Today’s post is 1275 words, 24 photos, a 6 minute read. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
This week I’ll take you on our last walk on the beach, to the Arts District in Puerto Vallarta, and introduce you to Mexico City. If you missed my previous posts on Mexico, click here, here, here, here, and here.
A Walk on the Beach
It was our last full day in Puerto Vallarta. The next day we would fly to Mexico City where we’d pick up an eight-day tour. We spent some of the day washing a load of clothes and packing our suitcases. When those chores were done, we went for our last walk on the beach. The day was overcast and a bit on the cool side, at least by Puerto Vallarta standards.
The weather didn’t stop the usual number of people out for a walk. What we didn’t see were a lot of families and kids, schools were back in session. We see a few people fishing in the Bay, it didn’t look like they were getting much action.
There was a fellow at one of the resorts that was coming back from a sail on the Bay. He looked like he was having a good time.
A tour boat filled with people was headed toward the Malécon and Old Town. The passengers were likely from the cruise ship that was in port at the marina. The second photo is their destination. 
Water vessels were the photos of the day, the one below with the Puerto Vallarta skyline in the background.
And here’s one last photo of the condo complex where we stayed with friends. Our lodging was in the building in the far background. It was a very enjoyable visit, we’ll be back next year.
Vallarta Art Walk
Every Wednesday evening from November through June, the Art District holds the Vallarta Art Walk. From 6-10 PM the many art galleries are open and welcoming to locals and visitors alike. 
We asked the taxi driver to drop us off near the first gallery on the walk, Gallery Barcelona Tapas. This gallery is both an upscale restaurant and a place for art. The gallery was on the top floor of the building. The open air stairway was a great place for photos of adjoining buildings. We were on the edge of Romantic District, also known as Old Town. These photos show where the other half lives, likely workers in the many restaurants, bars, and shops in the district.
Even thought it was a week after the beginning of the New Year, there were still Christmas decoration on display as well as the family laundry.
Neither my Traveling Partner nor I have seen this sign for a long time. We both remember the F.W. Woolworth variety stores from our youth, her’s in Dickinson, North Dakota, mine in Bismarck. I mostly remember the lunch counter with stools covered in red vinyl that swiveled around, just the thing to get a mischievous boy in trouble. Woolworths was a good place to eat, cheap and quick. The waitresses were all dressed in starched uniforms.
Woolworth stores in the United States closed in 1997. The stores in Mexico, 36 in total, were bought by a large retailing group and are still in business. There were a lot of people going in and out of the store. It wasn’t the art walk kind of a crowd. We didn’t go in but I wondered if they had a lunch counter.
We stopped at six or seven of the art galleries on the walk. There was a lot of modern and edgy art, paintings, and sculptures. Some of the pieces were interesting, some were weird. But hey, the artist made me look. Some of those staffing the galleries explained the art, others ignored us. We were just looking.
The Café des Artistes along the Art Walk Route is one of the most interesting buildings I’ve ever seen. It’s so creative, there’s a lot to look. For some reason, it wasn’t open that night. If it was, we might have tried if my wallet could have withstood the damage!
Pipi’s
Early in our walk from gallery to gallery, we passed the long line waiting to enter Pipis a Mexican Restaurant known for its huge margaritas. The line was mostly gringos from the US or Canada. People in line said this is their favorite place to eat in Puerto Vallarta.
After we had enough walking around and needed a bite to eat, we returned to Pipis. There was no longer a line and we were able to get seated immediately.
We both ordered margaritas, for me a mango, for my Traveling Partner a virgin pineapple. Both were huge and quite delicious. While we were waiting for the waiter to take our order, a fellow came by with a tray of avocados, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and lime juice. Yup, he made guacamole right at our table. That and the chips and salsa about filled us up.
The place is loud. There were several large groups, all having a good time, talking loud so they could be heard over the din. The mariachi band went from table to table, playing and singing loudly. 
After Pipis we walked the few blocks to Malécon to walk off the food we just ate. Again, we saw the statute Nostalgia that depicts a couple gazing out to the sea.
Not far way, the Voladores de Papantla (translated as the Dance of the Papantla Flyers). It’s hard to describe, I’ll give it a try. Four men, climb a 100 foot pole spin around on ropes attached to their legs as they descend to the ground. There is ritual that goes with the guys spinning away. Click here to learn more and if you are on Puerto Vallarta, don’t miss it.
The Trail to Mexico City
Our time in Puerto Vallarta ended too soon. Like I said before we’ll be back. After a good breakfast and a farewell to our friends, we hopped in a taxi for the 10 minute ride to the Puerto Vallarta airport. There we’d catch an Aeromexico flight for a 1.5 hour journey to Mexico City. To be truthful, I was a little skittish about flying a regional airline in a foreign country. Maybe it was all those stereotypes about Mexico that I gathered over the years. After this trip, many of them have been banished to the trash bin. Our flight was fine, the staff were courteous and professional. There was a little turbulence the last 15 minutes of the flight but nothing out of the ordinary. 
After landing, it was a long walk to the baggage claim area. We were met by this young woman from G Adventures by National Geographic. She and a driver took us to the hotel where we would stay the next five nights. Unfortunately, I didn’t record her name. She was so pleasant fun to chat with during our 45 minute ride.
Our lodging in Mexico City was at the Alteza Polanco in one of the nicest parts of the city. There were restaurants and shops close by, everything we needed for a good stay.
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and its largest city with a population of about 22 million people. It’s also the largest city in North America and the second largest in the Western Hemisphere after San Paulo, Brazil. Mexico City is also a leading financial and cultural center in the world. Like a lot of Mesoamerica it has a long and turbulent history with Aztecs, the Spanish colonial rule, and the Mexican Revolution. For the next few weeks, I’ll take you on a tour of the city. We were there five days and barely scratched the surface. Click here if you want a head start.
Until then, happy travels!
Tom
PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM