Diary of 3 Weeks in Mexico

June 10 Sunday
9pm

I did much more than just dip my toes in today... I dove in, right off the bow of our triple keel catamaran, submerging my whole self into the warm salty waters of the Mexican Pacific.

Needless to say, we had a great day, in fact we've had a great time here in Puerto Vallarta. Yesterday, after we peeled ourselves from the laziness of the beach, we walked~ an exploration walk, for hours... 3 hours I think. We walked along the beach, we walked into shops, we walked into the market, to the plazas, the cathedral, onto the island in the middle of the Rio Cuale, everywhere.

We watched artisans make huichol *delicately and intricately beaded decorations*, carve wood, bead dresses,and paint canvas. The street vendors were maybe our greatest entertainment, however, I also believe they were just as amazed by us. The Mexicans at times seem to be so intrigued by young, blonde, pale skinned, American girls. They're not at all mean or derogatory or decietful, but in all honesty, they just havent seen many of us in person... only in the movies and on television. So sometimes they ask us questions, call us beautiful barbies (thank you?), ask for photos with us, and even playfully propose marraige. Its hilarious and rediculous, but it makes me think about the way they accept difference. In the States historically accepting difference usally comes after a period of discrimination, or maybe first tolerating the difference. Im not saying there's no discrimination here or that this society is in any way a model society... just an observation. The Mexicans haven't been exposed to the diversity of races, religions and ethnicities that is the United States. Their diversity comes from the tourists, not the immigrants. Therefore differences have had no need to be as deeply discussed or are as ingrained in their culture. But I digress...

We had dinner on the beach last night... right off a grill. Shrimp kepobs, actually spiced shrimp on a stick, but so tasty. While we sat down at a plastic table to order the shrimp, vendors also walk along the shore selling these shrimp (and fish) on sticks to the sunbathers. I was intrigued and wanted to try, but without the sand covering my hands while laying on the beach. And it was quite good. I'm gonna have some more before I leave.

Today was quite good too...better than good. Maybe the best day yet. We took a boat cruise today, the one I alluded to earlier. The BoraBora cruise left the Maritime Harbor at 10 this morning, and didn't return til 6pm tonight. The boat left the city's northern harbor and went south, meandering along the coastline, south past the hotel zone where all the beautiful resorts are, past the main plaza and the Malecon, and finally past old Vallarta where we are staying. We went first to the Arcos Islands... where I dove off the boat with snorkel gear to gaze down into - what was today - a very cloudy and dark green reef; the most reef life I saw were the bright red and blue crabs crawling along the steep rocks of the tiny, jagged and steep islands. The water was warm though and the swimming was so much fun and so freeing.

Upon reboarding the boat soaken wet we were given a snack and the open bar started, woohoo! The open bar consisted of any drink you can make with tequila of course, the Mexicans are seriously obsessed. Also offering Coronas and Pasificos with limes. We dropped off some beach babies and families with small children before the rest of us went to Quixmoto - to hike or horseback ride to the waterfall. The little village was as poor Mexican as they come - roosters in the yard on leashes, iguanas as pets (I even held one), thatched roofs, barefoot children running through the sand and dust, community housing with hammocks in the yards. The people were so friendly as their entire income revolves around the tourist visitors to see the waterfalls; Their village is only accesible by boat.

The hike was fantastic, about a mile to the waterfall, uphill and in the sand... what a workout. The reward though, totally worth it; a sweet retreat and oasis. A beautiful waterfall and great swimming hole hidden in the middle of nowhere...again we dove in. So refreshed- we headed back to the boat an hour after our departure and to another beach for lunch and more sunning.

At about 5 we hopped back in the boat, this time heading north in the open waters; our boat now bonded: drinking, dancing and playing games together. The people on the boat were from Canada, the Carribean, Las Vegas and all parts of Mexico. Again Kristen and I being the only white and blonde girls.. but they loved us and teased us, and we had so much fun with them. The people were great... there was one group of ten Mexican University students from the Capital region. They were with a much larger group who had taken a study trip last week, and then the whole group came to the beach for the weeekend. I talked so much spanish with them, it was amazing. We enjoyed a great day together discussing at points, politics, perceptions of the other's country, learning language, school systems, all my favorites. They also invited us to meet them all for a beach party tonight. I'm not sure if we'll go, or if they'll really call our room (their whole group is also staying in our hotel) but the day was made even better with quality spanish conversations. We had a lot of fun.

We walked back to the hotel after some fajitas on the beached and are now clean and refreshed again in our pajamas and watching the American presidential debate recap on the english CNN channel in our room.

Mmmmm vacation.