Just Another Day of Life in Bucerias

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The days fly by, another week in the memory banks, portions of which will likely be deleted soon.  We were excited to once again see the blessing of the fishing fleet on the beach in Bucerias, as an end to the Fiestas Patronales, January 24^th.  The colourfully decorated boats, crossing the bay in formation, making their way from La Cruz to Bucerias, is steeped in tradition and quite the sight.  One of the boats had some misfortune in the tumultuous surf, but everyone else came to the rescue. The only downside was our decision to take a table at one of the popular beachfront bars. To us, it made good sense; close to the activities to consume a coffee or a cold drink.  We ordered from one server.  All was good.  While enjoying our beverage, along came a second server who advised it was $300 pesos for the use of their beach front table.  We moved on and found another spot where they seemed more in touch with the occasion.

The horses are always a delight to see.  Well groomed, well outfitted.  They obviously love to perform just as much as their riders do!  Their unique angled parking is much better organized than all the cars at your local supermarket parking lot.

Bucerias had a great rain on Saturday.  Just enough to speckle our white car with raindrops in that uniform layer of dust.  The car wash is in my very near future, certainly before we pick up the in-laws at the airport this coming week.  Having lived here for the past few years, we miss arriving to the heat of the Puerto Vallarta Airport for a vacation.  Flying from Southern Ontario requires that you get out of bed in time to be at the airport by 3:00am, no sleep allowed.  This scheduled morning departure gets you into the Puerto Vallarta airport around 1:00pm. 

Picture this:                                

Wow, we just landed. Our vacation is about to begin. Forgot for a moment we are seated in the 27^th row from the front of this plane, the cheapest flight we could find six weeks ago.  The aircraft door opens, everybody is grabbing carry-ons from the overheads. Hey folks, we are about 40 minutes from starting the long walk up the aisle, everybody just chill a little bit.  Wait a minute, they forgot to hand out the tourist visa applications.  Great, now we have to find pens and realize while filling the form against the wall, ink does not run uphill!

We are progressing toward getting out of the airport. We have our luggage. There’s a realization we still have to do that gameshow buzzer thing through customs.  Green light means you are out of here, red light means your luggage is going to be opened and inspected.  You are not going to sneak through on the amber. Anyhow, we pass through the doors and walk right into what we call, ”Shark Alley.”

People hawking taxis, timeshare, tours, and whatever else is sellable, and it’s all right in your face.  Do not make eye contact!  Finally, you’re through the last set of doors as you enter the wide open, public part of the airport.  Find your transportation and you’re off!

By the time you check in at your local destination, you will have been awake and travelling for about the last twelve hours.  It doesn’t matter right?  You have arrived!

We do so look forward to Mike and Diane landing this week.  We have all kinds of plans to soak up time in Bucerias before they move into their Vallarta Marina property. 

They introduced us to Banderas Bay (Bahia de Banderas in Spanish) area some twelve years ago.  Due to that, we now make Bucerias our permanent home.  Muchas gracias, Mike and Diane.