Cantinflas: This month celebrates the 107th birthday of Cantinflas, one of Mexico’s most beloved figures. When we originally relocated to Puerto Vallarta, we used the television to learn Spanish; telenovelas (soap operas), dubbed foreign films, and the movies of Cantinflas, produced from 1936 to 1981. To say Cantinflas was prolific in his career is a true understatement. Born Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, he adopted the made-up name Cantinflas to hide from his family while he worked as a circus performer, learning his performance skills as a young man.
Cantinflas sense of humor infected everyone; he was known for countless characters representing many walks of life. As a pelado (vagrant), the foremost costume of Cantinflas was baggy trousers held up with a rope and a flamboyant moustache. He well a self taught acrobat and could take on the persona of multiple identities. Charlie Chaplin called him the best comedian of all time. He was revered in Mexico but also found a home in Hollywood, winning a Golden Globe for his performance inAround the World in Eighty Days. Cantinflas costarred in the film with David Niven, which won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. This opened doors for Cantinflas and made way for other Latino actors’ acceptance and success.
Cantinflas involved himself with politics on both sides of the border. Like Groucho Marx, he made fun of the rich and authoritative; government at all levels, including police and pompous traffic cops; anyone in a powerful position. Books have been written about him, his personal life, influence on theater and politics, and actual history as it unfolds in Mexico. He was portrayed by artists such as Diego Rivera as a representation of the Mexican everyman. In the early 1960’s, he campaigned in Texas for the Democrats and helped stage an upset in the Texas State Senate that gave a seat to Henry B. González, the first Latino elected, who served from 1961 – 1999.
Cantinflas had the uncanny knack for confusing whomever he spoke, with the ability to obscure an issue to where anyone present lost the meaning of the point of the original conversation. This concept has been adopted into Mexican culture and Spanish dictionaries actually include the term Cantinflear, a manner of speech. If you hear someone in Puerto Vallarta use the term “İestás cantinfleando!” you can be sure it’s an accusation; someone is working very hard to make sure they are not being understood! Whether in a courtroom; on the streets negotiating the price of tamales; or trying to attract a date… cantinflada is common jargon.
Que es cómo es.
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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

Ajijic

For those looking for a nice adventure out of town while the temps are still high, we recommend a trip to Ajijic, a quick ten minute drive to the west of Chapala on Lake Chapala. With a population of approximately 12,000, Ajijic has moderate traffic and climate. What’s not to like? About an hour south of Guadalajara, it’s a 5.5 hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. You’ll definitely want to plan overnight accommodations and stay for at least a couple days.

There are only estimates of the number of foreigners living in Ajijic, but among them, there are most likely around 1,500 full time retired Canadians and US citizens, plus another thousand snowbirds, those folks who come during the harshest winter months in the north when they want to avoid shoveling the white stuff back home.

Ajijic abounds with great affordable restaurants, boutique hotels, Airbnb’s and RV parks. There are galleries galore with fabulous art, clothing stores with a wonderful variety, and no shortage of gift and curio shops, as well as seasonal craft markets and fairs. We love walking through the town, observing great murals, mosaics and street art. The malecón (boardwalk) along the lake welcomes walkers, cyclists, skateboarders, and strollers.

While in Ajijic and the Chapala area, you will want to check out The Lake Chapala Society, https://lakechapalasociety.com. A small group of expats, numbering twenty-one original members, started in 1955 with two committees, “Mosquito Control” and “Information Service.” With a few growing pains, they quickly grew to include a children’s reading room and lending library, along with an information center and the formation of plans for burial sites in the local cemetery. Over the decades, the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) has created many wonderful activities for foreigners and locals alike, and there are currently forty-four students who benefit from financial aid.

There is a wealth of entertainment in Ajijic. We found live music and dance venues, along with karaoke bars and comedy clubs; performances by local and imported talent, plus a locally well-known chorus, performing concerts at Riberas Auditorium. Fabulous shows at The Spotlight run all year around, with performers you may have missed in Puerto Vallarta, visiting from the USA, Canada and Europe. Jazz Festivals have begun to appear on the Ajijic program in the past few years, which draw followings of some amazing musicians.

There’s something for everyone, including very nice cinemas showing first run films at the Libramiento at Centro Laguna, located between Chapala and Ajijic.

We think of Ajijic as a Boutique Town and love the change of scene from Puerto Vallarta.

Que es cómo es.