Family of KNOWmads? Yes, I believe we are!

Isn't life sometimes just about circles?  What comes around goes around or sometimes we are known to repeat history or once an old idea still a good idea...

My friend Maya Frost found this interesting premise posted by John Moravec that once upon a time there were nomads, but now in the 21st century there are KNOWmads.  Wow, could I identify with that one.  Check it out and see if you fit the definition of the 21st century KNOWmad!  Cool concept.  Are you a KNOWmad?

All alone and private? Not!

Yes, indeed.

So you recall,  we have the "pent house" with a view that is way above surrounding homes and it overlooks the bay.  The only thing we see when we rise in the morning is a hindering of the top of palm trees and distant pristine water in the bay.  Our doors and windows are wide open in anticipation of the breeze to enter.  Who would want curtains drawn to detain any air movement? No need to create privacy, we've got it!

Not!

One morning, I woke in our master bedroom to the sound of some "chopping" noises.  As I sat up in bed, I discovered a man hanging in the palm tree chopping the dead fronds and some coconuts!  Oh yea...the gardener was right there!  Can you imagine?  

I missed the photo opportunity that morning :(  but, the next day he was at the neighbors which we also view from our room!  I think we're all trimmed up now!

Here's what I mean by looking out our window.   See his arm....

Learn more about Puerto Vallarta...

Thinking about visiting Puerto Vallarta in the future?  Here are a couple of web sites and links to give you a taste of what there is to discover!  Take a peak:

The  Wednesday Night Art Walk

 www.vallartaartwalk.com

Newspaper on line in English

www.vallartatribune.com

Newspaper on line in English

www.banderasnews.com

Real Estate Listings - the multi list

www.banderasbay.com

Fun in paradise with Grace...

While on the windy beach in Bucerias, Grace and I were checking things out when all of the sudden we spotted this...

No, it's not Randall monkeying around, but a local  grabbing a coconut.  They serve them here you know for just a couple of peso's.   Or, you can climb and get your own.

Just chop the top off , put a straw in it, and you'll have "agua de coco"! 

Okay, I'll admit sometimes I'm not paying attention.  While visiting the beach in San Pancho, also known as San Fransisco, I admired the beading work of this Huichol Indian women and bought one of her necklaces and earrings.   Anyway, I went back to take a picture of her for my jewelry blog. 

Check out the box! lol :)  Little did I realize at the time that I got her, the jewelry and the baby!

An arch to paradise...

One afternoon Grace and I went on a shopping spree.  Well, we found the candy store in Puerto Vallarta.  I guess every good town has one, huh.
Just gotta love the food and the company!

Graffiti by Randi !  

Our new dwelling has real Mexican charm! Take a look...

Here are a couple of pictures featuring our new casa that is nested up on the cliffs in an area called Conchas Chinas with a birds eye view of most of the Bahia de Banderas (the Spanish name of the bay where Puerto Vallarta is located).  I'm quite glad we had to make the change in habitat now that things are done!  It's quite different from the gated house golf course community and puts us at the other end of town giving us a novel perspective of the city.  The views are spectacular and, a real Mexican charm is spotted throughout the house.

Our walk-in closet window view of the bay...
Austin doesn't have his own private office anymore to do school but I think this will suffice!

Several of these throughout the house with many gorgeous stain glass windows.

One of three full size bathrooms that look pretty similar.
Randi's bedroom terrace with view to our end...
Dinning room view to terrace...

Looking up the mountain from our pent house patio...
As we approach the rain season in a couple of weeks, anything that is dry and not dead will be drenched and green again!  The mountains that surround us will be clear to see with luscious foliage to admire.  I hope we are here to see the change.  Our plans are to depart in late June leaving Puerto Vallarta for the states to visit with friends along the way north to Montana.

Tomorrow I'll post about our most recent visitor from the states.

E News on Puerto Vallarta

Want to know what's going on here in Puerto Vallarta?  Get the scoop with this excellent on line NEWS source:  Bahia de Banderas News

No Swine Flu in Puerto Vallarta!!!

Don't worry.  Not a single case here!  Check out this you tube clip...

Bad news :( turned into good news!

Packed it all up again.

Movin on out...

Well sometimes we just need to learn lessons the hard way.  Unfortunately, we can't always just trust one another.  Get things that matter in writing.  Then, there's no "misunderstanding". 

About a week ago,  just when we were all "settled" into our new casa, my jewelry was finally all unpacked, my beads were ready to be strung so to speak, we developed our daily routines, our second round of guests were here when all of the sudden, the BAD news came.   Our landlord, Rolland, who owns the home, calls me to let me know that they, he and Trinny, will not be able to extend our contract one additional month as he had verbally confirmed they could.  You see we SIGNED the contract for exactly 2 months.  Loved it.  Decided why not stay just one more month? So we asked several weeks ago.  "No problem," said Rolland.  Trinny(the real estate agent who is also Rollands' wife) said, it was okay according to Rolland.

Rolland called it a "misunderstanding".  I call it lying.  Going back on your word.  And, watching out for what's in your best interest.

The good news is this.  Lesson learned.  And why dwell on it.  I just didn't want to pack, move, unpack and do all that stuff over again so soon.  And most of all, I didn't want to spend the next week shopping for a new home!  So, I pulled up all my saved files on places we had already visited.  At the top of the list, was one that we wanted to book but we were hours too late.  Some one just booked April at the time.  So, I called the real estate agent hoping it was available for May 6 to June 6.  YES!  Problem solved.  We signed the paper work.  And here we are.  All packed up, moved, and unpacked.  Just a little more housekeeping to do!

I hope to get some pictures done tomorrow.  Stay tuned.  I'll post them right here.

More family visitors here and gone...

Well shortly after Brian and Shelly left, we convinced my Dad and Lou to come for a visit.  We visited our favorite beach in Sayulita, ate out at the Happy Lobster and at Victors in the Marina, made some impromptu meals, went on the art walk held every Wednesday night down town, and spent some lazy days just enjoying our view of the golf course poolside.  Dad was entertained by so many "green" golfers(spending well over $100 US)  and the Mexican golf etiquette on the course. 

We enjoyed this view one afternoon during happy hours...

Dad spotted some great ears hoping they'd work better!

Wondering along the malecon we found these interesting art pieces.
Langosta Feliz, the happy lobster restaurant, tucked away in a "locals" neighborhood is where we enjoyed a wonderful Mexican feast along with "a special coffee" made table side.