When a dragonfly meets a firefly in Puerto Vallarta

I recently wrote a blog to the class of 2021 advising grads to start an Emergency Travel Fund -just in case someone invites them somewhere cool. Well, that is excellent advice. Because guess what? My girlfriend recently texted: “Hey Paula, do you want to go to PVR with me on my 48-hour layover?” (She’s a flight attendant, and PVR is airline talk for Puerto Vallarta.) Since I’ve been recovering from an injury and feel like a firefly stuck inside of a mayonnaise jar, I immediately replied, “Si, por favor!”

I have only been to PVR once, and I confess, I never left the resort. I’m known to do that on my tropical layovers. I get really lazy in the sun. But, there’s nothing lazy about my girlfriend, Lisa. Lisa is a bolt of energy. Good, positive energy. 

We met 28 years ago on the first day of flight attendant training. I sat next to her in class, and we’ve been friends ever since. I love this girl. She’s fun and funny, interested and interesting, open-hearted and open-minded. Lisa is a firefly… flying around the world, dazzling everyone with her bright light.    

That’s the mushy part… here’s the travel part…

It turns out that Puerto Vallarta has a big ex-pat community, which I caught a glimpse of on this layover. Lisa and I never went to the hotel. Instead, we stayed at her (ex-pat) friend’s house, who has an amazing place on the beach. Granted, this was only my second time in Puerto Vallarta, but I think this must be the prettiest part of the city. Their place is located past the old, cobblestoned part of town, wedged between the jungle and the ocean. Where Mother Nature and all her charms are on full display. Lisa’s friends told tales of turtles laying eggs and hatching on the beach, as well as of whales passing by on their annual migration. Not to mention the thunder/lightning storm I was fortunate enough to witness one night sitting on their balcony. (Sorry, I didn’t take a picture of it because I was kind of scared.) 

We packed a lot in during this 48 hours layover… sun, massages, cocktails, even a live performance showcasing the runner-up from Mexico’s Got Talent. (Even though she’s from Panama.) 

We also ate some great food. First of all, how have I lived this long without corn-in-a-cup? We bought fresh corn from a street vendor drenched in cream, cheese, chili, and lime. It was sweet, spicy, bright, and MUY delicioso. 

We ate homemade pasta at a (Mexican) Italian restaurant. Unexpected, and really good.

Also worth mentioning were the snacks I ate on the beach, such as grilled fish on a stick served with a squeeze of lime and more chili. From another vendor, I bought rice pudding. Yep, you read that right. Some guy was selling homemade rice pudding and bread pudding on the beach. Because who doesn’t crave that when you’re laying out in the sun? Another vendor passed by selling cotton candy and homemade candy apples. I wasn’t on the beach that long, so it made me wonder what other treats I may have missed. 

As a travel blog, I know this is pretty lame. Obviously, I need to go back to PVR. Probably, several more times before I can make any specific recommendations. But, as a general recommendation: Go to Puerto Vallarta. Also: Get out of the resort.

Lisa has invited me on all of her upcoming layovers. Bless her generous heart. Next up… MSP for happy hour with another, mutual friend from training. I guess there are benefits to this inconvenient and irritating injury. Besides, it’s high time for this firefly to get out of the house and let her little light shine.