Farsighted Fly Girl

I know this totally looks like an arranged scene but I was lucky to grab this classic shot of a paleta  vendor relaxing in the Puerto Vallarta sun. The vivid colors of the hammock and dress, accented by the perfect, sun-blocking tilt of his hat makes this one of my favorite travel images this year. I think it showcases the appeal of Mexican culture, from the traditional textiles and importance of entrepreneurs, to the natural tropical beauty, all in one snap.

Puerto Vallarta is small town with lots of charm and beauty, both natural and manufactured. Besides the Sierra Madre Mountains which surround this former fishing village, my favorite spot was the malecon , or boardwalk. You can see the serene vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and the coral-colored cobblestones above but what about those whimsical sculptures? They may look like characters from a Dr. Seuss book but these metal marvels actually serve a purpose. They're chairs! They sizzled from the sun beating down on them but it was still fun to lounge on these practical art pieces. Puerto Vallarta's malecon  was filled with art so I'll be exploring more of it in coming posts.

This week, I will be traveling to the Mexican state of Jalisco to explore the traditional culture of Puerto Vallarta. This beautiful coastal city is not only famous for its resorts, but it's also where the mariachi musical tradition started and I'm excited about exploring some of that history. I'm also thrilled about the chance to experience a temazcal ritual. A temazcal, pictured above, is an indigenous steam bath and purification ritual. I'll  be visiting the island of Las Caletas and witnessing a traditional dance and musical performance to top it all off. Stay tuned for posts about my Puerto Vallarta experience as well as a round up of my TBEX highlights!