My Life in Puerto Vallarta… 34 Years Later
On this day, in 1991, 34 years ago, I got on a plane in Vancouver, two suitcases containing my life stored onboard, and flew to Puerto Vallarta to be reunited with the soul that I left here in 1986 after my first bewitching visit. That block of five years was the longest of my life.
I had a standing order with my travel agent to get me down to Vallarta at any time there was a seat sale for a week or 10 days; I didn’t care. The only thing I required was 24-hour notice to get off Vancouver Island, either to Seattle or Vancouver, and down here, where I could breathe salt air and be warm again.
Five years in the making, and the ONLY thing that kept me going day by day was that every morning I got out of bed, went to work, and did whatever was required of me, is that I was one day closer to moving to Mexico forever.
It is 34 years later; it is hard for me to believe my luck that I am still here, growing old in my adopted city that I adore and never want to leave. My gratitude for the abundance in which I live – beautifully warm weather daily, gorgeous beaches, green mountains, the freshest food grown just outside the city limits, and the populace of kind Mexicans and our vibrant and also kind ex-pat community, knows no bounds. I am beyond blessed, and – these words fail miserably, but thank you, Vallarta, for everything you have so freely and easily given me every day of these 34 years – nearly half of my life; I love you.
I was lined up outside Industry before 6 pm last night, eagerly awaiting the start of the Second Annual Vallarta Gay Best of 2024 Awards. I only had an hour as I was seeing Ann Talman at Act2 at 7 pm.
The crowded sidewalk held fascinating conversations with Mikel Joseph Alvarez, owner of Thrive Spas, and Tamale Ringwald, who penned Burlesque, the extravaganza currently blowing everybody away at Coco Cabaret every Tuesday. I explained to Tamale I had not seen the show because of Tuesday commitments until mid-March and was assured they would be performing until April. As I told her, nobody likes Burlesque; the raves have been unanimous that the show is LOVED and one of the best in Vallarta E V E R!
Finally, we were allowed in, and access to the bar, but the door into the nightclub remained firmly closed. Host Alison Lo, currently taking a medical leave from singing, wandered through the crowds greeting friends and fans. The gorgeous Chris Lopez, costumed as Sam Smith, was scheduled to perform, as were The Palm and Coco Cabaret-mates, Maru Prado Conti as Lady Gaga, and Eva Jimenez as Pink.
Time ticked down, and I had to fly up the street to Act2 to see a truly remarkable show starring Ann Talman and I missed everything at Industry! I will have to rely on sponsors Jerry Jones and Jet De La Isla for the list of winners. See you for that on Monday!
What a Drag is coming on March 09, and don’t forget Gouda Gabor’s Birthday Party at Nacho Daddy with Enrique de Allende, Amy Armstrong, and David Maiocco – woo-hoo, on Monday, March 03 at 7:30 pm.
Have a terrific weekend, everyone – let’s share some hugs.