Exploring Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Our adventures took us to a beautiful secluded place, far back in the jungle. As we drew near, we read a sign that said a Shaman lived there, and we needed to be quiet and respectful.
Due to the reverence of the location, we were surprised to find how brightly colored it was painted. Murals in a rainbow of colors covered the walls.
We admired the creativity.
Each of us were told to pick a stick of bamboo with colored stripes and a feather, from a basket that the Shaman was holding.
As we quietly walked we were to meditate and think of something significant we wanted guidance in or wanted to feel peace about, and then at a certain point, we were to push the bamboo into a special place that would be shown us, into the earth.
As we crossed a drawbridge, we could smell fresh tortillas being cooked…
A building on the other side opened up into a beautiful place to eat and rest, and a woman stood pressing tortilla dough, then cooking the perfect rounds on a hot pan. We were told to eat to our hearts content.
Just above her and off to the side, was a stationary bike which had a blender attached to it. If they wanted to make a smoothie, someone had to jump on and pedal to make the blades turn. Genius!
Brightly colored signs marked the way,
and a beautiful little girl with equally colorful clothing and beaded jewelry, watched us gringas with great interest!
A man dressed in leather and feathers emerged from behind some rocks, and blew into a conch shell,
and was soon joined by an older man who carried a smoking bucket of burning sage and a handful of plants, which he waved up and down as he melodically chanted. The rich smell of herbs filled the air.
During this time the little girl wandered into the stream and watched as she held her dress high above the water.
We enjoyed a beautiful, peaceful afternoon in the shade and resting our feet in the coolness of the water.
When we finally returned to town, we wandered along the Malecon for a while.
The Malecon is a mile long stretch that runs along the beach, down town Puerto Vallarta. A wonderful breeze constantly blows off the water and cools the never ending sweat on our faces. At one point the broad path crosses over the river, where people often come to swim during the day.
In several areas, human statues sit perfectly still, hoping for a small tip,
and many gorgeous bronze statues stand tall and proud, ready for photographs.
Some of them are fountains…
Each town in Mexico has the traditional large lettering name, where visitors flock for pictures.
Huge arches stand as a backdrop to an amphitheater across from the town square, framing the Hotel zone of Puerto Vallarta in the background.
A crowd gathered right at sunset to listen to and watch the traditional Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the flyers), where dancers launch themselves from a 30ft pole, and spin while hanging upside down and playing flutes. The ritual was originally presented to ask the Gods to send rain in times of drought.
We continue to love Mexico and her people. We love where we are staying in La Aurora, where taco stands lines the cobbled streets in the evenings,
and everyone is humble and friendly. The world has much to learn from the people here…they know how to laugh out loud, take good naps, make and eat delicious food, work hard and love their families. Life is good, and the adventures continue…
Adventures of a Tribe 
April 23, 2019 at 10:07 pm
Belinda, everything you write and show us in pictures is priceless!!! Dad and I went to Puerto Vallarta on our honeymoon, and were in a mountain hotel, so we didn’t know about all the wonderful things there were to see there! Hopefully we will get to see you and the kids soon, we miss you so much!!
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