Monday, January 26, 2009

Rio Nexpa is the love of my life

Hi friends,
Im spending the next week at this wonderful, beautiful beach called Rio Nexpa. The internet is slow and expensive, so this will be quick.
I am surfing, relaxing, eating great food and spending time with amazing people, including my co worker Allan. I hope you all are well and you can look forward to a longer post in a week or 2...or 3...

Friday, January 23, 2009

the first two bodies of water I swam in...

I arrived to Puerto Vallarta around 4 pm yesterday, which seems like a decade ago. The flight was easy and smooth. I got to chat it up with some awesome ladies from Spokane and a flamboyant Mexican flight attendant.
I got off the plane, put on my flip flops and walked out to taxi drivers hollaring at me. I ignored them and hopped on the shwankyest looking bus that went in the direction of the hostel. The roads, cars, stray dogs and trash looked like most latin american countries I´ve been to, and then I saw Walmart ( This is awful!!). The hostel was very nice and everyone there was super friendly. I took a short nap and went out for dinner. Looking around I noticed that every 3rd person walking down the street was either a gringo or Canadian, usually over 50 years old! The Mexicans all assume my Spanish is very limited or non-existent and speak to me in English. When I respond in Spanish they don´t usually know what to do and continue to talk to me in a Spaniglish mix. It´s been a fun experiment and my Spanish is coming back quickly.
After dinner I went back to the hostel with a plan to fall asleep. I was almost asleep when my 2 suite mates asked me if I wanted to go dancing. Randomly enough, one of the girls was from Halfway, Oregon which is a tiny town we went through on our way to the Snake River this summer. My friend Brain grew up there and his adorable parents are still there. Small world.
So, I went dancing, but not just any dancing. This was a gay club with a swimming pool. Random, yes. I was with my 2 suite mates, Stefanie and Jeanne, and Dan from Isreal (none of us are gay). First we went to a different place, not knowing that we would be experiencing the entertainment of two Mexican male strippers... They were not very attractive and sort of clumsy, although I think any male stripper looks a little clumsy! We had enough, and went to the swimming pool place. We danced, swam and had a blast. The beauty of these places is that men didn´t hit on us, they just sort of laughed and danced and grabbed each other´s asses. It was awesome.
This morning I got up and said goodbye to all of my hostel friends. I was very ready to leave Puerto Vallarta. It is far too big and touristy for me. I took the bus to Melaque, a small beach town. It is cute and cheap and every Canadian goes here to die, I am convinced. At least they are less amnoxious than Gringos! On I go to Rio Nexpa tomorrow....

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

On my way to PDX

It is the day before my little adventure. Saying goodbye to my home is always difficult. I am ready, yet hesitant to say goodbye. My first stop is LAX where I will eat some overpriced bad lunch I am sure, then hop on the plane to Puerto Vallarta. My plan as of now (might change at any time), is to stay in a hostel for 1 or 2 days, then travel to Rio Nexpa beach. From there, we will see.
Wishing you all a safe and fun winter. I am not sure how much I will update this. I guess it depends on the internet availability and how much time I want to spend on computers!
Much love,
Rachelle