here's to elegant dining. Cheers. 

Traffic Menagerie On Lazaro Cardenas Street

Robert:

Lori LaVelle took this photo  just a  couple of blocks from our office, on Lazaro Cardenas, the main street that runs parallel to the beach.This is not untypical of our "traffic," except for the doggie ridin' high in the saddle, alongside the vaquero (cowboy). See the doggie? (I didn't at first glance.)

Photo by Lori LaVelle

That pooch looks pretty relaxed up there...I guess he's a true cowdog. A red bandanna would give him a rakish aspect. The burro looks a little pensive, lost in his burro thoughts, don't you think?

13 year old Jimmy Page, long before Led Zeppelin

Robert:

13 year old Jimmy Page performing on a BBC talent show:
Click here

Giant Sea Bass, Candy & Nut Buffet!

Robert:

Lori LaVelle dropped by the La Cruz Marina Market on Sunday.

La Cruz Marina (Photo: Lori LaVelle)

It's a weekly occurrence every Sunday during high season. This is a big market with lots of locally grown produce, homemade crafts, rugs, homemade soaps, prepared food to sample (paella, French pastries, quiche, fresh bread, etc.).

And, freshly caught fish. Here's a hefty sea bass:

That'll yank your cork! (Photo: Lori LaVelle)

A sea bass of that size would feed a big Mexican family, or be bought by a sea food restaurant for pescado sarandeado! Or just lots of filets!

Sea bass is one of the tastier fish in this area, along with of course red snapper and the epitome, dorado. All three are firm and delicious.

Nuts, fruits and candies! (Phot: Lori LaVelle)

The market opens early every Sunday morning throughout high season. Some of the fresh fish vendors are there in advance, but most of the market is open by around 9:00 a.m., then closes at 2 p.m.

Lori says get there as early as you can, because things get picked over, and it gets crowded.

Digital Dickinson!

Robert:

There is now an Emily Dickinson Digital Archive, where you can see extremely high resolution scans of the original cursive manuscripts of her complete works, published and unpublished, poems completed and poems abandoned. Emily is perhaps the finest lyrical poet in the English language, with the exception of Shakespeare. She shares his extraordinary and sublime ability to capture indelibly the essence of a fleeting mood, of a momentary, almost transcendental, inner state.

Click Here

For example below is the link to an early manuscript of one of her most stunningly powerful poems. Once on the page, notice that you can zoom in on the manuscript with such clarity you can almost see the fibers in the paper she used.

Link to Manuscript

In case you have trouble reading her handwriting, here is the printed text.

There's a certain Slant of light,
BY EMILY DICKINSON

There's a certain Slant of light,

Winter Afternoons –

That oppresses, like the Heft

Of Cathedral Tunes –

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –

We can find no scar,

But internal difference –

Where the Meanings, are –

None may teach it – Any –

'Tis the seal Despair –

An imperial affliction

Sent us of the Air –

When it comes, the Landscape listens –

Shadows – hold their breath –

When it goes, 'tis like the Distance

On the look of Death –

Trick or Treaters from Last Night

Robert:

Well-known local real estate broker Lori LaVelle has joined our staff as our newest agent. Welcome aboard Lori, and thanks for the photos below!

Lori was out with her mom Linda and friend Kathleen last night. They got a good people-watching table at Mark's Restaurant, and sat back to watch the local kids.

Is he Dracula? Or Johnny Depp as Tonto?

Mark's provided the Halloween Hostess

Kathleen and Linda,"Katrina shopping" at Jan's.

Another culturally hybrid Bucerias Halloween has come and gone. Thanks again Lori for the fotos.