August 2024 Puerto Vallarta
A few months ago, my 16 yo granddaughter, Juliet (now JJ) said to me: “Papa, take me to Mexico”. So, here we are! Sister Mary has joined us for the week. This, in spite of my diminished capacities. On May 31, I had a C 4-5 laminectomy-- cervical decompression surgery. MRI showed vertebrae pushing against my spinal cord. Even though I didn’t have much in the way of expected symptoms (i.e., weakness of extremities), I elected to have the procedure done. About a week after, my left arm became weak. The surgeon promptly diagnosed it as C-5 palsy. Most recover within about 6 months. Let’s hope so. Meanwhile, I keep getting around, including walking about 1/3 mile daily with Lucy & Luna. My range for walking in this heat and humidity will be limited.
Photos inserted here are courtesy of Chica Maria (Sister Mary). Left arm palsy is making my photo taking shaky.
At Club Regina in the Marina Vallarta, we have 2 suites. Last time I was here & tried to sleep on the sofa-“sleeper” it was terrible. I got a cozy rollaway that worked great. So I asked for one this time, fearing the sofa-sleeper would be like the last one. But, the rollaway they brought me was super firm. I asked if they had a softer one, like last time. They brought me a foam pad. I made it through the first night, but decided to examine the sofa-sleeper. It’s like one in the states & I thought would be fine.
First night we ate at Victor’s here in the marina. My seafood burrito was delicious. Our waiter was very friendly, took our pic with marina boats behind us.
Next morning, Thursday, we took an uber into town, Zona Romantica, to Fredy’s Tucan, recommended for breakfast to Mary by her talkative seatmate on the flight here. Lots of breakfast choices. I decided on waffle with fruit & ice cream. Friendly staff. Mary went into a nearby bank, for 18.1 pesos/dollar exchange. From there we caught a short ride to the mercado along the River Cuale. As we got out of the uber, I spotted a small beauty salon. During this stay, I was planning to get a pedicure at the place I got one in the nearby Marina. But, with no one in the salon, I decided to get the pedicure, while Mary & JJ shopped. It was painful—the pedicurist dug vigorously on my cuticles. When I winced (yelped--truthfully), she scolded me for not getting pedicures regularly.
We were feeling worn out from the heat & humidity, so instead of catching the city bus that goes right by the market, we caught a cab back to the resort. 150 pesos—between $8 & $9. We went to the restaurant here at Club Regina (CR) for dinner. My alfredo was too salty—I should have had the waiter replace it.
Friday morning we returned to the bank to exchange pesos, ATM here at CR has refused to work for me. The uber driver waited for us, then dropped us at the chapel of the Senora de Guadalupe. From the church, we walked a couple of blocks down to the Malecon—a picturesque promenade along the bay. We didn’t spend much time there, as JJ wanted to visit a 2nd hand store. It was about a 10-block walk. JJ had the address in her phone, so I agreed to join them after their bargain shopping. Staying on the shady side of the street, I found friendly benches to rest on, making my way to join the gals at Bodeguita del Medio, the Cuban restaurant that is a must-stop, for live music, paella and mojitos. The band was loud and glaring, so we didn’t go upstairs to watch them. We did find spaces to write our names, a Bodeguita tradition. We walked the Malecon to an ice cream shop, devouring as they quickly melted, on a promenade above the beach. Then a taxi back to Club Regina, in time for the end of the sunset.
Saturday morning Mary made a run to Walmart for fruit and sandwich makings. Day on the beach and pool. Several big iguanas were keeping us company.
For dinner, we walked to nearby Tavola de Vittoria, a recommended Italian restaurant. We were disappointed. Mary’s fish was too salty (they did replace it), JJ wasn’t fond of her pizza. I ordered lasagna, the waiter talked me into the special of the day, half-again more expensive. We got back to CR in time to watch sunset afterglow, which just keep getting more colorful, turning the sky and ocean orange!
Sunday, we returned to Abulon for fish tacos—memorable on our food tour in 2019. Then another uber to iced coffees and dessert overlooking the beach, at another stop on our 2019 food tour. Back at CR, we rested up, then walked the beach at sunset, found Balache at Vidanta open, given that server Elisabeth was willing to overlook we lacked bracelets = weren’t resort members. Nice sunset but nothing like Saturday night’s splendor.
I’ve been awake a lot at night. Going to bed earlier than usual is part of the reason, but I’m finding the hide-a-bed uncomfortable. So, I got housekeeping to add a mattress, which is an improvement. Carpel tunnel is an issue. I’m using Mary’s wood spindle to massage my hand and fingers, which is helping.
Kate (JJ’s mom) and Nick were here in June, a late honeymoon for their April wedding. They went to a timeshare sales presentation, then failed to spend the$100 in certificates. Name of “Lowry”, good for 90 days, we are able to apply to a luxury sailboat snorkeling outing for JJ & Mary on Monday morning. I stayed back, walked to the nearby marina and got a haircut. Waiting at the salon, I chatted with a friendly expat from LA, happy with his decision to live down here on Social Security income. He returns to the States each 6 months—to renew his tourist visa. At $13 before tip, the haircut’s less a bargain than my Mexican haircuts over the years. Nice beautician, ‘tho she didn’t take much hair off the top of my head. It’ll do for a couple months. Making my way back to CR in the midday sun, I grabbed a cab, even tho’ it’s less than a half mile. Cabbie grumbled about price, agreed to 50 pesos.
JJ and Mary enjoyed their boat ride. JJ took to snorkeling. She was kissed by a seal and purchased a bunch of pics taken by tour guide. Afternoon naps on return, then back to Victor’s for dinner again, sunset on the marina. Lightening storm with torrential downpour as we were waiting for the uber. When we got to Victor’s, still raining, it was closed! Fortunately, Sukla Grill House. Just steps away was open and we got 2 for 1 pina colatas, so-so Mexican dishes and delicious chocolate cake a la mode. Ready for bed on return to CR.
Tuesday was wind-down day. No trips. JJ did some last-minute shopping with beach vendors. Mary & I spent time at the pool. For dinner, we went to nearby Japanese Mikado, adjacent to the Marina Marriott. We joined a couple from San Jose, CA at the teppanyaki grill. They were celebrating the 3rd anniversary of their meeting at a 49ers preseason game.
On arrival at the airport Wed am, we were informed our flight was delayed 2 hours. We were expected to miss our connection in Dallas. Again, I requested wheelchair assistance—that speeds up getting though customs. JJ kept saying we were going to make our Seattle flight. And, she was right!—we did just get on our flight. Our checked bags did not, but American delivered here to our house the next morning.
‘Good week. I did get tired quickly in the humid upper-80s PV weather. Ubers to the rescue. I intended to have JJ experience Mexican city bus riding, but we didn’t get around to it. She did get the Mexico trip with Papa that she wished for.
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