A QuickTrip to the U.S.

I spent most of the week in Los Angeles visiting Carol after I went to a U.S. AT&T store to get a new U.S. SIM card and have it activated in the U.S. so I could keep my old number and plan. Well, of course they up-sold me to a new plan and added in a few things. But at least it's working as it should now. While I enjoyed the indolence that comes with a total lack of responsibilities, I enjoyed getting back to Mexico and its happy, friendly people.

I got a lot done in the few days I was back, including getting the survey to the insurance company and getting a policy written so I'm covered now. I also completed final touches on the air conditioner install, as well as contacted a welder and a language school in Guadalajara. Still don't feel settled in yet. I'm looking forward to catching up on projects and exploring more.

Landing at Los Angeles through the June gloom

After having spent some 9 months in Mexico where you quickly learn to look where you are going, I had to laugh at the scary warning signs that greeted me as I walked through the jetway to re-enter the United States.  Boy those 1/8-inch high beveled metal strips are treacherous!

First order of business was getting my phone issues resolved.  It took about an hour, but I got it done.

As usual, LAX was a crowded madhouse

Waiting to board the completely full plane.  Ahhh...the glamour of travel!

Not surprisingly, we left 20 minutes late.

I always pass this interior decoration store on the way to and from the airport that has some pretty wild stuff.  Look carefully and you will find things like the 6 foot tall silver high-heeled shoe above the truck in the center of the photo.

It took a bit of doing over a couple of days, but I got the survey printed, signed and to Novamar Insurance

Craig, the President of Novamar, personally printed out my new policy in their Puerto Vallarta office.

With hardware brought back from the States I added the ability to lock up the cabin while the air conditioner is in place.

It can be secured from inside or outside.

Lazy pelicans waiting for a handout from returning fishing boats

This snowy egret was at the side of the river within 75 feet of the main highway through Puerto Vallarta

This bird was similar to a dove, but no ring on the neck and it had a crown of feathers on top of its head.  Anybody know what it is?

In the time I was gone this tree exploded with bright red blossoms

Circumventing Phone Hell

I spent way too much time wrestling with frustrating problems trying to get my new phone to work for the second week.  The bottom line:  I need to get a new SIM card in the U.S. and activate it using a cell tower located in the U.S. in order to keep my current number and service plan.  So I got on a plane yesterday and arrived back in L.A. last night.  As soon as I'm finished with this post I'll go to the nearest AT&T store and see if I can finally get my phone working the way it should.  Stay tuned....

With the many bus trips I made into Puerto Vallarta to the AT&T store, I was able to squeeze in a little more exploration of the city.  In the process I scored several pitaya, a cactus fruit that I learned about from reading a book about an Englishman's walk around Baja.  They are much more fragile than the intimidating exterior would have you believe.  Mine were squashed by the time I got them back, but still tasted good.  Very unusual and hard to describe flavor.

I'm also starting to get acquainted with some of the few cruisers who will be around at least part of the summer.  It's a pretty exclusive group.  Hope I don't get too lonesome!

This is the Cafe des Artistes, a famous restaurant and art gallery.  It was one of several participating in Restaurant Week in Puerto Vallarta.

La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadelupe from the hill behind it

Another less famous church

El Mercado de Emilio Zapata

The market is patronized almost exclusively by locals and few ex-pats

The well in the inner courtyard is used for getting water

One of several fruit and vegetable vendors

I was able to get the last three pitayas from one vendor.  They are available for only about a month, and go quickly.

This is the pitaya cactus that grows wild and is also grown commercially.

Other unusual finds included Manta Ray at a fish vendor

Nearby were typical clothes and souvenir vendors

This tile wall surrounded a school

The Margaritagrill

The famous panga pier in the Romantic Zone

The poster says "In this paradise there is no place for trash."

Wonder why they are called green iguanas?

Because the babies are bright green!

Flowers like this are all around Paradise Village

This poor puffer fish was probably a casualty of the red tide

Dinner with Paula and Wags at the Fajita Republic

I removed all my instruments to prevent lightning damage from thunderstorms.

Completed air conditioner installation

The step is sturdy and looks acceptable

Having been in Mexico for months where you are expected to look where you are going to avoid the ubiquitous holes and hazards, I got a kick out of these warning signs on the jetway being the first thing I saw stepping back into the U.S.