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October 1, 2003, ISSUE 41
News and Features about Puerto Vallarta on Mexico´s Gold Coast
Tips and Topics on Living in Your Own Dream Location
[Go to the Archives]
CONTENTS:
· WELCOMING THE NEW SEASON
· DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
· HELP WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL PHONE BILLS
· CLAUDIA NERY SPECIAL OFFER
· THE ADZINE SCENE
· GOODBYE TO COMMON SENSE
WELCOMING THE NEW SEASON
We had a wonderful summer that was not too hot, lots of lovely soft rains to bring the surrounding jungle to its greenest, beautiful sunsets, no hurricanes or windstorms, and our only regret is that so many tourists do not come during this season, so the stores and hotels are empty. This is the season when you get the great sales and discounts on many things. Now everyone is eagerly awaiting the "high season", stores are being remodeled and new ones are opening, plans are being made for all the cultural and gastronomic events of the season and all are hoping for a huge influx of visitors.
The Old Town Art Walks will start on October 29th with 12 participating galleries, and most will feature Day of the Dead exhibits or collectives. Judith Ewing Morlan will have her traditional group of altars at the gallery on Miramar, which is now a cooperative effort of 7 artists. The new Art Walk invitation/gallery guide is a beautiful color brochure with a page for each gallery. Be sure to get one at any of the 12 galleries--Galeria Uno, Galeria Arte Latinoamericano, Galeria Vallarta, Galeria Corona, Judith Ewing Morlan, T. Fuller Gallery, Galeria Pacifico, Galeria de Ollas, Galeria Corsica, Galeria Arte Popular Mexicano, Judith and 7 Mas, and welcoming Sergio Bustamante to our group. Dates are Wednesdays, 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 29, Nov. 12 & 26, Dec. 10, Sat. Dec. 27, Wed. Jan. 7 & 21, Feb. 4 & 18, Mar. 3 & 17, 31, and April 14.
The Marina Art nights have expanded to include decorators, so you will be invited to Marina Art-Decor Nights with an outstanding group to be announced next issue. Dates to mark on your calendar are: Fridays, 6 - 10 p.m. Nov. 28, Dec. 19, Jan. 23, Feb. 20 and Mar. 19.
Other dates to mark on your calendars--Special fundraiser party for the R.I.S.E. orphanage at Casa Isabel--Feb. 22, annual charity ball fundraiser for scholarships--Beca Ball Sat. March 13, 2004. Tickets available at Galeria Vallarta.
If you are in town on Oct. 19, there is a special flea market for benefit of R.I.S.E. at the Park in Caloso (past Los Arbolitos Restaurant, over the bridge and to the left) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donate anything you don´t want to help a family in distress and for the orphanage. Call Brenda Martin at 222-1451, 10-3 for more information.
Some cultural events in October:
Oct. 3, Concert featuring d´Rachel and Trio, Los Mangos Library at 8:30 p.m.
Theater presentation--"Apenas son las cuatro" Centro Cultural Cuale, at 7:30 p.m.
For information on more events not yet listed call 226-8080, ext. 178/120, Municipal Dept. of Culture.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS - DAY OF THE DEAD
Many people ask about the proliferation of skeletons and skulls in the Vallarta shops and are curious about celebrations for Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Actually preparatons begin the end of October for All Souls Day when spirits of the children, called "los angelitos" are expected to return on Nov. 1, and All Saints Day on Nov. 2. The historical roots of this celebration date back more than 3000 years to the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico. It was believed that only in dying a human being was truly awake and the soul was set free. The All Saints Day celebrations of the Roman Catholic tradition brought by Spanish colonizers date back to the 1500s when Dominican friars mixed their ceremonies with indigenous traditions. In Mexican Catholicism, the Dia de los Muertos celebrations help the dead remain part of family life, maintaining good relationships so the dead will intercede and bring food and fortune to the living. It is a day for honoring beloved ones.
Altars set up to honor the departed are set up at grave sites, in homes, around City Hall etc. displaying images of patron saints, photos of those family members who have passed on, their favorite foods, and flowers such as marigolds, baby´s breath and coxcomb. Petals from the marigolds are scattered so the dead can find their way back. The altars consist of four levels and four sides, representing four stages of life, the four points of the earth, the four seasons and the four mathematical points upon which the pyramids were built. The four principal seeds used by the Aztecs were tomatillo (green tomato), cacao, chile and corn, the four elements of life--water (the conch shell), fire (candles) earth (flute) and wind (conch shell). Traditional altar offerings are tamales, salt, sugar, bananas, papel picado (cut paper) skeletons, atole, oranges, a glass of water, beans, sugar skulls, religious items, personal mementos of the deceased, and "bread of the dead", a sweet, egg rich round bread made especially for this day. Now when you see the grinning skeletons or skull masks, you will understand more about the Mexican traditions.
HELP WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL PHONE BILLS
Check this out! Over 500 permanent and part time residents, as well as commercial businesses have found a way to minimize the high cost of international long distance telephone calls. An American company, Access Network Services, provides quality long distance services at .26 cents a minute to the U.S. and Canada, anytime, from your home, cell or fax phones. No minimums required, no monthly fee, no set up charge. 800 services available as well. Interested? Email: icedmargaritas@earthlink.net or phone toll free from Mexico--001-877-384-0903.
CLAUDIA NERY OCTOBER SPECIAL!
Many of you remember Claudia Nery´s exquisitely detailed and thought provoking paintings, with her unique style using mystic symbols in brilliant colors, utilizing mixed media, oils, watercolors or colored inks. She is one of Galeria Vallarta´s most important artists, and she has offered an amazing special only for my newsletter subscribers. She is preparing for 2 expositions in Galeria Vallarta, and several exhibits in other cities, so she needs to sell a number of her existing works to prepare for her new shows. We have available 10 original works on which she has authorized a 30% discount from the regular price, and 15 recent works on which she will give a 15% discount. This offer is good only through October, so please request email photos and prices right away so you can start or add to your collection of Claudia Nery.
You can pay for online purchases with PayPal, which is the easiest and most secure way to make international purchases. If you do not have an account with PayPal, you can set one up at http://www.paypal.com.
THE ADZINE SCENE
BEACH CONDO FOR RENT:
Centrally located near all the best restaurants and shopping. 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with completely equipped kitchen, terrace overlooking Los Muertos Beach, living/dining room, maid service. Pay no more than for a nice hotel room and you have room for family and guests. Daily, weekly or monthly rates. Email: JMarkEnt@aol.com for information and reservations.
SPECIAL COLLECTION OF LITHOGRAPHS FOR SALE
Great values on all or part of collection of Latin American masters. Raul Anguiano, Arnold Belkin, Alfredo Casteñeda, Francisco Zuñiga, Carla Rippey, Daniel Kent, Benito Zamora, Alejandro Colunga, Leoncio Villanueva, Antonio Ramirez, Trinidad Osorio, Fernando Pereznieto, and more. Email CanvasPrints@GaleriaVallarta.com for photos and prices, mentioning your favorite artists.
HOUSE FOR SALE IN RINCON DE GUAYABITOS
Ideal for home and workshop or bed and breakfast. Large home with 3 B.R. 2 1/2 baths, living room, dining room, large kitchen, pantry, patio, extra rooms for workshop or convert to more bedrooms. Fruit trees, near beach. Information webart@prodigy.net.mx or 322-222-0290.
WANT TO STAY IN BUCERIAS?
Check out Casa Tranquila for a homey, reasonably priced place near the beach. Call Patricia or Joann to make a reservation at 01-329-298-1767 or visit their website with some fantastic photos at: www.casatranquila-bucerias.com
GOODBYE TO COMMON SENSE
Please join me in saying goodbye... Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend by the name of Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valued lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn´t always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don´t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids are in charge).
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. The report of a six year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Finally Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled it in her lap and was awarded a lot of money.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers--My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION:
About Living Your Dream is by free subscription to our own mailing list. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to WebArt@GaleriaVallarta.com with "subscribe or unsubscribe to Dream" in the subject line. If you would like to place an ad or submit an article, please contact Barbara Peters, Galeria Vallarta, Juarez 263, (322) 222-0290 or at WebArt@GaleriaVallarta.com
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