¡Buenos días, mis amigos!

I am writing this morning from the sidewalk in front of Dee's Coffee Company next to the pier in Puerto Vallarta. The birds are screaming this morning!

My early morning walk for coffee was a nice reminder of why I love it down here this time of year. 
It is so green and colorful with the beautiful flora! 
It seems a little old man-ish to be walking in a city as vibrant as PV and notice the flowers, but that is what I have become. This time of year is very festive and the Malecon is decorated for the weekend celebration of el dia de los muertos -- the day of the dead.

Our travel day was long, but easy. We hit the early morning flights because they are generally cheaper, plus you get an extra hour or two in the tropics. We didn't do much once we got here other than to settle into our Airbnb, grab lunch at a familiar and favorite place -- Monzon Brewery, and spend time with the kids.

Typically, Puerto Vallarta doesn't feel like a vacation. It's really just being retired in a different place. I'm generally up when I finish sleeping and I enjoy my coffee, while spending a little time on the Chromebook. It is much noisier here than the quiet of my deck, but it is also much warmer -- 76 vs 38 (24c vs 3c). I'll take wearing shorts and t-shirts and dripping in sweat over bundled in coats any day -- especially today!
Today we'll go to the store and get the things we'll need for a three week stay, and hopefully we'll catch up with a few friends that we have made in previous visits. 
I did have a brief conversation with a couple of guys that have moved here from Texas and a guy visiting from Canada. They were just at nearby tables friendly enough to chat with. 

I have a pretty good life for a fat, old man that grew up in a small town in Central Illinois -- retired, relatively healthy, and financially secure enough to have a nice home and do a bit of traveling. I suppose it is a bit of a bonus to have great kids that live in wonderful places to visit. 

I am sure that there is strife and stress in daily life for people in Puerto Vallarta, but the overall vibe is one of a great community. That incredibly positive energy is one of the things (other than the beautiful flora) that keeps me coming back. 

John