Moscota with our Mexican friends and family

Mascota is a small Mexican village located as the crow fly's east of Puerto Vallarta and nestled in the Sierra Madre on an old back road to Guadalajara. We were so excited when the opportunity came up to travel there with our Mexican friends and family from Puerto Vallarta. Alvaro and Monserat made the arrangements for us to stay in what they called a cabin. To me it was more like a house!

Monserrat and her grandmother prepared a delicious Mexican feast for us upon arrival.

This molcajete you see below was given to me by the grandmother. I told her I had been shopping for a good authentic one at a great price. What a generous gift that I will cherish!

Delicious salsa was finished in no time.

Here's Alvaro and Dente, the 10 month old boy, who's first word was AGUA (water). LOL

Grandmother and the grandfather came along to so that the grandmom could visit her family in town where she was born and raised.

Monserrat and Randi

A laid back trip where some relaxed and some went on the ATV's in the mountains. We visited the remains of a 125 year old cathedral put together with egg whites, catus juice, tiny pieces of rock combined and used as "mortar" along with huge chunks of volcanic rock. Yes, behind the church in the distance is a volcano.


It's one thing to be a tourist and have the opportunity to see things from a distance but I find it to be more meaningful, intimate, and interesting to experience a culture from the inside with wonderful local friends. Thank you Alvaro, Monserrat, and family for your wonderful hospitality and friendship.