That's all folks.

Tonight is my last night and subsequently this will be the last blog of the trip from Mexico. I have had a wonderful time here. It has given me a new perspective of life and what is TRULY important to me. People here just don't seem as stressed as we are in the states and I am sure they have just as much to be concerned about as we do if not more. I have realized that there are a lot of things that I can live without, like my cellphone, television and daily drama. It has been a blessing to be able to clear my head on a beach while improving my Spanish. There are a lot of things that will be left behind in Mexico. Worries, concerns and fears. Life is fragile and unpredictable and we have to make the best of the life we are given. Sometimes, you have to re-negotiate the life that you are given and re-evaluate where you think you should be . Make your life YOURS and not the life that you THINK that everyone expects you to have. Just enjoy where you are, while you are there, because you can NEVER get that time back.

Let your conscious be your guide.

I am now the Black Philosopher in Mexico. See what happens when you have peace and quiet. Just waiting on Oprah to discover me and make me famous like Dr. Phil.(lol) Adios.

Chuck E. Cheese Knockoff

There is a knockoff Chuck E. Cheese in Puerto Vallarta. It is Chucky Cheeze(hahahahahahaha) . They have a mouse, they have pizza, they have games, they sell beer, just like the one in the states. This commercial plays every 20 minutes or so and I was screaming with laughter when I first saw it. After two days I was finally able to get snapshots with my camera. I may have to videotape the commercial the next time it plays. I wonder if they have been pursued legally. On second thought, did the states get this idea from Mexico?

El día anterior en Puerto Vallarta.

Today is my last day in Puerto Vallarta and I made the best of it. I decided to give the bus one last chance. Afterall, from the hotel it is only 5.5 pesos. By the way, the current exchange rate is $1 usd = 10 pesos give or take a few pennies. So, the bus is cheap transportation. My main complaint about the bus is no air conditioning, so basically it is like a moving sauna. Ok, I made it to Wal-Mart and all I can say is oh my goodness, it was HUGE. It was a mix of our Wal-Mart, Whole-Foods and Sears. They sell refrigerators!!! They sell Liquor, not just wine and beer like the ones in the US. You can get a flat screen and a bottle of tequila. There was also a full service resturant owned by Wal-Mart. OUTRAGEOUS and there is a SAM's Warehouse next door. After my hour jaunt in Super Wal-Mart, I walked over to the mall. There is another OUTRAGEOUS department store called Liverpool. http://www.liverpool.com.mx/. Ok, they are a one stop shop too. They sell clothes, books, furniture, electronics, bikes, ATV's. liquor, etc etc etc. Went to see Hancock in Spanish which was fun. I sure some things were lost in translation. Oh another bus story. Yes it is cheap, but there is a reason. I had to wait 35 minutes to get a bus back to the hotel . This is why I have not gained any weight after all of the margaritas and ice cream. You sweat off ALL of the calories.

Uno más día en México.

Sólo tengo uno más día en México. Pienso ir a Wal-Mart, no pregúnteme por qué, pero solamente(justo) quiero ver lo que la tienda es en México. También planifico hacerlo a la playa y Melacon para decir ¡adiós! a todos mis nuevos amigos. Realmente he disfrutado de mi tiempo en Puerta Vallarta pero esto es el tiempo para mí para irse a casa. Esto ha sido una maravillosa experiencia y he aprendido mucho. No hay ningún lugar como la casa.

I ONLY HAVE ONE MORE DAY IN MEXICO. I THINK I AM GOING TO WAL-MART. DONT ASK ME WHY BUT I JUST WANT TO SEE THE STORE IN MEXICO. I ALSO PLAN ON GOING TO THE BEACH AND MELACON TO SAY GOODBYE TO MY NEW FRIENDS. I REALLY HAVE ENJOYED MY TIME IN PUERTA VALLARTA BUT IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GO HOME. THIS HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE LEARNED ALOT. BUT THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

Cena fabulosa.

Ok, I just had the best shrimp fajita's at the hotel restuarant. Just had to share that.

Primera noche en el Westin.

Finally made it to the Westin and it is beautiful. I have a great view of the ocean and pool from my room. It is in the Marina and absoultely beautiful. You can see the nightly firework show from the balconey. It is SO humid in Puerto Vallarta, that room has a portable unit to remove humidity from the room. The humidity is outragous. I will not vist PV, during June, July or August. I am told those are the humid months. The temp is about 88 but the humidity changes the feel of the heat.

Noche sobre la ciudad.

Tonight I went downtown with Yamila. She had to perform with the trio and I wanted to walk and meet new people. Parking in downtown is very hard to find. Yamila got tired of looking for parking at parked the car on this steep hill. I promise that I thought the car would roll down the hill and crush everything in its path. When I am sitting people watching; people seemed surprised to see me. I am beginning to wonder if I am just too beautiful or have they never seen a black person. Anyway from the stares I feel like a local celebrity. Tonight a little girl wanted to take a picture with me, which was kinda of funny and sweet. Naturally I obliged I am going to enjoy my 11 days of celebrity hood.(is that even a word?) Today I finally got to see a native tradition. There is a pole that is 200 feet off of the ground and there are 4 men that spin off of the pole and chant and play a whistle like instrument. This ritual initially was done to celebrate the harvest. Very interesting and there is no way I could be paid enough to spin down the pole. As usual, I had un elote y un helado (corn on the cob and ice cream, I am so addicted to both) The funny part is that I have not gained an ounce since I have been here and I have been eating and drinking way more here then I do at home. Maybe it is the heat and all the walking.