Michael Scummell wrote the latest biography of Arthur Koestler. It is a tour de force of a book. Arthur Koestler was famous in his life time but after his death in 1983, his reputation sunk like a stone, even though he wrote over 30 books, at least 5 considered to be superb. Now I think people are beginning to re-think his works. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the life of this man, even though I did not like Mr. Koestler.
The question is always about productivity and creativity and this book tells a lot about the process. Koestler was born Hungarian, published first in German, and finally wrote and lectured in English, the only author to have done such a feat. He was clearly very very smart but he was also very very difficult. I have never agreed that clever productive people have a free ride on decency but I enjoyed the whole story of how all those works were written. Creativity is a mystery to me. Reading this biography gave me a bit of insight into how things get done. "Koestler: The Literary and Political Odyssey of a 20th Century..." by Michael Scummell is worth reading.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
January 30, 2012. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Pharmacy.
It is right on the corner, just one block away from the Malecon. The sign says that it is a Pharmacy. Every time we are in Puerto Vallarta, we visit that store, so we have gotten friendly with the owner. He is a pleasant and helpful man. Ken always buys antibiotics from him. He heard Ken cough and quickly opened a package of cough drops and gave two to Ken, saying, "This will ease your cough". Ken just said thanks, but in truth, nothing will ease his cough as he has had it his whole life. But this nice man tried to help.
The Pharmacy is in one small part of the store. The rest is full of objects for sale, mainly pewter and pottery. Their pewter prices are the best in town. Mexican pewter is beautiful so I often wish I would buy objects to take home as gifts. We always take friends there, and normally something is purchased, but for many reasons I do not buy anything. That is, until Saturday, when I purchased the Nativity set for Molly. Normally I just admire the objects for sale, so the nice man was surprised and pleased when he actually made money.
It is marked as a pharmacy but actually is a pewter and pottery store, something that is typically Mexican. It is somewhat endearing that the best prices in town can be found in the Pharmacy. Who would have thought it?
The Pharmacy is in one small part of the store. The rest is full of objects for sale, mainly pewter and pottery. Their pewter prices are the best in town. Mexican pewter is beautiful so I often wish I would buy objects to take home as gifts. We always take friends there, and normally something is purchased, but for many reasons I do not buy anything. That is, until Saturday, when I purchased the Nativity set for Molly. Normally I just admire the objects for sale, so the nice man was surprised and pleased when he actually made money.
It is marked as a pharmacy but actually is a pewter and pottery store, something that is typically Mexican. It is somewhat endearing that the best prices in town can be found in the Pharmacy. Who would have thought it?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
January 29, 2012. Playa Royale, Mexico. Puerto Vallarta.
A visit to this old town always provides opportunities to see Mexican culture. We four visited on a Saturday, where no cruise ships were docked, so the town was not crowded. Walking on the Malecon and around the narrow streets you had ample space to wander at your hearts content without losing your friends and family.
The Malecon is beautiful, with even more statues and sand sculptures than before. And the first street is now a pedestrian walk so you was look and stand and walk without being run down by the cars. It is a huge addition to the town. The Indians have installed a permanent pole to do their flying, so on a fixed schedule you can come and see them fly through the air, finally landing on the ground. It is fantastic.
Lunch was lovely at The Island Cafe and we ambled up along the island to see all the shops. Ken remembered the store selling pewter and he actually found it. The store is really a pharmacy with lots of pewter and pottery for sale as well. Ken bought medications while I bought a pewter nativity set for Molly. We were both happy.
Puerto Vallarta is an old crowded town but is always interesting, but we are always happy to be back at our home.
The Malecon is beautiful, with even more statues and sand sculptures than before. And the first street is now a pedestrian walk so you was look and stand and walk without being run down by the cars. It is a huge addition to the town. The Indians have installed a permanent pole to do their flying, so on a fixed schedule you can come and see them fly through the air, finally landing on the ground. It is fantastic.
Lunch was lovely at The Island Cafe and we ambled up along the island to see all the shops. Ken remembered the store selling pewter and he actually found it. The store is really a pharmacy with lots of pewter and pottery for sale as well. Ken bought medications while I bought a pewter nativity set for Molly. We were both happy.
Puerto Vallarta is an old crowded town but is always interesting, but we are always happy to be back at our home.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
January 28, 2012. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Bus Ride.
It was the highlight of the day. The first bus was comfortable and quick. We four walked down to the Mall to catch the bus and soon got onto the bus marked Wall Mart. The driver was steady. After getting off opposite Wall Mart we headed right up to our next bus marked Centro, which would take us right along to the Malecon.
Now this second bus was not luxurious or even comfortable. The seats were hard plastic and the bus driver was far from steady. In fact he drove like a bat out of hell. We passed all the other vehicles and screeched to a stop and rode very quickly over every bump. You had to hold on tight with both hands in order to stay in your seat. I sat forward the whole time to keep from bouncing my back on the hard plastic seat.
Fortunately, that bus was very cheap and it got us where we wanted to go. That bus trip was memorable and a fitting start for our day in Puerto Vallarta. We all four thought the whole thing a big lark.
Now this second bus was not luxurious or even comfortable. The seats were hard plastic and the bus driver was far from steady. In fact he drove like a bat out of hell. We passed all the other vehicles and screeched to a stop and rode very quickly over every bump. You had to hold on tight with both hands in order to stay in your seat. I sat forward the whole time to keep from bouncing my back on the hard plastic seat.
Fortunately, that bus was very cheap and it got us where we wanted to go. That bus trip was memorable and a fitting start for our day in Puerto Vallarta. We all four thought the whole thing a big lark.
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