|
| The "Parota" tree
- People and their thoughts underneath its
shadow. |
January
17th, 2004 - Versión
en Español
By The Editor
|
En the area of Banderas bay,
where Puerto Vallarta is located, surrounded by a
dense jungle that covers the West Sierra Madre Mountains,
many natural attractions can be described and appreciated.
Without any doubt one of them is the tree called "parota" or "huanacaxtle".
Since the origin of our town, people have found coolness,
rest, shelter and protection from any drizzle under
this tree.
 The "parota" is
an endemic tree which grows abundantly in median
jungles and along the banks of river-beds in tropical
zones like ours all the way from Mexico to Brazil.
It can reach heights up to 30 meters and its trunk
can measure up to 3 meters in diameter. Due to its characteristics which traditionally
make it resistant to humidity, the tree has been exploited for its excellent
quality wood. En this area it is often used for the manufacture of furniture,
frames, windows and doors. Walking on the streets of downtown Vallarta you
may appreciate its use.
The "parota" being
a very leafy tree which grows fast, is usually planted
by the farmers in the outskirts of the city, in order
to offer shadow to the cattle especially during the
summer. Its foliage has high contents of protein
and is used as an additional source of food for the
cattle.
The many written and verbal
anecdotes provide a testimony that the "parota" tree
has been a leading character in the lives of the people of Puerto Vallarta
and its surroundings. Personally I can share with you that when I arrived in
this city, between 1976 and 1997, a young parota tree existed in what continues
to be the main square. A friend and I used to sit under it talking for long
hours. We were always convinced that this parota tree was a fresh shelter for
us from the sun during the day or a perfect place during the night to converse
about our everyday living and above all, to share our plans and dreams.
 I remember that the idea
of putting up Christmas decoration in town was born
in my mind during those years under this parota tree. I could visualize the
boardwalk decorated with piñatas. I remember that I returned home
that night being very excited on account of my idea and that the next day
I shared it with my classmates and we agreed to carry out the task. The following
year in January my classmates and I received a letter of recognition from
the town mayor, thanking us for our job (labor). It had been the first time
that the city had been adorned with Christmas ornaments. That time a group
of young people made the difference thanks to the shadow of a parota tree.
Parota trees can still be observed in Vallarta and above all in the surroundings
- however not in the same quantity anymore - and believe me the simple fact
of contemplating them is a beautiful and relaxing natural sight, especially
during April and May which is its flourishing period.
During your next visit of our bay look for the shadow of a parota. Besides
offering protection from the sun, it will whisper what you need to hear in
that moment.
The Editor
editor@pvmirror.com
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