We Interview Maya Mercedes, the 13 year old Editor of Vallarta Today, an Online Newspaper Serving The Bahia de Banderas, Mexico
Vallarta Today Gives Lovers of Vallarta A Chance to Become Journalists and Advocates for Puerto Vallarta
Clark Curtis Talks About The Condition of The Los Muertos Pier
Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Subscribe On Android Devices
Send Barry an Email
Listen to The Podcast
Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant
on the famous Los Muertos Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with your toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
This week you are in for a real treat you are going to meet Maya Mercedes and her dad
Vallarta Today Contact Information
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vallarta.Today/
- Website: https://www.vallartatoday.com/?fbclid=IwAR2YcDMxp91W66v6OouKncYo6nbUOVSjRX8vKVWyO-4SfX6XXlmC2wueT98
- Email For Vallarta Today: services@vallartatoday.com
- Phone #: +52 322 222 2323
Clark Curtis, both from northern California and they are going to talk about Vallarta Today, The Newspaper of the Bay, an online news and publication that’s news and a whole lot more, and I’m going to let Maya and Clark tell you about it and what it’s like moving to Vallarta with your young family and living in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood. They have great tips and advice, by the way, Maya is 13 and I think the youngest guest I’ve had. Have I had any kids on the show? I Don’t think so. Well you will love Maya but before we get the Maya, Clark and Vallarta Today, let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta the 11th of August, 2021.
Second Doses of Vaccine Administered to Tourists and Expats in Puerto Vallarta
Vaccines are all the rage as the precious vials of happy juice were distributed around Vallarta for the second dose for adults over the age of 60. Almost 22,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccines were administered in 7 different locations around the Jalisco side of the bay. JR got his in Remance, near his house, says he was in and out in 90 minutes, impressive.
Others came to the Naval Hospital like from this article from Vallarta Today….this article
Amidst the locals, hundreds of tourists came to get vaccinated in PV.
The third and last day of vaccination of the second dose of Pfizer’s biologic in Puerto Vallarta concluded in order and without setbacks. At the Naval Hospital, which operated as one of the seven modules set up in the Port, the foreigners commented to this newspaper that they were very happy to have been vaccinated at this hospital, and said they felt very proud to be able to set foot in the facilities of the Naval Hospital. They affirmed that they were surprised that this hospital was a first class facility and was especially well organized and clean. The foreigners commented to the director of the Puerto Vallarta Naval Hospital, Carlos Pizano; “It is an honor to be able to be in your facilities, Captain.”
They continued, “Thank you very much, everything was very fast and they explained everything to us before applying the vaccine, from opening the packaging of the syringe. Everything was new and in the appropriate temperature, and everything was done quickly and very cleanly. We are very grateful, and we came here because we trust you. They checked our blood pressure and asked us questions about our state of health, and we did not feel it when they applied the vaccine. How fast and efficient! Then we went to an observation area where the doctors were checking us to make sure that we were fine…thank you very much.”
VACCINATION PROCESS
It is worth mentioning that a day before the vaccinations began Vallarta Today was granted access to the facilities by order of the director of the hospital, Carlos Pizano Ramirez, and we noticed for ourselves the place was in perfect order. From the arrangement of the chairs in perfect alignment, to the extreme cleanliness of the air-conditioned area, it was an ideal location for the application of the dose. The captain informed that the doses were in a sheltered area and ready to be used the following day, which would have been the first day of vaccination.
People scheduled to receive the vaccine had been called, and were already given an appointment, which ensured that order was maintained at all times. As they arrived, they verified that it was the second dose and that they had marked the application of the first dose, as well as that it was the same pharmaceutical. Everything was registered in computers and was well planned, so the event went very smoothly and orderly during the three days of vaccination.
And I have a link to that article from Vallarta Today, in the shownotes.
With that story I got this email from my friend listener Cheryl. She writes about the email I read last week from a listener, her name was Wyn, and she said I cured her of her insomnia….here it is…
Got such a kick out of your listener who said that they would fall asleep partway into your Podcasts. It happens to me too, buddy! I think it’s your very warm and soothing voice, but I always have to back up the podcast and listen to it again.
She continues… Jim, “her husband” and I received our second vaccine of Pfizer yesterday at the Naval Hospital. Our hats are off to the Mexican government for providing we ex-pats with the vaccine. Hats off also to the Naval Hospital who was extremely organized and friendly. With both vaccines, we spent about 2 1/2 hours in the entire process, much less than what other people experienced. We were seated either in shade or AC. We have friends in the US who are still waiting so very proud that México delivered!!
She finishes …See you in May.
Cheryl
So, proof from real boots on the ground. Great job Mexico in delivering the jab! Excellente!
Vaccines were not recommended by the way if you had …
- Having suffered COVID and you have not yet recovered (count 15 days after the last symptom)
- Live with any type of immunosuppression
- If you have severe allergies
- If you received a blood transfusion, application of blood products, treatment with plasma or antibodies against COVID-19 in the last 3 months.
Cheryl and Jim have introduced me to some great interviewees over the years and thanks for the email Cheryl, see you and Jim in a couple of weeks. I’ll buy the margaritas.
And with all this Vaccinating going on around here, aside from people feeling better about getting out and enjoying life…I don’t remember if you recall what was the impetus was of the birth of the Vallarta Food Bank, but it was Jimmy’s realization that the seniors in his neighborhood who worked as baggers at the super markets were told to go home and isolate, and had no form of income and were going hungry. Remember that? Well, with the vaccinations seniors are being allowed to return to work as baggers…here’s the article from Milenio Digital…
Older adults vaccinated against covid can return as ‘little matches’: Inapam
Mexico City /08.04.2021 14:36:14
Older adults who have completed their covid-19 vaccination scheme , that is, who have both doses , can voluntarily restart their activities as packers in supermarkets and self-service stores.
This was considered by the National Institute of Older Adults (Inapam) in a statement, in which it indicated that it must be in accordance with the provisions of the epidemiological traffic light of each state.
According to the agency, there is no objection to older adults resuming their activities, but clarified that it should be in an orderly and gradual manner.
What are the measures? Among the Inapam recommendations for the return of the elderly are: Have both doses of the virus vaccine . Not having had any respiratory illness in the last month. Mandatory use of face masks at all times , which means that they must be worn when leaving home, during their stay in the store and while returning home. Give training on the correct use of sanitary measures to avoid contagion. Install a sanitary filter as a temperature measurement and use of antibacterial gel. In addition to frequent cleaning protocols. Avoid crowds during checkout waiting times with only one person on duty.
At the beginning of March of this year, the government of Mexico City informed that it will grant economic support for 2,200 pesos to the elderly who worked as packers. The lists of the workers who benefit will be published on the official pages https://www.trabajo.cdmx.gob.mx/ and https://www.sedeco.cdmx.gob.mx/ , in addition to the Secretariat Government may provide this information by phone, text message, WhatsApp message or email.
https://www.milenio.com/politica/inapam-adultos-mayores-volver-empacadores-supermercados
And I have a link to that article in the shownotes.
So welcome back you baggers. Make sure you tip them. It’s the way they make money. Markets don’t pay them so they work for tips.
La Joya del Tuito Hotelito Calling it Quits
Last week I told you I was going to talk about businesses being affected by shut downs and scarcity of customers. Our friends Jessie and Matty in El Tuito have decided to put all their efforts into their restaurant and put on hold their Bed and Breakfast…let me read Jessie’s note…
Friends and followers of La Joya Del Tuito Hotelito, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our beloved LJDT. We’ve decided to focus our energy in growing our new Restaurant, Provecho. We have made so many wonderful friends in our almost 6 years doing this wonderful business, some of you have even become family. We cherish our wonderful memories with each and every one of you.
What does this mean for the La Joya Del Tuito brand? Do not worry my friends, you’ve not heard the last from us. Over the next couple of years we will be purchasing land and building a brand new cabana style destination. Stay tuned for bigger better things. When the sun sets on one thing, it rises on another. Salud! Go easy my friends!!
So it’s not the end, just a time-out…we all should be used to that by now shouldn’t we?
Jesse and Matty just did an expansion on their new restaurant so they are concentrating on this endeavor at least for now. And the food at Provecho is so good. Stand by for the new and improved digs…and by the way, I will be bringing you another bed and breakfast in El Tuito in a couple of weeks, we will be talking with Arancha, remember Araccha from Babel Bar on Isla Cuale? I tracked her down because I told you she was working on a project in El Tuito? Remember? Well she has a beautiful place in El Tuito called Hotelito Jardín del Tuito, by Babel. It’s gorgeous. I sat with her last trip in January and you will be hearing about her beautiful place really soon.
And Jose Chamaco Castillo, our private driver in Puerto Vallarta is heading up to the states….here’s a note from Jose…
It’s with a heavy heart that I must inform you that my wife and I have made the decision to move back to the United States. I will miss seeing familiar faces year after year. The people I have driven and met are not just clients, I consider you part of my family. I will miss you all mucho! Please remember that exploring is not a task to be completed, it is a lifelong journey. Take care my friends and wishing you all the best in the years to come!
So bummer. Guess I need to interview a new guy, or gal… Next month I’ll locate a good substitute, but going to miss you Jose. Everybody who ever used your services, at least my listeners thought you were the bomb. Every last one of us.
Listener Marty if you recall sent me an email asking what I thought of his plan to fly from Chicago O’Hair to San Diego and cross the border and fly out of the Tijuana Airport to Puerto Vallarta, saving literally hundreds of dollars.
Well he has another idea I thought I’d share with those of you who fly out of the Chicago Area….
I’ve come up with another option for our May trip.
Right now our nonstop flights from ORD to PVR run from $684-782 per person. We usually pay $450-525.
I’m looking at some alternatives, including a flight from ORD to Mexico City, an airport I last visited 20 years ago and was severely underwhelmed! However, I can fly to Mexico City from ORD, stay overnight at a Holiday Inn Express near the airport, and fly to PVR the next day for $235 per person, hotel included.
Returning is better since we can make connections in Mexico City (5-hour layover to give us plenty of time to switch airlines) and not stay overnight.
My only concern is the flight from PVR to MEX on Viva Aerobus, an airline I know nothing about.
With the difference in rates with this plan, I can afford better tequila!
Marty Juel
A little update on my options. Flight from ORD to MEX on Delta is $183; $193 on United. Flight to PVR from MEX is $55; Return from PVR to MEX on Viva Aerobus is $47. Flight from MEX to ORD on United is $176. Total (not including the hotel in Mexico City, Holiday Inn Express for approx. $60) will be $460-470 per person. Unfortunately for us, we have an $846 credit to use on American, so it appears we’ll have to use that credit, resulting in a wash. We do get two direct flights, though. I’m going to keep this info for next year, perhaps extending my time in Mexico City a few days.
Marty
So, these are great options for some of you who are thinking about making a trip, but maybe want to save a few dollars, well, a few hundred dollars. Thanks for the tips Marty.
As far as activity on the ground in Puerto Vallarta, Theaters, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, massage parlors, strip clubs, everything is open with protocols in place. Proper spacing for distancing in restaurants and theaters. Not sure about the masking and social distancing in the strip clubs though. I’m not sure how that works. Maybe I’ll have to do some research in May. We’ll see. Public service, you know.
The Covid traffic light was supposed to change to green during the Easter weekend but although the light went verde in Nuevo Vallarta, in Nayarit, the light remained Yellow in Puerto Vallarta. We will see how conditions are next week. Maybe we will go green baby.
Okay, let’s get to the interview, shall we?
Vallarta Today, The Newspaper of The Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
There are a number of news publications on the Bahia de Banderas. I read from at least a couple of them every week, and one of those is Vallarta Today.
The editor of Vallarta Today is a 14 year old young lady named Maya Mercedes. Maya will tell you how she became the editor of Vallarta Today in a couple of minutes and you will hear a story about Maya’s Dad Clark’s moving his whole family from their home in California, to live a simpler life in Mexico.
So let’s go right now to the rooftop restaurant in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood, on the corner of Calle Bolivia and Honduras, one of my favorites, Menos Place, and let’s meet Maya Mercedes and Clark Curtis from Vallarta Today, the Newspaper or the Bay….
Listen To The Podcast
Thank you so much Maya and Clark. The adventure has only begun right?
We will be following up about the pier over the next few weeks, actually the next time I’m in town next month. I have pictures of the corrosion and other issues in the shownotes.
And if you would like to be a contributor to Vallarta Today, check out the links provided and get started!
Vallarta Today Contact Information
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vallarta.Today/
- Website: https://www.vallartatoday.com/?fbclid=IwAR2YcDMxp91W66v6OouKncYo6nbUOVSjRX8vKVWyO-4SfX6XXlmC2wueT98
- Email For Vallarta Today: services@vallartatoday.com
- Phone #: +52 322 222 2323
Okay, that should do it for this week,
Next week, stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and more. Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I depend on your questions and suggestions about all things Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.
And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through him, right from his website. Remember the value for value proposition. His experience and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else so do it. Really. And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.
And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy for you to do just that with each episode I create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there. I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.
Thank you so much to Maya and Clark. I love their story and we can learn so much from them and their experiences. Remember if you would like to become a contributor to Vallarta Today, the Newspaper of the Bay and help bring your favorite parts of Puerto Vallarta to the rest of the world, you can do it. Maybe it’s a favorite restaurant or day trip or bar or charity. Write a story. I have links to do that including links to the classes you can take that lark and Maya talked about…all in the shownotes.
And thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos!
Listen To The Podcast