Today's morning walk

This morning we walked past the demolition site

of Rizos old grocery store in downtown Vallarta.

Originally they had guys with sledgehammers breaking up the walls 

but finally resorted to bigger equipment.

The air is thick with unhealthy particles!

One of the many suspension bridges that cross the River Cuale.

He is giving her a piece of his mind...

...but...is she really listening?

Beauty in the morning

Door 2-2019

The first door painting for 2019 has changed slightly...but it is finally finished!

Meanwhile the second door painting is also finished! Yeah!!!

So...what draws me to paint these "exhausted" doors?

I think that it must be the history that hides behind layers of peeling paint...

...the unusual methods of ensuring that no one can enter or leave...

...and the wood that rots but never gives up. 

Preview of Door 1-2019

The air feels cleaner and crisper after last night's rainfall. It is still impossible to sleep without having the fan circulating air in our room. I guess that the metabolism of locals has adjusted to the humidity but, as dwellers of the northern hemisphere...our daily problem is assuring that we stay hydrated while we sweat through the days!

Repeated requests to see what is happening in the studio have prompted me to photograph the current "door" painting in its infancy...not quite finished but it is slowly coming alive. Another "door" is also in progress as well as another "Day of the Dead" painting.

So far the time spent on coffee breaks exceeds the time spent with a paint brush in hand...especially if there is an afternoon breeze on my favorite shady terrace! Mornings are occupied with trips into town for the gym, walks and more coffee breaks. Of course there needs to be time for a short float in the pool so the sun can magically transform my northern white skin into a healthy glow.

Contemplating a float!

Rain

Our first rainfall...clearing the air!

Today

Orange bus into town

Walk along the Malecon

Workout at the gym

Iced coffee and fruity tea

Cinnamon pecan pastries

Orange bus back to Mismaloya

Search for washrooms

It is always important, in any city, to identify convenient washroom locations. This has become painfully necessary for me with passing years! Hotels are often hospitable but I discovered that the "all inclusive" hotels in Puerto Vallarta do not welcome non-guests! Even McDonalds has a security person who insists on seeing your receipt for the purchase of dubious edibles at this eatery before allowing access to the toilets!

So, I have made it a quest to find clean washrooms in the city. So far, the best option is at a lovely little Mercado that also offers a cafe with wonderful coffee and delicious baked muffins...far superior in quality and price to Starbucks! The washroom is upstairs above quiet seating in an open atrium.

Today, as we visited the local tile manufacturer, I wandered upstairs to watch tile painters at work.

This artist had a very steady hand as he applied details to the scene...and...

...above him I noticed a washroom sign!...halelujah!

Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra welcomed me!

I have definitely added this location to my list of clean washrooms.

Studio supervisor

Work is continuing in the studio

under the watchful eye of Mattie!

Sunset

Another gorgeous sunset

in Mismaloya

Boat trip

We had a fun boat trip yesterday with Xavier, our 21 year old skipper at the helm. He picked us up at the beach in Mismaloya...on the sand!...a challenge for everyone, especially John and I. Several young men attempted to hold the boat in place while being buffeted by waves.

After we struggled aboard... the same young men pushed us off the beach and into the sea.

Xavier took us for a tour past the Casa and around Los Arcos, large rocks or islands in front of Casa del Mirador. There was a colorful display of fish below us that rose to the surface for small bits of bread. Los Arcos has many caves that are explored by kayakers. Our boat was too big to pass safely through.

After our tour of Los Arcos we sailed to Las Animas for lunch. Our disembarkation on the beach was assisted by a strong older Mexican who carried each of us off the boat!!! Whew! Lunch was a welcome break from the choppy water...and a margarita tasted delicious! Sooz and I decided to dunk ourselves after lunch... so...for the first time... I had a dip in warm Mexican waters! The undertow ...which has deterred me in the past... was very strong so we didn't venture too far.

I am not sure which of the embarkations and disembarkations was more challenging...but getting back onboard at Las Animas was as difficult as our final exit in Mismaloya. Perhaps these adventures are intended for younger bodies than ours!

Brooming!

Despite his fall while "brooming" last winter...

...he is determined to sweep the stairs on Sundays!

River walk

Today's walk took us along the river on a winding new pathway laced with lush plantings. The river is very low but still provided a great float for several water birds who were enjoying an effortless journey downstream.

There are many simple homes for locals along the river that are slowly being replaced by condo buildings and more expensive dwellings. In a few years the area will be entirely upscale. Meanwhile it is still possible to find a donkey waiting for his owner on the river bank.

Back in town we walked by a simple line drawn mural on the end of a new condo complex.

This town is rich with creative murals and mosaics!

Back in PV

We arrived in Puerto Vallarta on December 31st...ready to start the New Year in Mexico. Our hosts met us at the airport and we drove to their home in Mismaloya. Once again we are surrounded by birdsong and the sound of waves crashing on the rocks below. The midnight transition from 2018 to 2019 was uneventful...no partying...just a feeling of well being.

These guys enjoy their daily bath in the lap pool!

Our revised health and fitness regimen started immediately on January 1st with a 3.7 mile walk for me...while John had a day of leisure. This morning, while John made his first visit to a local gym, I enjoyed a 3 mile walk. Our diet has undergone a major change also with reduced carbs and sweets. 

I picked up canvases today for the start of a new series of paintings...totally unsure of the theme for this next creative process. Our host is preparing for his next exhibition in February with 12-14 beautiful images for Contempo Gallery in PV. I haven't visited Galeria Dante yet to see how many of my paintings have disappeared from the walls....hopefully several!