She Said...

Our neighbors to the north are boasting about their recently-instituted policy of promoting low density developments, preserving their environment, and the zillions they received in investments this past year. On the other hand, our side… well, what can I say?

Talking about cities that compete for the almighty tourist dollar… Cancun, one of Puerto Vallarta’s competitors, has a new motto: «Paradise has a name. It’s Cancun.» Now don’t get me wrong. Where would we be if we all had the same tastes? It’s good that there are different strokes for different folks. But I’ve been to Cancun a few times over the last seventeen years, on both pleasure and business trips. It’s not my thing. True, Caribbean water is unparalleled, crystal clear and turquoise in color, but I love our mountains, and there aren’t any around the Yucatan Peninsula. Besides, I don’t feel safe in a place that is in the direct path of so many hurricanes. Besides, just like us, they have to battle the sometimes deadly Aedes mosquito that transmits that dreaded disease – dengue.

And then there’s Rio de Janeiro, different country, different continent. Rio has lost over 10 percent of its tourism due to dengue! The authorities there are scrambling to eradicate the Aedes that transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else. These unwanted insects live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Our Mayor recently submitted a proposal for Puerto Vallarta to be included in Mexico’s federal program for the prevention and eradication of dengue. He said that through this measure, this town’s battle against dengue will be strengthened with resources that will enable it to raise the educational level of the community with regard to preventive steps and control that may be used to eradicate the disease. That’s all well and good, but in the meantime that swimming pool behind our place is still filled with disgusting, green and slimy stagnant water ...and no one is doing anything about it – despite all the complaints that have been lodged against its owners.

There was other heartwarming news too. My colleague, Osvaldo Granados, wrote a fascinating article on the 126 schools in the Vallarta region whose students will be receiving eyeglasses courtesy of the Department of Public Education of the federal government. The program’s motto is «ver bien para aprender mejor» (see well to learn better). It aims to test all the kids and give glasses to those found to suffer from myopia, astigmatism, and similar ophthalmologic deficiencies. Unbeknownst to me, the program has been running formally some 9 years now. Bravo! Now that’s a good thing.

More good stuff: A few years ago, I wrote about the sculptures of Jim Vitale that were exhibited at the restaurant that is today Barrio Sur (great place with great food & service, by the way). This artist picked up all sorts of débris on the beach, and turned it into the most delightful, whimsical pieces you could imagine. Well, I just learned that Jim will be having another exhibit of recycled Mexican materials, entitled «Art Chairs».

The artist says they’re «whacky, clever, even comfortable, and yet always distinctive!» If you’re curious to see those beauties, they’ll only be shown one night: this Friday, April 25th, starting at 7 p.m., at Don Oxford’s Casa Divisadero at the Villa Tizoc condos. That’s the one with the cable car we see from the road leading to Mismaloya, but you can call for directions, 223-2980. I can’t wait to see them.

I accompanied my daughter to the Botanical Gardens last week because she wanted to attend the Photography workshop there. It always amazes me how the place just keeps on growing and improving, becoming more and more beautiful every time I visit. This was her first time there, so we ended up spending double the amount of time planned at the outset. She just kept walking around the grounds, exclaiming little sounds of delight every time she came upon another exotic plant… Don’t forget folks, it’s Earth Day this week, so if you haven’t visited the Gardens yet, here’s a perfect opportunity to do so! (See Joy’s article in this issue for exact info as to the time for the celebration.)

After the workshop, we went to Vitea for dinner - for the second time in two weeks. Boy, those boys sure know how to prepare some real gastronomical delights, Mediterranean delicacies, both there and at Trio, their original restaurant.

It’s also International Book Day on the 23rd. Here’s your trivia for the week, dear readers: Did you know that both Shakespeare and Cervantes, the great Spanish writer, passed away on this day? How strange.

And how strange is the sudden change in temperature in our paradise (as opposed to Cancun’s)? I actually turned on our ceiling fan for the first time this year. And the one at Santa Barbara’s on Bingo Night too! All the cobwebs were blown away.

Talking about Santa Barbara, I want to take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes for a prompt recovery to Bill, the light man for the Kenny and Dolly show that had to be cancelled due to his illness. The man is in quarantine because he has the measles! I also feel bad for all the people who won’t get a chance to see that delightful show.

And I feel even worse for my friend Brenda Martin. Her case has been the number one story on both of Canada’s national TV networks last week. The judge was supposed to render his decision on Monday. He didn’t. He told Brenda that he would do so last Friday, but he told the media that he could take a whole month if he wanted… What? He hasn’t had enough time to review this farce of a case yet? Incredible!I’ll tell you all about the Seder dinner at Café Bohemio next week. But for now, let me close by wishing everyone a most Happy Passover, filled with myriad good feelings, lots of loving and lots of sharing! Hag Sameach and hasta luego! pvmom04@yahoo.com