Puerto Vallarta, México
Trip Start
Mar 15, 2008
1
6
8
Trip End
Mar 22, 2008
Puerto Vallarta,
Mexico
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The first order of business was purchasing a bandana. This was an absolute must as the terrain was dirt and the dust was very heavy. Anyone like myself with any sort of respiratory problems would do well to not only wear a bandana but also wet it to help filter even more of the dust from the air.
Next we stood in lines according to our ability level. It was also to our benefit to be completely honest about our riding abilities as this determined which horse we rode
Beachfront cabanas and palms
. The more advanced horses were more touchy and needed a stronger rider to control them. I have ridden a number of times in my life, but there is usually a period of years between them and very modestly claimed beginner status. This put me on a slow moving white mare who did her own thing, but thankfully allowed me to go along with her and not get bucked off or run away with me in tow. :) The trail took us through the country towns just outside the hacienda and the people live very simple lives in small shelters made from many different types of materials. The striking contrast was the shiny new satellite dish attached to the outside wall of the shelter. The children played together at the arcade and the workers were enjoying a game of soccer during their lunch break. The people seemed content with simplicity of lifestyle and we might do well to consider this in terms of our own happiness. Buying stuff doesn't make me happy, spending time with people I care about makes me happy.
After departing from the main road we found our way to a trail that led us through a river. The horses carefully made their way across the slippery riverbed and thankfully none lost their footing, though one in front of me almost did. Several of the horses didn't like each other and would try to bite each other, but thankfully that was also dealt with by simply keeping the two horses at a greater distance.
Eventually we came to a parcel of land that had an outdoor "bar" operated by the landowner
Been there!
. We were permitted to use the toilet facilities and they were essentially the bathrooms in the family's home - sans a door and with children playing on the porch right outside. Down the enbankment from the home we were allowed to ride one of the horses bareback in deep water. Today is really hot and sunny and the horse really enjoyed making these trips into the water to swim. He was lead by one of the rancheros on a lead and the rider grabbed some main to hang on and steer with. The water was deep enough that most of the riders were up to their shoulders in the water and the horse would swim in a U shape from one part of the bank to another part further downstream.
After relaxing we remounted and headed back to the hacienda. One of the girls on our ride was accidentally given a different horse on her return ride because they looked too similar. This new horse was much more difficult and she had never ridden before, but handled herself well and even enjoyed herself in the end. We shared part of the trail with the ATV's and thankfully the horses didn't spook, the trail dust was thick though - thank goodness for the bandana.
Arriving back at the hacienda we had a bit of time until our bus arrived so we shopped some. Mexicans believe in a different concept of time - they claim it is relative time. A mexican minute is one that may be a minute, an hour, a day, a month or never. Our bus arrived in a minute that took a full hour longer than planned so I arrived back at the ship later than planned
Boats and a lighthouse in harbor
. Thankfully Alyshia didn't wait for me before going to eat lunch. By the time I was ready to go back out and explore Puerto Vallarta with my SLR cameras (I only brought the point and shoot for the ride this morning) she was back from lunch and ready to go as well. We walked over to a market and looked around for a while and then went down to the beach where she laid out and I traipsed around taking photographs.
It is hot in the sun and thankfully I put on sunblock as many people are getting quite burned in the intensity of the sun down here. I watched a guitar player on the beach, parasailers, swimmers, two brothers burying each other in the sand, spring breakers lounging at the surf side bars, and mexicans on holiday from other parts of the country.
It was a fun but exhausting day. I think tomorrow I will probably be walking like a ranchero still astride his horse, but I'm glad that I had the experience.
This was my last day in Mexico, tomorrow we will start cruising back to San Diego. This week is going by so fast, but it has been a blast.
-T
