Timothy Real Estate

Etiqueta: Puerto Vallarta Real Estate

  • Alan Wanzenberg’s Luxury Home Decor Ideas

    When Manhattan’s luxury developers want a sure thing, they bring in Alan Wanzenberg. The New York architect’s imprimatur is the gold standard for a clientele that appreciates his emphasis on craftsmanship and understated luxe. “I love the intimacy of residential work,” he says. “It’s so close and personal.”

    Alan Wanzenberg in his Manhattan office
    Alan Wanzenberg in his Manhattan office. Photography by Rebecca Greenfield

    • Luxury can be intangible. It can be a day with nothing to do. It does not require a big budget. If anything, money can be destructive to luxury. I’ve worked for people with 15 Kelly bags in their closets. At some point that becomes a burden. Luxury 
is a sensibility, one that requires discernment.
    • The most luxurious project I ever worked on was Maureen and Marshall Cogan’s apartment, which we did in 1993. It was a synthesis of architecture, decorating, and art. That was luxury: a Picasso drawing on a beautifully proportioned wall with a Jean-Michel Frank–inspired sofa.
    • In some of the fanciest houses I’ve done, I’ve 
used Noguchi paper lanterns. They look fantastic and cost a couple hundred dollars.

    Modern Times

    Wanzenberg-designed living room
    Warmth and texture in a Wanzenberg-designed living room. Photography by William Abranowicz

    • The design industry is seeing an enormous shift, mainly because of technology. In the course of an afternoon, you can go online and look up 101 things. But just because the information is available doesn’t mean you shouldn’t kick the tires. There is no substitute for tactile, direct experience.
    • A lot of our younger clients have grown up around design. They’ve got the technological tools to participate in design more exhaustively than my generation. The market is very sophisticated.
    • There is tension between two tendencies in design: the proverbial glass box and the more textured, crafted home. I’m in the latter camp. Jed and 
I loved working with craftspeople and seeing the hand of the maker.
    • The elasticity of a house is critical. I have clients who want to entertain, but they also want a simpler, smaller home where they can be alone with their kids. It’s like Alice in Wonderland: Can you shrink it down and can you blow it up? That’s where you earn your stripes as an architect.

    Deluxe Details

    Wanzenberg's intricate detailing
    An example of Wanzenberg’s intricate detailing. Photography by Don Freeman

    • Bathrooms are the status rooms. They have 
become more spa-like, and the latest upgrades — like quick-draining showers — are so seamless. In two New York apartments, I’ve installed Japanese furo baths, where the water goes right up to the edge and flows over into trench drains around the base of the tub.
    • I like to have a tour-de-force room that takes 
your breath away. I designed a living room in Water Mill, New York, where massive pocket doors slide into the walls and the screens pull out. The breeze wafts through the room. It blows your mind.
    • Small houses are usually the ones with the big ideas. Think of Philip Johnson’s Glass House, the Eames House, or the home Robert Venturi built for his mother. They’re all tiny but have impact. For a dream client, I would build a jewel box of a house.
    Five Upgrades

    Noguchi paper lanterns
    Noguchi paper lanterns in a West Palm Beach, Florida, home. Photography by Michelle Rose

    1. Hardware and doors.
    2. Window treatments.
    3. A really great paint job.
    4. Beautiful wood floors with radiant heat.
    5. Great lighting. Today’s miniature LED fixtures make the whole room come alive.
    Simple Pleasures

    The architect's home
    The architect’s home in Costa Rica. Photography Courtesy of Alan Wanzenberg

    • When you’re young, you have exuberance for lots of things. As you get older, your preferences narrow. We used to do a lot with materials — the marble inlay that met the marble border that had metal banding, which met the wall, which had a special wenge detail. Today I’m more interested in distilling that down, working with one or two materials.
    • I bought a simple home in Costa Rica. It has electricity but no air-conditioning, just shutters. Da Vinci said simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
    Author: Ingrid Abramovitch – Elle Decor

     

    Timothy Real Estate Group has professional designers and stagers that can help you prepare your home for the war.  Gorilla tactics that work because it is a Price War and a Beauty Contest that can mean making and saving more with your property investment.  Stay informed about Puerto Vallarta Real Estate and sign up for our newsletter… click here

    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 to every transaction they work on for the benefit of Real Estate investors and developers alike. Ask about our Real Estate Listings

  • Inspired Living In Vallarta: PV Jazz Festival

    Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival

    We love to introduce friends to new acts in town and there is always an element of surprise. Many people find it hard to believe there is so much talent in Puerto Vallarta. It’s impossible to find a night during high season that entertainment isn’t available. We’ve been aware of this abundance of musical acts for quite some time, be it classical, blues, rock and roll, reggae or other wonderful forms. Puerto Vallarta has long encouraged youth to learn dance and music.

    To showcase some of these students, there is an annual jazz festival and it’s right around the corner. Just in time to share love and friendship, the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival is held from February 13 – 17.

    Mary Jo Papich, founding member of the Jazz Ed Network in Chicago, Illinois, is the artistic director, and will be presenting vocal and instrumental ensembles with kids who come to Puerto Vallarta for this amazing workshop. The students, from high schools and college/university groups near and far will have the honor of performing with professional jazz musicians, as well and attending amazing clinics. Ms. Papich has every right to be very proud of the Jazz Education Network (JEN) that presents itself as a global community, encouraging and motivating the conversation of music with students, teachers, pros and aficionados.

    With sponsors such at The Berklee College of Music, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Fender Musical Instruments Corp, The University of New Orleans School of Arts, and others, JEN is well known around the musical world. We are so excited to have these presentations again in Puerto Vallarta.

    There will be two not-to-be-missed performances on February 14th at Parque Hidalgo from 6 pm – 9 pm and another presentation at Parque Lazaro Cardenas on February 15th, 6 pm – 9 pm.

    Que es cómo es.

  • Vallarta: The Reasons Are the Same For Owning As Renting

    Why Stay in a Villa?

    Puerto Vallarta has many villas for rent in different systems, all catering to similar and divergent tastes and requirements. Some are strictly gay villas and proprietors are permitted to decide these parameters. There are several who will not rent to families, starting with no one under 6, or 12 or 18, depending on whatever their criteria happens to be. There are so many more that are more than happy to welcome large groups and all ages, including as many generations as you’ve got!

    You may be greeted by an owner or simply have a code box with a hidden key. A houseman or mozo could be waiting at the door and some villas in Puerto Vallarta are fully staffed. This can mean one maid and a gardener/handyman or could extend to cooks, servers, chauffeurs, laundry personnel. It all depends on the size of the house and/or the budget.

    Why choose a villa over a hotel in Puerto Vallarta? The list is myriad but here are a few good reasons:

    • The staff either retreats to their own quarters after dinner is served or they go to their own homes in or about Puerto Vallarta, and return in the morning. You have the house to yourself and can do whatever you want within the constraints of legality and respectability. Usually a bar is left open and there are often leftovers to munch on. You can ask the cook, if there is one, to make something special for you. If you have a pet, it’s a much easier adjustment for them.
    • Avoid the hustle and bustle of offloading in a lobby, standing in lines; even the priciest hotels have check-in procedures. Skip them. If you rent a villa that has a staff, there’s a good chance fresh margaritas will await you, along with appetizers. If you’ve checked into somewhere that you’re the only people present, you can flop on a couch and check you’re your email; don’t have to be polite to anyone; or jump in the cool pool to unscramble your brain cells.
    • Cooking from home. You’ll most likely be asked for meal and grocery selections prior to arrival. If you cook some meals on your own, you’ll save a bundle on dining out. Staffed homes will add a surcharge, usually around 20% to the food and drink bill but it will still be far cheaper in the long run. Or you can experience a Mexican supermarket and do your own shopping.
    • If you want to bring a large group, this is really the way to do it. Do your research; don’t jump on the first offer you find. In a very short search, we found a villa in Puerto Vallarta, minutes away from town, sleeps 10, is fully staffed and has a large pool, $1,175/day. That, mind you, is $117 per person for a very luxurious vacation. Your friends’ jaws will drop when they see your photos.

    There are so many reasons to stay in a villa in Puerto Vallarta but this gives you the general idea and should get you excited, now! Start googling! Buen viaje!

    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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  • Valentine’s Day in Puerto Vallarta

    Luckily for many of us, just being in Puerto Vallarta says it all for Valentine’s Day!  But, if you really want to enjoy, relax and dazzle your friend, partner, husband or wife, please allow me to give  you a few tips or recommendations for this special day.

    Hotel La Galerita

    Two special getaway boutique hotels that I think are terrific are the Hotel La Galerita  and the Hacienda Matel  in nearby San Sebastian del Oeste.  Both are romantic spots where wonderful memories can be made.  San Sebastian is a very special place that I know you will enjoy and these two properties are both exceptional.  I strongly recommend reservations for each.

    OCEAN GRILL

    Puerto Vallarta has an incredible amount of fantastic restaurants and for lunch I love to recommend Ocean Grill,  located just south of Boca de Tomatlan.  The food, atmosphere and service is wonderful!

    One of Vallarta’s  (and mine) all time favorites is Vitea, located on the Malecon, in front of the statue of San Pascual Bailon (the patron saint of kitchens and cooks). This memorable restaurantr is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all delicious!

    A fun beach front restaurant that has great food is Barracuda, located at the north end of the Malecon, at the foot of Calle San Salvador.

    Best choice to me for a lovely dining experience is TRIO, located on Calle Guerrrero in El Centro.  Fantastic food, ambiance and service are what make this successful restaurant one to definitely not be missed.

    Happy Valentines Day, 2013!

     

    Timothy Real Estate Group has professional designers and stagers that can help you prepare your home for the war.  Gorilla tactics that work because it is a Price War and a Beauty Contest that can mean making and saving more with your property investment.  Stay informed about Puerto Vallarta Real Estate and sign up for our newsletter… click here

    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 to every transaction they work on for the benefit of Real Estate investors and developers alike. Ask about our Real Estate Listings

  • FlyBoard, They Said, Its Fun, They Said…

    Flyboard in Puerto Vallarta: If you see someone attached to a hose flying around out on the water, you’re not losing your mind. It’s called hydrolifting and it’s done on a flyboard, the apparatus on which the flyer stands. This is a crazy sport that has caught on fast in Puerto Vallarta. The approximate cost is around $100 per person for a half hour session but this differs, depending on where you are along the coastline. You really don’t want longer than a short session, unless you’re in remarkable physical shape. You can attain heights of ten feet above the water, which doesn’t seem like a lot until you’re flying along looking down. It’s not for those afraid of heights, anyone with neck, back or knee problems, and pregnant women. Locally one must be 12 years of age and minors accompanied by an adult and you also can’t weight in excess of 250 pounds (114 kg).

    Hydrolifting hasn’t been around for too long. It was invented in 2012 by Franky Zapata, a French water enthusiast who apparently wasn’t getting the thrills he desired on his Jet Skis. He devised boots on a board like a snowboard, with jet nozzles underneath that thrust the rider into the air, where they can dance around and dive headfirst into the sea, using underfoot propulsion and hand stabilization. The massive jets make you feel like you’re surfing in mid-air.

    If you’re determined to give hydrolifting/flyboarding in Puerto Vallarta a try, we have some tips: Keep your feet level and lock your legs letting the water pressure raise you off the surface. Keep your distance from the Jet Ski and stand in the water with the flyboard directly beneath. Allow yourself the patience to practice and remember to point your toes down to go forward and up to head backward. These are simple moves but easily forgotten once you’re moving up in the air. Lifting knees is the key to moving to the left and right. You can’t make yourself go higher; the instructor will increase your height by increasing the water pressure, when they think you’re ready. Once you’re up, focus on something in the distance. It will help keep your balance. If you know you’re going to crash, and you will be immediately aware, dive headfirst, just like you learned in early swim classes. Do your best Greg Louganis impression and you’ll lessen the shock to your system crashing through the surface of the water.

    Enjoy the adrenaline rush and don’t overdo; you don’t want to be aching while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta.

    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

  • Puerto Vallarta Living: Souvenirs

    Souvenirs from Puerto Vallarta

    There’s no reason to be stumped when shopping for souvenirs in Puerto Vallarta; there’s something for everyone. Check out your hometown Starbucks and you’ll find some of the best coffee in the world comes from Mexico. You can pack home a gift for your favorite coffee drinker; whole or ground beans. Though much of the coffee that comes from Mexico is from Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas, we do have our own local markets that receive a lot of praise. To name a few: Café Catedral, El Fortin, Café Oro Verde, San Sebastián del Oeste.
    Doña Maria is a great brand of mole paste and super convenient, but if you want something more authentic, check out our neighborhood markets. You will find more than fresh produce in colonias like Palmar de Aramara, Emiliano Zapata, and the tiangues (flea markets) You can pick up incredible mole paste; fresh and made locally. They will also have ground mole powder; try your hand at making your mole at home!
    A molinillo is a cooking utensil found in any authentic Mexican kitchen. It’s used to make stove-top hot chocolate from scratch (the best way). More than an implement for cooking, molinillos are works of art. We also recommend wooden spatulas and spoons, and love those with burnt carvings that over time take on a beautiful patina.
    To go with your molinillo (pronounced mo-lin-ee-oh), don’t forget to buy real artisanal chocolate, another main product of Mexico, in powder or block form. The variety of options and flavors is plentiful and gives inspiration to the adventurous cook.
    Vanilla is a must for yourself and as a gift, available everywhere, including pharmacies and the airport. We buy the small (4 – 8 ounces) bottles that give less danger of leakage in a suitcase. Add a bit to your hot chocolate for true genuine taste.
    One of the biggest hits bringing back mementos from Puerto Vallarta are the Lucha Libre masks. The original El Santo, one of the most famous masked luchadores in Mexico is available, as well as current wrestlers such as Shocker and Rey Mysterio. It’s a great Halloween or masquerade costume and they come in adult and kids sizes, available at the Mercado Municipal, the main tourist market in the middle of town.
    Whether it’s a large platter or a small butter dish, hand crafted pottery is a sure bet to make someone smile. Our store with the largest inventory is certainly Mundo de Azulejos, however there are smaller boutiques everywhere in Puerto Vallarta where you can find good quality ceramics, tiles and glassware.
    Textiles from scarves and pullovers, to rugs and linen are big favorites. A beautiful woven piece of art made in Mexico and purchased in Puerto Vallarta can be displayed and used for generations to come.
    Que es cómo es.

    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

  • Puerto Vallarta Inspired Living News: Gourmet

    Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta

    (this is from previous years, but the information is still useful) There are Food Festivals around the world in all major cities that tempt travelers and locals. Then there’s the Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta, often attended annually by folks who come back year after year. It is a glamorous week of dining with an unrivaled opening ceremony that will take place this year at the beautiful convention center of Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, an experience in itself. Enticing chef presentations will be surrounded by food, drinks, and charming, traditional music. This being the 25th Anniversary of the Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival, we expect to see some splendid culinary displays. Supported by local restaurants, small businesses, and corporate sponsors in Puerto Vallarta, this experience can be as lavish or simple as the food aficionado chooses for their individual palate.

    Guest chefs will be showing off their talents throughout the city in various restaurants, where diners can expect fresh offerings from the creative minds or some of the finest gourmet palates from around the globe. Beginning at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 20th, participants in the festival will serve delightful surprises to those seeking to be pampered by the art of cooking. A Great Day with Big Chefs takes place on this day with the Three Musketeers of Puerto Vallarta Gourmet; Thierry Blouet, Heinz Reize and Roland Menetrey sharing a stove top, with the usual shenanigans and laughs. It’s a bargain at $1,700 pesos.

    Starting at 11:00 am on Friday, November 20th, the Gourmet Festival Puerto Vallarta will present a Culinary Forum, which is a must for those interested in learning the art of gastronomy. Professional chefs, some who have traveled from afar, will share their experiences and ideas.

    Several restaurants will be presenting Theme Nights, not to be missed. Café de Artistes leads off on Thursday, November 21st, with Azafrán, Kaiser Maximilian, Trio, Stars Gourmet Grill, and other establishments joining in this entertaining format.

    We suggest going on a restaurant Safari Gourmet, visiting four locations, one following the other in a progressive dinner, which will include beverages for the price of $2,850 pesos, which is a steal, in our humble opinion.

    The Festival will begin to close on November 23rd with Xocodiva’s Cult to Chocolate, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. With a price tag of $1,050, we wouldn’t dare to miss this affair, which will embrace the love of chocolate, with a host of tastes all across the flavor spectrum. The Grand Finale will take place at Flamingos Mozzamare Beach Club in Nuevo Vallarta, with a stylish, luxurious reception. The theme for the evening is seafood, fresh from the ocean to your table.

    Reservations are required for most of these events and tickets are mandatory for scheduled events. For more information and a link to buy tickets for individual events, see www.festivalgourmet.com.

    Que cómo es es.

  • Puerto Vallarta Living: 15th Birthday

    The Mexican Quinceañera

    Every Mexican girl has a quinceañera. The translation means fifteenth birthday but in Puerto Vallarta it can mean so much more. A young lady often gets a party to outdo all parties; a celebration of many things. The priority of a quinceañera is the acknowledgement of social responsibility, which symbolizes the passage from childhood into maturity. The focus is on family, friends, music, food, dance and religion. Quinceañera is also what we call the young lady being honored.
    Akin to the tradition of cotillions and debutante balls, the young lady will choose an escort (chambelan) to accompany and present her, dance with her, and be by her side for the entire event. Being chosen as a chambelan is considered an honor. At some quinceañeras, you will see several chamblanes and perhaps young women damas to counter them. The waltzes they do have often been practiced for months in preparation for the party.
    Traditional quinceañeras begin with a mass at church, followed by what is most often a lavish party. They are not only similar to a wedding; they often cost more than the average Mexican wedding. It’s not unusual for a father to pay upwards of $10,000 for his daughter’s quinceañera. Venue, food, music, DJ’s, decorations, dresses for the honoree, outfits for the rest of the family.
    At the mass, the young woman will be presented to God and make promises to honor herself and her religion. The changing of the shoes is fun ceremony where the parents symbolically give their daughter her first high heels and help her change out of flats into shoes that indicate she has transitioned out of childhood. Chances are she has tested these shoes out beforehand, since she will spend the evening dancing in them. Sometimes the young lady will pass on a favorite doll to a younger sister, another sign of growing up. The father-daughter dance kicks off dancing for everyone, just as in a traditional wedding. An MC, or maybe a DJ, will have members of the family and community take the microphone and say something memorable about the quinceañera.
    Appropriate gifts, should you be invited to a quinceañera, are rosaries, bibles, tiaras, scepters, medals that can all be purchased in the cathedral shop. Money is also a highly regarded gift and the most common. Grandparents often present the quinceañera with fifteen red roses, stems that signify strength, and roses for sweetness. Birthstone rings and bracelets are often gifted.
    Though a quinceañera seems like a very dressy event, it’s mainly the celebrants and family who are decked out in fancy apparel. Guests are expected to dress nicely, but gowns and tuxedos are not expected.
    Que es cómo es.

    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

  • Vallarta Real Estate Inspired Living: Coffee

    Coffee for a Cold Winter Night

    One of our favorite things about the winter holidays in Puerto Vallarta is the availability of the yummy drink café de olla. This delicious coffee beverage can be found year round if you know where to look but around Christmas it’s more abundant on the streets of Puerto Vallarta. We recall warming cold hands around a clay cup, many years ago, standing under the crown of the Church of Guadalupe, discovering a magical flavor to go with other seasonal joys. Café de olla is flavored with cinnamon (canela in Spanish) and piloncillo, which is unrefined whole cane sugar, a solid form of sweetness made from boiling and evaporating the juice from sugarcane. You’ve probably seen the cone-shaped brown chunks in stores in Puerto Vallarta.

    Café de olla is a traditional coffee drink of Mexico. Café de olla should be served in a clay mug, the type sold in souvenir stores in Puerto Vallarta. You can find these collections of dishes ranging from large platters to tiny shot-glass sized cups. In the past the mugs were a part of the purchase, brimming withhot liquid, but it’s doubtful vendors can keep up with that kind of demand these days. Now café de olla is served in a disposable cup.

    The streets of Puerto Vallarta at Christmastime offer so many tasty treats and we can’t recommend café de olla too much. Though it is served year round in some restaurants, including the one that bears the name, the café de olla we purchase during the holidays seems to be richer, made with the blessings of the season.

    Surprising to many, the main ingredient of café de olla is Nescafe; Mexicans know how to make it taste delicious. To make our own version at home in Puerto Vallarta we use the following method: In a saucepan, add a short cup of fresh ground coffee of your choice (the darker, the better) to a quart of hot water; a couple cinnamon sticks (essential ingredient); and the equivalent of half a cup piloncillo (use brown sugar if you’re in the north and have no access to piloncillo; about a third of an orange peel (yes, just the peel). Bring this to a boil. You can also toss in a pinch of nutmeg or cloves. Boil for about a minute, remove from the heat, cover and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and serve.

    Get some of those beautiful clay mugs; you won’t regret it.

    Que cómo es es.

  • Puerto Vallarta – In The Movies

    Roma

    We don’t often write movie reviews for this blog but are so inspired by the recent Mexican film Roma, for many reasons. We were far into the film, a scene at the ocean in Veracruz, before we astonishingly realized this movie was shot in black and white. There is so much color in the culture, the people, and the language that hues and tones burst out of each scene. It’s a testament to the colors of Mexico, which has drawn many of us here, to brighten our lives and that of others.

    Roma, which is love in Spanish spelled backwards, is a movie packed with everyday Mexican life. Though is takes place in 1971, there is much that has not changed and life of many generations continues to thrive.  Roma is a section of the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City. which during the era it is set, the early 70’s, was an upper to middle class vicinity. It was beset with decline over the years, and more recently taken over by hipsters.

    Alfonso Cuarón wrote, directed and took over the cinematography of Roma and is known for a variety of successes, including the highly acclaimed Gravity; his first major success. Other projects include Y Tu Mamá También; Children of Men; and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Bent on authenticity for Roma, Cuarón gathered furniture from his family’s assorted homes throughout Mexico; most of the movie is filmed on location, relying on few sets. Anyone who’s been in a furniture store in Puerto Vallarta will see the complete accuracy of the upper level establishment where Cleo, the protagonist, goes with her matron (employer) to buy a crib for her unborn baby. There are no details untouched by authenticity of the era.

    Vendors will be recognizable by anyone living in Puerto Vallarta; their street calls remain the same over many decades.  Unless you are Mexican or have lived in the country for long enough to recognize him, the alfiliador who appears in Roma will hold little significance but it is a major turning point in the film. As Cleo sits mourning in her humble quarters, Adela, another maid, calls out to Cleo the presence of the afilador, the knife sharpener, warning his arrival with his familiar piccolo. In Mexican lore, the afilador carries portent, and is commonly used to scare little children into behaving. Adela is letting Cleo know it’s time to pull it together and get on with life.

    There are subtleties throughout. Airplanes flying overhead in many scenes, as well as the opening and closing, represent the constancy of air travel above Mexico City, a major hub, and they also indicate a vast world outside this small one encompassed in a massive city.

    The ocean scenes will have an effect on those of us in Puerto Vallarta, and Alfonso Cuarón does nothing to lessen the deafening roar. There is no doubt to the attraction, the pleasure, and the imminent danger.

    We struggled with some of the language without knowing certain characters were speaking Mixtec, an indigenous idiom, but the film is subtitled. Roma is currently available on Netflix.

    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.