The Malecon of Puerto Vallarta

Malecon is the word the Spanish use for a cement embankment and walkway along the waterfront in a seaport city. Puereto Vallarta has an especially neat one. The walk is lined with bronze statues. Some are figures that represent the sea but many don't. Posters tell of upcoming events. Frieda Kahlo is represented frequently. Between the walk and the sea is a narrow area of sand. Young men make large complex sand carvings. When the big cruise ships are in the Malecon is filled with tourists strolling along doing some shopping and enjoying food and drinks.

Bright colors of Mexican Street Art

One of the pleasures of walking the streets of Puerto Vallarta is the unique and colorful street art. Plaza and allies offer a variety of media subject, although much art is devoted to the indigenous peoples.

Note the profiles of this elderly couple. Look closely and you will seem them as young lovers.

Indigenous Mexican celebrate the skeleton. I loved this portrayal of man and his best friend.

You can also see this in the dapper and fancy skeleton Calaveras, skeleton statues dressed as if for a ball and the sugar skulls we see at Day of the Dead celebrations.

Los Ninos de Mexico

Az Buddy in Mexico with family

Spent Spring Break with the family in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. On the Pacific coast, it is our week by the sea get-a-way.

These photos, with the exception of the boys in the giant fig tree, are from the Botanical Gardens south of the city. PVR is a port city on the Bay of Banderas but lies up against mountains with jungle like foliage. A city bus takes us south to the Boca Tomotalan where a river meets the ocean. Then we take another bus ride up into the mountains.

The trip is worth it to have a nice hike, a great meal, and see lots of birds and flowers.

Family members are Grandsons Collin and Nick,

their Mom Sue and Step Dad Patrick, Grandpa Ralph and photographer Grandma Az. Buddy -Maggie.

Az. Buddy has gone to Mexico.

Az. Buddy is off on vaccaciones in Puerto Vallarta for a week with family for our ocean fix.

Not taking computer but will take camera to collect this years photo journal.

Cowboy Weekend

Had a true western weekend. It started with me trying of 3 pairs of cowboy boots; all that I own. "Ouch"

How could I ever have spent any time walking in them.

Good donation to the Animal League shop.

Went to see Igor and Big John, the jazz cowboys at the

Placita Del Sol Amado Territory Ranch.

Great show. Their music is reflected in their name.

Igor is formerly from the New Christy Minstrels. Don't miss them the next time they come around. And check out their web site.

www.igorjazzcowboys.com

Then in the evening we were invoted to a real hoe down at Li'l Abner's in Northwest Tucson.

My niece, Diane was celebrating her 50th B.D. And more importantly the completion of chemo and radiation treatments for breast cancer. The night started with line western dancing including lessons. Thank heavens I had discarded those boots. Then a great meal with relatives and friends followed by more dancing.

Li'l Abner's is place everyone in Southern Arizona has to go at least once a a great place to take visitors. Wee went several times when we first moved to Az. many many years ago. I was great fun to visit there again in such special circumstances.

It was a real Yippy Ki-A day for Az. Buddy.

Lost Boys of Sudan

The Lost Boys of Sudan are the more than 27,000 boys who were forced to flee their homes and villages when government forces invaded southern Sudan.

Orphaned or separated from their families,

these boys were called"LostBoys"by the aid organizations that

worked to resettle many of these refugees. The name refers to the lost boys in the story of Peter Pan.

I just finished a class in Olli where we were told their stories by two young men, Chris and Martin. The class was organized by their "Mama" Noel, a retired U.of A. professor. There are a large number of Lost Boys living, working and going to school in Tucson.

Their journey lasted many years as they walked from their villages across Southern Sudan, first to Ethiopia and then to refugee camps in Northern Kenya. They endured thirst, starvation and attacks by lions and crocodiles and drowning when they had to swim the rivers. 2 million died. In the camps they were safe but lived years waiting to be resettled in Australia, Canada or the United States. The camps were meager but they did go to school, learning English and mathematics among other subjects.

In 2001 about 38,00o boys were settled in about 38 cities. After 9/11 relocation was halted until 2005.

Two documentary DVD's available are"Rebuilding Hope" and "Lost Boys of Sudan".

Numerous books have been written about the lives and experiences of these boys, now young men.

I recommend 'WHAT is the WHAT" by Dave Eggers. This is the story of Valentino Achak Deng.

Eggers spent many weeks learning Valentino's story- It is Deng's autobiography written as a novel.

photos from Google Images