Viva México!... is the yearly cry from millions of Mexican mouths for 199 years during the celebration of our Independence, starting at 11pm the evening of September 15th. It is an always emotional celebration and an upbeat chance to partake in harmony (although somewhat squashed together) with thousands of fellow Mexicans used to join and respond to the highest government officer, be it in the larger cities or the smallest towns and villages; painted faces, thousands of green, white and red flags, hats, music, traditional dishes, fireworks and much more, fill with color the sites where people gather to participate in this popular family festival with the purpose of showing our Mexican pride and sharing the happiness of being a free country. Viva Mexico!
I was shooting some pictures around the “gringo gulch” area, climbing the hill up Miramar Street, when a young man spotted me doggedly shooting in all directions, he kindly invited me to climb to the top of his grandfather’s house, Don Alejandro García; he told me there I would catch wonderful views of the bay and the parish dome… it was really so! However, what impressed me the most was not the view but the kindness of Don Alejandro, who, upon his grandson’s request to let me in, opened the doors saying: “Good morning, please do come in, this is your home and you can stay as long as you want, you may also come back anytime you wish to take more pictures”. My experience with Don Salvador is precisely the clearest display of the town’s essence, making it stand out as: “The World’s Friendliest City” as Puerto Vallarta was being discovered by the world during the passage of many years. It was the town’s originals of past generations who placed our city in the map of world tourism industry with their kind hospitality. More impressive than our mountain jungle, our spectacular sunsets, the scenery of rocks caressed by the ocean; it is the straightforward hospitality of Vallartenses, always readily saying: “Mi Casa es Su Casa” (My house is your house) with a smile.
I am sure nothing in the world compares with the deep green that during this season floods the mountains that surround and protect us. This summer the heat has been at times so intense as I do not recall before. However, the bounty of falling rain so far has allowed us to enjoy observing spectacular views of the Western Sierra Madre Mountains. Thank God for this season of intense summer!
If there is one thing I enjoy in the middle of a hot and busy day, it is to escape for 20 or 30 minutes towards the Colonia de Paso Ancho; the tour first takes me along some cobble-stone streets bordered on its eastern side by slopes where hundreds of houses of the Colonia de Buenos Aires stand; from the west they are refreshed by the Cuale riverside. At the end of Colonia Buenos Aires one must cross the bridge joining it to Paso Ancho, then after three dusty (or muddy if it has rained) streets to find a sidewalk indicating the entrance to the Rural Studio and Gallery of vallartense painter Ada Colorina, named the “Ambassador of Mexico’s Spirit to the World”. In addition to the relaxation and snack, this time it consisted in delicious ceviche tostadas prepared by the artist’s daughter and niece; the purpose of my last visit to the studio was to photograph her most recent works, commissioned by Mr. Juan Moisés Serna Madariaga —owner and director general of El Meridiano newspaper― who, acquainted with the Vallartense roots of the artist, asked her to paint on a single canvas, a typical and picturesque scene where elements such as: the grocery store, the mill and tortilla factory, the butcher shop, the fishery, the church, the corrals, the school, the houses and huts, the tile and palapa roofs, the suspension bridge, the river, the barges, the fishermen’s nets, the hammocks, the palms, trees and flowers, as well as the donkeys, the goats and cows, the roosters, the hens and chickens, parrots and pigeons, cats, dogs, seagulls, pelicans and piglets, among other species, and of course, the fisherman, the baker, the milkman, the logger, the cowboy, the farmer, the seamstress and the children, among many more, showing the display of simple daily life in a small town where the main activity is sharing what one is and what one has with the community.
All of the works of Ada Colorina are mirrors accurately displaying how, many of our fathers and ancestors lived most of their lives. Her works are a precise remembrance of a way of life without vane purposes but full of intense emotions, the artist depicts them with vibrant colors and impressive hues. I sincerely invite you dear reader, in your next visit to our Puerto Vallarta, to go into Colonia de Paso Ancho to get to know the Ada Colorina’s Estudio Rural & Galería and not to let the chance slip away to immerse in a cultural, artistic and rural experience that will impress you for the rest of your life. The painter’s studio is located at Calle Felipe Ángeles No. 242 in the Colonia Paso Ancho. They are open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Phone: 222-1994. Please visit her Website at: adacolorina.com. If you are interested in commissioning an artistic piece, do not hesitate to contact us at: publisher@pvmirror.com
By a different token, beginning August, Montserrat and I were invited by Amilcar and Carmen to our first society breakfast as man and wife. The venue was a small and quite pleasant restaurant called Luz del Mar, located at the top (fourth floor) of Hotel Suites Nadia, the view of Camarones Beach, the Bay of Banderas and the mountains surrounding downtown Puerto Vallarta, is simply magnificent!. The restaurant is a comfortable corner of Vallarta with good service, good food and fair prices. Hotel Suites Nadia is located on Calle Uruguay 127, in the Colonia 5 de Diciembre. Phone 222-5252. The restaurant is open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
While Reading the Guadalajara Reporter’s printed version, I found the great news that José Hernández, born in California to immigrant Mexican parents, is a member of Discovery’s most recent mission. His feat as NASA engineer and astronaut is to Mexicans a reason for pride; in fact he has become a national hero and was greeted by our President Felipe Calderón. However from my own perspective the main heroes in this real-life history are doubtlessly his parents, who being immigrants, would not let anything interfere with providing whatever necessary so that their son would receive the full needed formation that would motivate and influence him into reaching the position he is now in. Receiving this news as well as a piece of the life of this astronaut with Mexican roots has been a refreshing boost to millions in our country; that is why I thank God for his life and his struggle. Should you want to know more about José Hernández and his career in NASA, please visit: http://www.astrojh.com/
This coming weekend I will be making a business trip to the beautiful port of Mazatlán. I will for sure be profiting from this opportunity to take new and diverse photos of this historic and beautiful Destination in the Mexican Riviera.
I will conclude this chronicle sharing with you that September is also locally known as “Septiambre” (Septhunger), since national tourists have gone back to school leaving our port lonesome and although you start seeing foreign visitors coming, the forecast is a month of low flow of tourism. Though no matter what, it will still be a month of great and significant celebrations and opportunities. This month also marks the official commencement of the preparations for two most transcendental events in our destination: One is the Torneo internacional de Pesca de Marlin & Pez Vela (International Marlin and Sailfish Fishing Tournament), its 54th edition, to be celebrated on November 11,12, 13 & 14. Next comes the 15th Gourmet Festival Jubilee of Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, to take place from November 12th to the 22nd. Both high ranking events will attract thousands of travelers from all corners of the world as they do every year. In October we will give you some bits of the ambiance surrounding the organization of both.
A very blessed month of September… and please remember that: Viva Mexico!
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Viva México!... is the yearly cry from millions of Mexican mouths for 199 years during the celebration of our Independence, starting at 11pm the evening of September 15th. It is an always emotional celebration and an upbeat chance to partake in harmony (although somewhat squashed together) with thousands of fellow Mexicans used to join and respond to the highest government officer, be it in the larger cities or the smallest towns and villages; painted faces, thousands of green, white and red flags, hats, music, traditional dishes, fireworks and much more, fill with color the sites where people gather to participate in this popular family festival with the purpose of showing our Mexican pride and sharing the happiness of being a free country. Viva Mexico!
I was shooting some pictures around the “gringo gulch” area, climbing the hill up Miramar Street, when a young man spotted me doggedly shooting in all directions, he kindly invited me to climb to the top of his grandfather’s house, Don Alejandro García; he told me there I would catch wonderful views of the bay and the parish dome… it was really so! However, what impressed me the most was not the view but the kindness of Don Alejandro, who, upon his grandson’s request to let me in, opened the doors saying: “Good morning, please do come in, this is your home and you can stay as long as you want, you may also come back anytime you wish to take more pictures”. My experience with Don Salvador is precisely the clearest display of the town’s essence, making it stand out as: “The World’s Friendliest City” as 
All of the works of 
I will conclude this chronicle sharing with you that September is also locally known as “Septiambre” (Septhunger), since national tourists have gone back to school leaving our port lonesome and although you start seeing foreign visitors coming, the forecast is a month of low flow of tourism. Though no matter what, it will still be a month of great and significant celebrations and opportunities. This month also marks the official commencement of the preparations for two most transcendental events in our destination: One is the Torneo internacional de Pesca de Marlin & Pez Vela (International Marlin and Sailfish Fishing Tournament), its 54th edition, to be celebrated on November 11,12, 13 & 14. Next comes the 15th Gourmet Festival Jubilee of Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, to take place from November 12th to the 22nd. Both high ranking events will attract thousands of travelers from all corners of the world as they do every year. In October we will give you some bits of the ambiance surrounding the organization of both. 