Timothy Real Estate

Categoría: Living in Mexico – We Have All The Lifestyle Information You Will Need.

  • Vallarta: Check Out the New Woolworth in Pitillal!

    Check Out the New Woolworth in Pitillal!

    A new Woolworth Store has opened in Pitillal and has everyone excited about bargain shopping at their favorite store that has a little bit of everything.  For serious shoppers, parking in the downtown area can be an issue. Unless you’re going to hop on a bus, which we also highly encourage, the Woolworth located in the El Centro neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta can be challenging to find a parking space close enough for large purchases.

    Pitillal, which is no longer the sleepy little extension of Puerto Vallarta, now has a new Woolworth! Cinemas, Walmart and other new venues have brought changes to this colonia and everyone seems quite happy, with the exception possibly of commuters who don’t travel nearly as quickly on Calle Francisco Villa.

    We remember when Pitillal was not much more than a series of unpaved roads, dozens of potholes and an fun escape from Puerto Vallarta. Now it’s a day trip, which can involve three meals, a movie and some ambitious shopping.  Without losing its sense of traditional and local culture, Pitillal, once the source of precious coconut oil production, it is now a veritable open-air shopping mall encompassed in a barrio. Buses that say Pitillal will obviously get you there or you can take a taxi.  If you’re driving yourself, take Francisco Villa, pass the library and keep going. Another route is to come from the main highway, turn inland at Walmart/Sam’s on Priscilliano Sánchez, and either way, you’ll arrive in the core of this lovely destination.

    The new Woolworth is not the only reason to venture to Pitillal. We have found a variety of great shops with delightful surprises. To name a few…Ángel de Luz, where you can buy candle making materials and supplies; El Perlita, not just a buttons and bows type of merceria (sewing notions shop). At El Perlita, we have found not just craft items to peak the imagination but helpful clerks to give us ideas for new projects.   Perfumería Fraiché is a quick stop to learn how to make fragrances! Fondants is a bakery with extraordinary cakes of stunning original designs. If you’re looking for a cake for a special occasion, this is the place. El Vaquero is where you must go in search of quality cowboy boots, hats, clothing and accessories.

    There are also the usual tiendas found in Puerto Vallarta (or any Mexican town, for that matter) plus fabulous restaurants and taco stands, open a variety of hours. We ‘ve discovered amazing comida corridas in Pitillal, inexpensive three and four course meals presented in small settings. Plan to spend a day; there is so much to see and do. And don’t forget about Woolworth!

    Que es cómo es.

    Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

    We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

    Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

    When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

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  • Road Assistance Has A Color In Vallarta, Green

    Angels on the Road to Puerto Vallarta: Snowbirds are returning to Mexico this time of year and many will be on the path to Puerto Vallarta. Expats who live here during the winter and early spring come from all over the United States and Canada. Each party will claim their chosen route the best, their choice of crossing the easiest, and their method of travel the quickest or most leisurely. They’re all fine as long as you use common sense.

    RV travelers are known to caravan to Puerto Vallarta, stopping in groups, pouring cocktails, and discussing whose GPS system is superior. This is a practical way to travel though it’s not cheap; big rigs require a lot more fuel and can’t zip along quite as fast. What’s saved in gasoline however, can be made up for in cooking on the spot. When you travel with your kitchen, you save money on eating out.

    Pulling trailers behind vehicles calls for twice the licensing and added expenses, such as insurance and equipment, plus extra fuel costs. Minivans are great for stuffing to the rims. When headed to Puerto Vallarta, a car will suffice, as long as you’re not determined to drag along everything from up north, short of that handy kitchen sink.

    What happens to vehicles if they break down on the long journey to Puerto Vallarta? There’s no reason to despair. If you’re experiencing problems, pull over and raise your hood. If you’ve driven the highways of Mexico, you have seen the Green Angels, who park under overpasses along the toll roads; they will come to your rescue.Ángeles Verdes are a government sponsored AAA, the guardians of road travelers, patrolling all federal and toll highways throughout the country. They’re sometimes bi-lingual, though mechanical failures don’t regularly entail language barriers. They will provide first aid if needed and gladly supply everything from cold water to promos for tourist attractions. Chiefly, they will help with your crisis, or tow you to the nearest mechanic. One thing you can be sure of in Mexico is that if you do have a breakdown, someone will phone in your location. You can do it, too, by calling 078 from any phone.

    The Mexican Tourism Ministry offers this service to all motorists, no matter where you’re from, and there’s no charge. They bring spare parts, a variety of tools and friendly mechanics. If you need major parts, that’s your responsibility but they will tow you to the next available service station regardless of distance. Tipping is appreciated and recommended, and the amount is up to you. We suggest generosity in the face of immense gratitude.

    If you read your toll receipts you’ll see contact information for the Green Angels printed at the bottom of every one.

    Que es cómo es.

    Thanks to our guest blogger Adam Garcia for this article! (opionons expressed are his own)
    —————-
    Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

    We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

    Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

    When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate

  • What Color Is Your Angel Puerto Vallarta?

    Our first encounter with Mexican road etiquette took place on a busy street in Zona Romatica, Puerto Vallarta. Returning to our trusty auto, we confronted mechanical betrayal due to the human error of leaving on the headlights. After a somewhat healthy discourse on crucial safety factors while driving in daylight with headlights on, involving remembering to turn them off when exiting the vehicle, we took action. We unearthed jumper cables from the jumble of dog leashes, air pumps for ocean floats and miscellaneous car flotsam and jetsam in the boot, and determined to find a Good Samaritan. Much to our surprise, the first passing van all but slammed on their brakes, with ubiquitous dust trailing. A young man leapt out from the passenger side and without words, gestured for us to open the hood. We experienced people in Puerto Vallarta who simply like to help out strangers; a common occurrence in friendliness and general goodwill. Within moments, we were tootling down the road, having gone through an elaborate handshaking ritual, grins and many thank yous and por nadas.

    Shortly after, we realized this type of courtesy and civility extends far beyond Puerto Vallarta. As a matter of fact, anywhere in Mexico, a car on the side of the road will not likely be stranded long. The Ángeles Verdes (Green Angels) are a government sponsored AAA, the guardians of road travelers, patrolling all federal and toll highways throughout the country. They are usually bi-lingual (though mechanical failures don’t regularly entail language barriers); will guide a voyager to their next destination; provide first aid if needed and gladly supply everything from cold water to promos for tourist attractions.

    How do you find them? They will find you. If you’re experiencing problems, pull over and raise your hood. The Green Angels are often parked under overpasses, in the shade, along the toll roads. In a supportive system, other drivers (truckers, for example) will alert the Green Angels of your location. You can also dial 078 from any phone.

    Sound wonderful? It gets better. It’s free. The Mexican Tourism Ministry offers this service to all motorists. They bring spare parts, a variety of tools and experienced friendly mechanics. If you need major parts, that’s your responsibility but they will tow you to the next available service station, free of charge, no matter how far. Tipping is appreciated and recommended, and the amount is up to you. We suggest generosity in the face of immense gratitude.

    We always save our toll receipts, which often helps in planning future trips to access travels costs and… to our delight, we realized most of these little flimsy pieces of paper also include contact information for road assistance.

    Driving throughout Mexico is easy. Don’t drive at night to avoid hitting a dreaded tope (speed bump) or animals, both domestic and wild. Day trip and enjoy a fabulous infrastructure that gets better on an annual basis.

    Que es cómo es.

     

    Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

    We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

    Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

    When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

  • Vallarta: Jelly Fish Remedies

    Jelly Fish

    The ocean water in Puerto Vallarta is visited by jelly fish seasonally. Whereas some types of jelly fish are indigenous around the globe, we are simply a tourist destination for a couple of the species, some harmful.

    What do they look like? If you see a gelatinous blue blob on the sand while you’re walking down the beach in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas, avoid it and keep your eyes peeled for more. They can be very painful, even when they seem to be dead. We’ve heard them called Blue Devil, which is an appropriate label, since they will feel like you’ve stepped into a bit of hell.

    Once you’ve been stung, it can take a long time for the pain to dissipate.  The pain and scarring varies from person to person but we have heard of some having sensitivity for weeks following the original injury. We’ve also had friends who’ve been stung and were hardly bothered at all, considering it little more than an annoyance.

    For remedies, there are many, some absurd but worth trying. Don’t ever rub the area of the sting, especially if there are bits of jelly fish. Get it as wet as possible, using seawater and rinse it off, pouring copious amounts of water on the skin to shed any remnants of the animal.

    If you have any kind of allergic reaction, get to an emergency room immediately. Swelling of the skin; hives; difficulty in swallowing or breathing indicate a serious reaction and can be extremely dangerous. We’ve been asked many times if urinating on the stings helps and we can attest to the fact that we’ve seen it work when other solutions fall short. It is worth a try, urine is clean, and make sure it’s your own and not someone else’s.

    There is a cure that locals and residents claim is the best remedy and it’s not a bad idea to add it to the beach first aid kit: unflavored meat tenderizer. Pour seawater on the aggravated spot with generous amounts of tenderizer.  Let it soak in and the jellyfish bits should dissolve. Continue to rinse with seawater. Follow this with ice cold fresh water and coat with any type of cream that contains benzocaine.

    If we see jellyfish on the beach, we stay out of the water in that specific area. The invasion of these creatures is an off and on event for the first few weeks in the summer but you can find beaches in Puerto Vallarta that are not affected, since jellyfish tend to float with currents so they can pass by huge swatches. It’s still safe to go into the water.

    Que cómo es es.

  • Puerto Vallarta: Lets put this one to bed once and for all

    Are You a Local or Resident?

    Let’s put this one to bed once and for all. So many people call themselves local after moving to Puerto Vallarta. You are not a local unless you are from here. It doesn’t matter if you have lived in Puerto Vallarta or anywhere else for the past two or three decades. You may feel like a local and some may even regard you as one, due to your immense wisdom regarding the community and surrounding area but you are still a resident.

    It’s certainly not worth getting into an argument over, but it does chill the bones of friends of ours, who have lived in Puerto Vallarta since birth. We have a friend from Nayarit, the state north of Puerto Vallarta who has lived here for twenty years plus. He is Mexican, born in the Sayulita area and considers himself a local, whenever he goes to family functions for a visit…in Sayulita. He resides in Puerto Vallarta. He won’t make a big issue of it (Mexicans usually don’t) but he will perform a subtle eye-roll when he hears someone who moved to Puerto Vallarta a handful of years ago describe themselves as a local.

    Are your privileges different? No, probably not, unless you’re eligible for ejido land. But you do have the right to feel proud of your heritage and likely not pleased with someone else sharing it undeservedly. You may know as much, even more about Puerto Vallarta, than someone who has lived here their entire life but that does not give you the right to upgrade yourself to their birthright stature.

    A person from Puerto Vallarta is referred to as a Pata Salada, which is the same as a person from Guadalajara being called a Tapatio or someone from Mexico City being a Chilango. These are not derogatory terms and those who can claim so, do it with pride. Pata Salada translates to Salty Foot and though you might feel you’ve been in Puerto Vallarta long enough to qualify, you should consider yourself a citizen of the world who is lucky enough to call Puerto Vallarta home.

    Que es cómo es.

    Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

    We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

    Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

    When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

  • Vallarta Inspired Living News Chili Cook Off

    Puerto Vallarta Chili Cook-Off

    Many years ago, when we first arrived in Puerto Vallarta, an event enlightened us to the camaraderie of the expat group, as no other had. This wasn’t drinks at a beach bar. This was a small sector of the population coming together to make a statement. A delightful chili cook-off with colorful characters and a sizeable, impressive donation to a local non-profit for animals. The gathering indicated not just friendship but a real sense of community. This event disappeared, much to our dismay, but returned about seven years ago at the El Rio BBQ Bar in Paso Ancho, a perfect location for the gathering. Last year’s Puerto Vallarta Chili Cook-Off, co-hosted by Kurt Sinner, owner of El Rio; the Puerto Vallarta’s American Legion Post 14; and The Jay Sadler Project, an officially recognized non-profit organization in the State of Jalisco, attracted over six hundred attendees. As popular events in any given city tend to do, this one has outgrown its shoes and finds itself again, in a new location for 2020.

    Parque Parota in Fluvial Vallarta, at 48320 Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio, is just north of the Marbella complex, in the huge lot where carnivals take up residence every now and again. Any bus going in the direction of Wal-Mart will drop you off at the main entrance.

    It’s a very good idea to get an advanced ticket, which are available in several locations in Puerto Vallarta, since it will save you $50 pesos off the at-gate price and allow early entrance at 11:30 am. Tickets at the gate will be $300 pesos and entrance will be at 12 noon. You can also buy tickets online at eventbrite.com.

    Twenty or so chili vendors will be judged by local food critics and restaurateurs. The public will also have the opportunity to serve as judges, with a popular vote.

    Along with chili, there will be several other types of food available, including but not limited to seafood, tacos, ice cream and cupcakes from various local vendors and restaurants. We’re excited about the music, which is always a treat in Puerto Vallarta, where we have some incredibly talented musicians and entertainers. Along with a beer garden, there will be martini bars, a Bloody Mary bar, and cocktail lounge.

    The Silent Auction has always been a big attraction at the Chili Cook-Off and this year is no exception, with the usual donations made from generous establishments around town, plus a few new contributors. This year’s Puerto Vallarta Chili Cook-Off will be held from 11:30 am – 7 Pm on February 22, 2020.

    Que es cómo es

  • Puerto Vallarta Living: Turibus

    Turibus Puerto Vallarta

    A thrilling new venture will begin in Puerto Vallarta this month and we couldn’t be more excited. We already know Turibus in Mexico City and other Mexican cities is a great way to see sites and get around, and have often wished for such an option for our tourist friends here in Puerto Vallarta. Turibus is a great way to learn about the city; the bilingual guides use both English and Spanish in their patter. It will be a very inexpensive trip in Puerto Vallarta, though much shorter, of course, than Mexico City. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is our way of looking at this new enterprise and we are eager to experience the ride ourselves. Our sources tell us Turibuses will begin this week with four buses and expand to two more as tourism ramps up.
    To get a good head start on high season, the inauguration will be 16 August. Tickets are purchased upon embarking for $85 pesos/person; the ride lasts about forty minutes and covers El Centro and Zona Romatica. Catch it in front of the MacDonald’s at the north end of the Malecon on 31 Octobre Street.
    Being on a Turibus gives you a good vantage point and helps you decide what attractions to go back and spend more time on later. It’s a perfect way to start your stay in Puerto Vallarta, get the lay of the land, plus a convenient history lesson. It will help orient you to the city, it’s safer and much less stressful than taxis, no crowding like on a standard city bus, and as an added bonus… you can see where you’re going. If you sit on the upper deck, we recommend a hat and sunscreen.
    This is a big boost for Puerto Vallarta on the whole. For investors to have this kind of faith in the economy is very good for future developments and attractions in Puerto Vallarta and stabilizes businesses and real estate ventures that are already here. Turibus operates in many Mexico locations, as well as international destinations, giving further draw to the area. Once they are established, Turibus Puerto Vallarta will be adding routes from hotels and various points of interest with emphasis on the historical center of town.
    Que es cómo es.

    ——————————

    Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

    We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

    Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

    When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate

  • Show Me The Beef: A Puerto Vallarta Homeowner’s Experience Importing her Dogs

    By Stephanie Madan

    I apologize for that recent excitement at Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Although it had never been my ambition to create an international incident, there are some things you just have to do. Someone had to speak for the dogs.

    Amanda, our Westie, and Rachel, our mainly wire hair terrier, joined us on that trip to Puerto Vallarta. It was Rachel’s first visit to our house there. She was enjoying an extended puppyhood and ever so happy gnawing on anything she could get her teeth into. Paul and I noticed she preferred furniture legs and millwork along the lower edge of walls, but she was not above chomping on those fake plastic tea-light candles set around our pool occasionally to dazzle visitors. An innovative and humane strategy of redirection was called for.

    So, I brought chewies with me from Houston. Not innovative, true, but unquestionably humane. Rachel enters her state of purest joy when offered a chewy. She instantly abandons furniture legs, millwork, and plastic faux candles. She jumps into the air quivering with anticipation and executes a double pirouette before she lands; all the while making little squeaks I interpret as endearments meant for the chewy. Amanda, past her puppyhood, considers it deeply uncool to leap for chewies, but she chews on them with enthusiasm, if only for old times’ sake

    The chewies I purchased were beef flavored. They were made from a vegetable base so their appeal was solely the flavor of beef. I emphasize that they were beef flavored and also in their original packaging. I was not bringing in meaty soup bones, for heaven’s sake

    I define food as a substance one voluntarily places in one’s mouth and swallows. Dog chewies, therefore, are not food. Chewing gum, therefore, is not food. They are stand- ins for food. Neither is swallowed. If the general population has accepted that chewing gum is nowhere to be found in the food pyramid and if dogs everywhere have determined the same thing regarding chewies, what prevents the crack team of customs agents managing import security at Puerto Vallarta International Airport from doing so?

    This is how import security is managed by the customs office at Puerto Vallarta International Airport: Press a button – If the light is green, you may continue your journey.  If the light is red, you are not going anywhere till the person in charge says so.  This is putting a lot of faith in a button.

    Seriously, how many threats to Mexico’s well-being have been neutralized via this method? Well, now we know of at least one.

    Paul and I caught the customs’ red light that trip which meant accepting a luggage search before going on our way. I, for one, was cheerful about it. It gave me an opportunity to pretend I am flexible and not easily ruffled. This matters because Paul has mentioned more than once that he knows of fifteen people he would rather travel with than me.

    We slung our luggage up on an inspection table. A young fellow unzipped my suitcase and noticed the bags of chewies right off. He was stunned by such luck. He had just prevented criminal entry of numerous prohibited items into Mexico.

    He eyed me. He looked again at the chewies and injected his inspection with new vigor.  A genuine incident was unfolding at his table. When you are at the bottom of the customs food chain, thwarting an international smuggler is no small thing. The thrill in his expression was truly touching. Sure enough, there were more chewy bags stuffed in whatever air pockets had been available in my suitcase. He told me they were forbidden. I told him that was ridiculous.

    The young man laid the chewy bags out on the table and summoned the customs supervisor of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport.

    As I have mentioned, there are times when you have to do what you have to do, no matter that it plays out as an international incident. The battle with the customs supervisor began.

    She immediately announced to me in broken English and with finality: The chewies are beef. They are forbidden food. We are taking them. Her expression was disdainful as she prepared to collect them and be off.

    And welcome to you, too. Have some bottled water. Obviously she was making her decision before collecting all the facts so I began to acquaint her with them.

    No, they aren’t forbidden, I conveyed to her in my inventive Spanish. First, they aren’t food. Dogs don’t eat chewies. If they did, chewies would not be called chewies.

    ‘Swallowies’ doesn’t resonate as a replacement, but it would not be difficult to come up with something catchy. In any event, chewies would not be their name. Dogs chew them till the flavors are exhausted and then store them in peculiar places. They do not ingest them. Second, the chewies in question are vegetable based. They are beef-flavored, not beef.

    I reached over to pick a chewy bag up to point out the ingredients listed on the label, but that customs supervisor of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport objected with fury more reasonably associated with someone reaching for an automatic weapon. I was not allowed to touch the contraband even if it was my contraband. I wondered, based on my masterful interpretation of body language, if there was some concern I might swallow  the evidence. Ha! My point exactly – the swallowing part. I fell back on Plan B and invited her to read for herself the words on the wrapper. The invitation was declined.

    Maybe she had lost her reading glasses, but I suspect she just felt like asserting her sweeping power over me. By now a small crowd had formed, comprised of all the people the young fellow on the lowest rung of the customs food chain could muster. The customs office had an incident going and it was his.

    The true nature of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport customs supervisor was revealed as I continued to debate with her. I regret to report she is a disagreeable sort. She insisted that the vegetable-based chewy was beef each time I voiced my assertion it was not. She did this in a strident voice of increasing volume. The volume part was pure theatrics, considering we were now in each other’s face.

    Possibly she was concerned the chewies were freeze-dried cows that would rise up as porterhouse steaks with malicious intent once hydrated. I concluded I was communicating with the wrong level of management.

    I politely asked to speak to the store manager; thinking a bit of levity might improve the atmosphere. As she did not respond in a light-hearted way, I am guessing my Spanish version of that request was imperfect. Instead I was awarded a glare she did not discard as our dialogue continued.

    Willful obtuseness in others leads to impatience on my part. I commented to no one in particular that any person possessing a brain knows vegetable-based dog chewies in original packaging pose no threat to the great country of Mexico. She accepted this in the spirit it was conveyed. Her glare grew fiercer and I was taking less and less pleasure in her company. Accusations of smuggling hurt my feelings and bring out the worst in me. I returned her glare.

    The customs supervisor began scribbling something on an official-looking form which she eventually thrust into my hands. I asked her if it included the name of her supervisor so I could report her ghastly manners and defective judgment.There is no one else, she hissed.

    As she scribbled, Paul had wisely edged away from me. Someone needed to remain free to hire the attorney after they took me into custody. For all we knew, that piece of paper consigned me to a dank and squalid Mexican prison. (Charming prisons may exist all over Mexico, but I had only reality shows to draw on for my information.)

    I paused. I saw myself in prison, attired in an orange prison jumpsuit. Orange does not suit me. Jumpsuits are passé. And internet speed would be slow. Cocktail hour would be absent. Sushi would be rare. (Couldn’t resist that.)

    My love for Amanda and Rachel is deep, but rational: Serving a stint in prison would deprive them of a mother and me of almost everything. I hated doing it, but I began a dignified retreat. The supervisor seized the chewies and probably took them home to her own dog, although she does not seem the type to share. It was painful. I was beaten. But I was free.

    So, here’s how things ended up: Paul and I got to our car and, once safely off airport premises, I deciphered her scribbles. The words announced the items had been confiscated. Nothing more. Next, we stopped by a grocery store on the way to the house. There we discovered Mexican dog chewies on the pet aisle. The pet aisle is one I had never investigated, for the good reason that we had not before required replacements for confiscated stowaway chewies. The chewies we spotted were similar to the ones seized. In fact they were so similar the dogs would not be able to tell. I wish I had known that.

    I have since familiarized myself with the prohibited items list. Fruits are prohibited. What about that peach-flavored lip gloss I brought into Mexico? Was the Mexican agricultural system compromised as a result of the flavoring in my gloss? This is a slippery slope that Mexico must face squarely and at once. The threat of peach-flavored gloss has been overlooked. What else has been missed?

    When the Mexican government heeds my warning and gets moving on this, everyone in the customs office food chain at Puerto Vallarta International Airport will no doubt be instructed to read the labeling. Flavoring will be given a precise definition. And if the wise heads of the Mexican government decree that the customs supervisor of the

    Puerto Vallarta Airport must wear an orange jumpsuit and enjoy no internet access for a month or so as penance for being so disagreeable, my hurt feelings will be mollified. I have hope, but I manage my expectations.

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    Timothy Real Estate Group – An innovative company setting new standards in Real Estate sales and services has the most professional and experienced Realtors in the Puerto Vallarta area who understand the intricacies of Mexican Real Estate ownership, the local market, Puerto Vallarta property codes and regulations and financing.  The Timothy Group uses that knowledge to provide a sound analysis on every aspect of property ownership. Timothy Real Estate Group is known for professionalism and experience and they bring this t犀利士
    o every transaction they work on for the benefit of Real Estate investors and developers alike. Ask about our Real Estate Listings

  • Vallarta Lifestyles – Best of Vallarta/Nayarit

    Before moving to Puerto Vallarta in 1999, the president and founder of one of the fastest growing real estate agencies in the city worked as an agent for Prudential Realty in Beverly Hills. By then, he already had several years of experience in the business and had a rising and prosperous career. In fact, his last sale in the wealthy California market was the largest transaction recorded that year: a residence acquired by artist and music producer Babyface. So, what made him move to Mexico? The answer involves an opportunity, discovering a promising real estate sector and encountering a lifestyle that he defines as “inspiring.

    Carl Timothy – A Man of Inspiration and Daring 

    Carl Timothy, President and Founder of Timothy Real Estate Group is featured in this months issue of Vallarta Lifestyles: Best of Vallarta-Nayarit.

     

         Click Here To Read The Full Article  

  • Is It Cheaper Living in Mexico?

    Cheaper Living in Mexico

    We moved to Puerto Vallarta for many reasons and we will readily admit that fixed income was certainly a priority. The weather’s lovely, especially when we have the opportunity to travel to other destinations in and out of Mexico during the hotter summer months, but a big lure is the cost of living. There are so many ways to save living in Puerto Vallarta; it’s hard to know where to start.

    Dentistry and anything medical is one huge expense we have avoided living here. We also attend as many of the free medical events in Puerto Vallarta as we can cram into our beach schedule, because there’s valuable information offered, plus we also get a chance to meet medical staff, which would be rare from the city we hail from. There are great medical insurance plans in Mexico, too. We’ve found medical services in Puerto Vallarta state-of-the-art, though offices and clinics are austere and lack pizzazz, which is just fine with us. We’re happy to know our money isn’t going into fancy art and marble countertops.

    Vet bills? Pup and Kitten are in good hands here in Puerto Vallarta and the cost is eye-popping! We’ve even taken our pets in for services and walked out not one peso poorer. When they give you free care for something that would cost the same as a car payment up north, you know you made the right decision. Did we mention that both human and animal doctors will come to your house? Imagine!

    We have a gardener in Puerto Vallarta! We have a housekeeper, too and life is so much nicer with people not just taking care of simple things but having knowledge about their jobs, as well. We admit; we don’t know how to wash floors properly here, to keep them skid-, insect- and bacteria-free. And plants in the tropics are far different than those we used to tend.

    When something breaks, we call José, who seems to know everything plumbing, electrical, paint-wise and has even picked up furniture around Puerto Vallarta for us. He always brings a receipt and charges so little, we feel guilty. Of course we tip well.

    Our carwash man comes to our house, once a week. He brings his own vacuum, which we plug in through the front door; uses our hose and has his own bucket, soap and equipment. His price went up this year; $80 pesos, and our auto looks spit-shined. That’s less than $5, by the way.

    Car maintenance is unreal. We broke down on the road one morning; a mechanic came to get the car started, followed us to his shop and told us to come back in the afternoon. He thought we needed a new starter and he would need to get parts. We cringed. That was going to cost us. In the afternoon, we came back to hopefully pick up the vehicle. It was ready, interior vacuumed, windows washed in and out, and the cost for the entire job was $1000. That’s $54 USD and $68 CDN.

    Some of our friends complain about the high price of eating out in Puerto Vallarta but we don’t need to eat at the very best establishments every night. There are so many amazing meals for under $100 pesos, all over town. And even the fancy places are very affordable.

    Many other advantages are to be had in Puerto Vallarta with such things as party stores, clothing for adults and kids, shoes, hair salons, eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries, and the list goes on and on.

    Que es cómo es.

    Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

    We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

    Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

    When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.