Author: Marcia Blondin

Yesterday, I wandered over to Nacho Daddy to play bingo for the Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic because I thought it would be quiet, and I needed to see if my voice would still function after not seeing humans again for a couple of days. Did I ONCE get a chance to yell “Bingo!”? Of…

How was your night? Intimate and warm? Raucous, noisy and fueled by alcohol? However you decided to greet the New Year, I hope you are home safely reading this. Welcome to 2025! I think it’s going to be wonderful start to finish with new projects, a whole passel of new people who are bright and…

The last day of the year and I have two key things on my agenda – buy broccoli and see my doctor at IMSS. Just to order annual blood work; I am a few months overdue. I have said this before – if you want to fill every seat in your venue, bring in Effie…

I heard yesterday that Peter Oudman sadly passed away in Calgary on Saturday. If you ever attended any Pasitos de Luz Riverfest celebrations over a dozen years at El Rio BBQ Bar, you would have met him at some point. He and his wife Teena, were responsible for building Casa Connor, the castle-like rehab facility…

Ten days ago or so, I had the real privilege of auditing an improv class at the Arte Vallarta Theater. The class was led by two very funny Canadians, Karen Parker and Diana Frances, fresh off their sold-out run – Leave it to Cleavage – at the same theater. Eleven students took part in the…

Day Three of Solitude and work, and except for the water delivery guy, I have not been face to face with another human since Monday. I have gotten so much done. Lots of editing and scheduling articles for Vallarta Mirror. Lots of food. I am overflowing with abundance and gratitude for all of it. I…

I can hear wrapping paper being torn apart from here! Not really, but Merry Christmas everyone! My neighborhood is blessedly quiet this morning after a monumental posada last night that went into the wee hours of the morning. I think that’s why Mexicans celebrate on the 24th so that they can sleep all of the…

So, one more week remains in this entire year. They do go by fast, don’t they? And, the older we get, the faster time flies because we are rapidly running out of it. That’s a reminder to do everything mindfully in case it’s the last time I get to put rum in Santa’s egg nog!…

Happy Winter, everybody! And while winter is not celebrated as ‘happily’ for the most part up north where they actually have to live in it, winter in Vallarta is a sheer, unadulterated joy because it means money pouring into the city with jam-packed planes dumping thousands of people (and their money) into Vallarta so they…

Happy Friday, everybody! Enjoy today – the last day of Fall and Winter starts tomorrow. It is another thing to celebrate here in Mexico in December and I am going to a private gathering to do just that. In Vallarta, we have the first 12 days of the month devoted to the Patron Saint of…

I was a few minutes late to Qulture for Scrabble, and one of our new members, Ronnie Lee, and I played for the first time. Look for Ronnie’s affectionate look at the final day of the Guadalupe processions, which will be published in Vallarta Mirror soon. Two more games ensued with nemesis Sharon Gerber, fresh…

My house is so quiet, not that she ever made a lot of noise, not at all, but my sister is gone. Patrice is back in Canada, and I am home alone with Bogie, who is also missing her presence in our lives. It’ll take a day or more to get used to walking everywhere…

Casa Yvonneka was resplendent with over a hundred people gathered on its multi-levels of luxury to raise money for Vallarta’s street dogs. Yvonne Kalman, dueña of the casa, in black sequins and Frida Kahlo-like hair accessory, held court, smiling and welcoming her guests to the 9th annual Frida Fiesta overlooking the city. Cocktails began the…

Last Friday, Le Bistro on the Isla Cuale took center stage once again for the annual Membership Drive and Welcome Back Party for the Vallarta Garden Club. The event sold out with so many snowbirds and semi-permanent residents here to escape the winter in more northerly climes. Heartfelt hugs were shared in every corner of…

Oh, the blessed quiet this morning; today, La Virgen de Guadalupe can sleep for the first time in 12 days, and so can the rest of us. The church bells ring again at the appropriate time of the day, and, with luck, the munitions master and his bombs have moved on. Thank you for this…

Yesterday was one of those cannot-do-anything-wrong sort of days starting at Qulture and winning three straight games of Scrabble. I then joined my sister and our friend Sharon (who leaves today for the frozen north) at PuRR Project Bingo at Nacho Daddy. I won one game AND the 50/50 drawing of cash. After a quick…

Sunday brunch is a rarity, and I look forward to overindulging once or twice a year, perhaps in one or two food groups that present themselves in superabundances. Certain brunches specialize in specific food, music, ambiance and the one we chose, Hacienda San Angel, is close by, a magnificent old mansion designed by Freddie Romero…

The three of us stepped off the new bridge onto the Island into peace, quiet, and beautiful surroundings and walked a few steps to the commanding entrance of the recently restored Le Bistro. We weren’t starving, just wanted something light to eat before our long walk to Arte Vallarta Theater at the top of Olas…

What a rare treat yesterday’s lunch was! Sharon, Patrice, and I taxied up that wicked hill in Colonia 5 de diciembre to Intimo Wine Bar & Restaurant, tucked smack in the middle of Costa Rica street. Owners Kimberley and Carlos took superb care of us as we tucked into a corner of Íntimo, bathed in…

Our Scrabble Tournament and Colina Spay and Neuter Bingo took up a big chunk of yesterday afternoon. I prevailed in Scrabble, much to Sharon Gerber’s consternation; she will get over it! Bingo was one of those frustrating “I only need one more” to be undone by someone in the crowd at Nacho Daddy gleefully yelling…