Wednesday October 20

Time to do some errands to get them over and done. Free up more time later! Talked with Denis here at BTM, got a phone calling card so I can maintain contact and headed through Old Town. Chatted with a couple employees at La Palapa and firmed up date and time for next week. That is such a fine, beautiful, clean and friendly place to stay, right in the center of activities. Cafe Centro is having staff problems so is not open except for their supper club. No lunch there today. Decided to check out La Ronda: Benjamín Torres' local favorite secret since 1994 serving very reasonably priced Mexican family recipes as pollo mole rojo 68p, chiles rellenos 52p, snapper in garlic 72p, ceviche 48p and Mexican plate 98p, chicken marsala 72p and carne asada 78p. Eclectic whimsical décor and attentive service by Sebastián. Needed to connect at Mama Dolores Diner where the new paint and remodeling have brought more life into this wonderful popular place. Talked with Tim of Toronto and made plans to return for Sunday turkey dinner. They have got a great venture going here! Mentally made plans to bring a couple groups of friends by later in the trip.

Needed a refreshing dip in BTM's remodeled pool and the moderate water soothed my muscle aches. Quiet here for the most part, but wait until the calendar page flips to November! dressed in my best tropical wares and met up with nearly 20 'allvallarta' people at CyC for sunset drinks. Jovial group and just super connecting a face and person to a user handle and name from the Internet. Oh, so you're...!!! This group has more plans for the next 21 days than one person could possibly do, so it is pick and choose. All of us ventured over to one of my local faves, La Piazzetta, where a long table had been assembled and we ordered whatever pizza or pasta we desired. Three mariachis met up with us from the beach and later Jorge serenaded us, followed by his partner Lenny so they dueted. Several of us purchased one of their several fine CDs. Highlight was 20 gringos singing along with them to Hotel California! Group gradually broke up and I had to get back online for a while then back to BTM and worked offline.