25F TO 25C THEN BAD CAMERA KARMA

Cold then hot, weatherwise and under the collar! Yesterday was one of those jam-packed days, in this case starting low then hitting highs then back to lows. Our 3:30am wake-up call didn't happen, which was an omen for later I guess. The two flights featured the usual sheep-like immigration lines (slow for the US, fastest ever in Mexico!). I still love looking out the window ---- this time at sunrise on the winglet, the Dallas sports stadia, parched land with artificial lakes, and the sprawl of Guadalajara.

Arriving at Puerto Vallarta was like grinning to see an old friend missing for a few years. Aggressive taxi drivers amazed I can say "No thanks" in Spanish. Decrepit local bus drivers smiling to hear that same gringo wish him "Happy New Year" in his language. Familiar rivers, cobbled roads, and dozens of licence plates. We shlepped our packs the last half km uphill, just like home! Our rental unit is better than advertised --- description later this week. Just felt great to be surrounded in bright colours and happy faces.

Took a walk along the shore through Sunday crowds of gringos and locals alike: the former in green or blue chairs, the latter in the sands and rivers of their hometown. Then two setbacks. First our bank cards were inexplicably refused by several ATM's. I brought enough pesos for a day or so, but a bit of sweat until Bank Azateca coughed up the cash. Much worse was the bad camera karma: I offered to take a picture of a family (of 20!) but my camera got dropped in the handoff. The last picture here proves it still works, but the view window now looks like shattered glass. Every picture is now a no-see um. Damn!!

So today it was out on the streets early to find a gym for my workouts, but also a new camera on short notice ---- the fireworks are tonight!