December 9, 2009. Mexico. Art Galleries.

We saw three wonderful pieces of art today, but we came home empty handed. Puerto Vallarta used to be a sleepy little fishing village, but not any more. Now it is full of hustle and bustle and cars and tourists. But they have retained the old historic section, along with the cobble stones and narrow streets and ancient construction. I like to go there because people live right in the town, upstairs from the stores and restaurants and some times right next to the stores and galleries. While ambling along the sidewalk you can look into the living room or the court yards. It is hotter than in Nuevo Vallarta where we live, but we like to go there anyway, at least every now and again.

Today our plan was to visit sixteen art galleries. Wednesday evenings, these galleries conduct an art walk. They provide a map and serve wine and snacks, and stay open until nine o'clock, hoping that people will come by and purchase art. We picked up a brochure but did not wish to go at night, so today we made our own tour. Ken thought the galleries would not open until noon, but we left by taxi and arrived at 11:15 to find the first one open. It was fun, visiting each gallery in turn, seeing the art and chatting with the gallery owners.

After nine galleries, we needed a break which turned out to be a mistake, as the galleries close at two and re-open at five!! Stupidity in action. "Fusion" was the restaurant we chose for lunch, but had we known the galleries were soon closing we would have delayed lunch. Instead we walked along the Malecon/boardwalk, then headed home in a cab. The art world in Puerto Vallarta is alive and well and we enjoyed our day, except we did not buy a thing.