Counting Down to Christmas in Vallarta
Happy one month to Christmas! A sobering thought that includes winter and New Year’s Eve mere weeks away. The only sad part about it is that my sister Patrice will be back in Canada, happily with her menagerie, dealing with the snow and cold.
We celebrate each trip she makes to Mexico with a bus ride south of Vallarta to the Botanical Garden and to visit with Bob Price, the founder and curator, and a dear friend for 20 years, since the Garden’s inception. He joined our table for a rare and cherished hour or so.
I finally got to see the repository of the 300+ books Madeline Milne hauled off for me last month. The Living Room Bookstore and Cafe is sitting pretty on Calle Colombia 1377 at Guatemala, less than half a block from the bus stop. The classy, deep gray exterior with bright yellow striped awnings sets the tone for an inviting interior full of books, of course, and all kinds of other small, hard-to-find specialty items, great for gifts and for you!
Madeline’s partner, Jose, has devoted himself to learning about coffee and made me an espresso with an intricate flavor as complicated as a fine mezcal. I took home a small bag of the ‘honey coffee’ from Oaxaca. The LRBS gets its coffee roasted to their specifications a couple of times a month, just a few doors down at Cafe Oro Verde.
A few bistro tables are strewn about the two main rooms, walled with books, and invite conversation with a companion or a deep dive into a gently pre-read Lee Child to make sure you haven’t read that one before you buy it. There is a small open-to-the-sky garden where you can enjoy a light breakfast, a pastry from Oh Croissant (French and Fabulous!), a sandwich, or a smoothie. Charlie cheerfully serves everything. Wandering through all of this is darling Cora(zon), Madeline’s dog, who is happy to lie by your feet and be adored. Clearly pet-friendly, and with free WiFi. Remember, the Living Room Bookstore is open every day but Monday from 8 am to 4 pm. Buy or trade your books, and keep your eyes open for special events coming to their 5 de diciembre location. If you are in the Marina, stop by Calle Timon by the lighthouse and check out the original.
Are you a fan of Celine Dion’s voice? If that’s a resounding yes, then get over to The Palm every Friday at 5 pm to listen to Mariana Vigueras in a sincere tribute to the Canadian superstar. In my opinion, Mariana has a better voice than her heroine, reaching those signature high notes with utter ease and without a trace of strain. With some work, this show could be as iconic as the Lady Gaga or Beyonce Tributes, both of which currently sell out weekly at The Palm Cabaret.
Sam Smith Tribute at Coco Cabaret tomorrow at 9 pm. Join me for this Chris Lopez smash hit.