Timothy Real Estate

Etiqueta: puerto vallarta

  • 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.

  • Nap Time in Puerto Vallarta

    Time for a Good Nap

    High season is winding down and even though there are still many activities, the town has quieted and we feel more relaxed and looking forward to summer nights with friends, cool breezes coming off the ocean, and early mornings, the best time for a good walk around the neighborhood. In Puerto Vallarta, these actions call for a nice siesta in the afternoon to preserve energy for the evening and catch up following an early rising.

    We have read time and again that naps are a regular routine for successful people; statistics show that nappers have less heart issues and better all-around good health. Not just in Puerto Vallarta, the siesta is a symbol of intelligent and healthy behavior. Smart people in hot climates, such as Puerto Vallarta, are known to sleep through the hottest part of the day, eat a light dinner in the cool evening hours after sundown, and accomplish more in their waking hours.

    Siesta originates from the Latin hora sexta, which means the sixth hour. In many cultures, a day actually began at dawn, making the sixth hour noon, a perfect time to rest, collect thoughts, ideas, and future inventions, following what should be the best and largest meal of the day. Practiced in the Mediterranean and the South of Europe (riposo in Italy), as well as the Philippines and much of Latin America, it’s common for businesses to close, giving both proprietors and guests a chance to stay at home, have a midday feast, and a well deserved break. Siesta is not limited to countries with warm climates; South American countries, regardless of year round temperatures, make it a practice.

    Studies have shown that Mexicans and Japanese are the hardest working cultures, putting to bed the image of a large belly under a sombrero sleeping beneath a cactus. Therefore, in Puerto Vallarta, the siesta should never be viewed as a symbol of laziness, but one of purpose and brilliance. The siesta has been around since the beginning of time, when smart people in hot climates, such as Puerto Vallarta, sleep through the hottest part of the day and eat a light dinner in the cool evening hours, after the sun has gone down.

    When homeostatic sleep and circadian rhythms, the subjects of sleep, are the topic of talk shows and scientific studies, we know we have made the correct choice of living in the paradise we find in Puerto Vallarta.

    High doses of Ambien from https://rosarydental.com/ambien-online/ can lead to various adverse effects such as bradycardia, ataxia, visual disturbances, dizziness, drowsiness, respiratory issues, nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, seizures, inappropriate behavior, loss of consciousness, and even coma. The dosage regimen should be tailored to each individual, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

    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.

  • Medical Matters in Puerto Vallarta

    Medical Matters in Puerto Vallarta

    The title of my column here somehow became “Medical Matters” but this is never to be confused with what is the REAL Medical Matters! This is a massive event that we have in February at the Hotel Marriott Casamagna.

    Medical Matters began about seven years ago when the US Consular agent and I decided to have a few physicians and hospitals with exhibits in a smaller sized room at the Marriott for folks to stop by, collect information and that was it. To say that it grew exponentially is an understatement.

    The most recent Medical Matters (held the year before last, I decided to take a rest for a year!) had almost 4,000 people pass through the doors throughout the day. The Grand Ballroom at the Marriott is filled to capacity with healthcare related exhibits/providers offering information on everything from lab studies to vascular specialists to insurance information and everything in between. In addition, we have three separate rooms running with continuous speakers programs given by local physicians on a wide variety of topics.

    This is for citizens from ALL countries.

    We are pretty strict with who can participate as an exhibitor. They must be legal and licensed to work in the Banderas Bay area and be an established and reputable business.  We have limited exhibitors to only local businesses because the focus on what is available HERE in the area.

    This is a no-charge event. Many people have suggested that I charge for this, even a nominal type fee like 50 pesos to attend. I waffle back and forth with this decision and have decided to keep it as a free event. Why? Believe me this is not a money-maker for Healthcare Resources. Exhibitors pay directly to the Hotel Marriott for their stands, not me. I still prefer to keep this open at no charge for people so that everyone is able to attend.

    Attempting to operate this colossal event is daunting. It cannot be done without a small army of volunteers who assist with everything from registration to manning the doors of the speaker’s rooms. This is a no-pay gig and if you are interested and available to assist, please send me an email as I am just now putting together the details for volunteer duties.  Thank you!

    We have not been without our challenges at past Medical Matters. The speakers rooms fill quickly and some, more ‘aggressive’ people actually fight over seats when they cannot have one.

    In past Medical Matters, the Marriott prepares and has put out throughout the day wonderful snacks of muffins, cookies and the like. Attempting to keep some people from filling their bags with these led me to last year, serve fresh fruit and vegetables instead, making it a bit more difficult to overload a bag. Try doing that and not making a mess in the bag. Ha! And after all, this is a health event so better to have healthy snacks.

    On the same theme, exhibitors complain that there are some people who rush in, run around the exhibitor’s room filling their bags with ‘free stuff’. Seriously. Pens and notepads, coffee cups and hand sanitizer; are they really that difficult to find around here?

    All in all, I am extremely proud of this event! We are able to present everything health-related in one day along with featuring some of our very best physicians speaking on current topics.

    So please save the date! February 11, 2019. Doors open at 9am. You will see massive amounts of publicity. So much so you will probably be sick of seeing it! But plan your day and we look forward to seeing you there! Now, my big challenge: my shoes for this year’s event!

    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 – Constitutional Holiday

    Constitution Day

    Puerto Vallarta loves any day when there’s a reason to celebrate. Constitution Day, on February 5th is recognized at the official date when the Mexican constitution was created in 1917. Drafted by Santiago Queretaro, the Public Constitution of the United Mexican States, or the Fundamental Law of Magna Carta, was signed by Venustiano Carranza and has been observed as a national holiday since that time.

    Mexico attained liberty from Spain in 1810 but it took nearly a century for a concrete constitution to be formed, with many drafts in the meantime. The war took a lot of steam out of Mexico, creating a downfall of the economy, widespread unemployment and insufferable economic instability. The first stable constitution was unacceptable, not only as a copy of the constitution of the United States but also for the promotion of absolute sovereignty. It wasn’t until 1957 that the constitution was amended to prohibit foreigners from taking over the Mexican government! Though it has stabilized considerably, a huge issue that wasn’t addressed for decades was racial turmoil. Mexico is long on determination and grit, but there has always been a foundation of disagreement, not unlike other nations with vast diverse populations.

    Schools are given a holiday on February 5th but in the interim, they study the constitution and every student in Puerto Vallarta is expected to have a firm understanding of the fundamentals.

    One of the biggest achievements of the Mexican constitution is the freedom of religion. There was a time that Catholics were persecuted and slaughtered due to their allegiance to the Catholic Church, a little known fact for non-Mexicans. Prior to the administration of Venustiano Carranza, and the writing of the constitution as we know it today, the government focused largely on annihilating the influence of the Catholic Church over Mexicans. The Cristero War was one of armed civilians at war with the government, resulting in thousands of innocent deaths. The current constitution protects Catholics and all other religious beliefs, the rights of the press and media, and the freedom of speech.

    In Puerto Vallarta, Constitution Day follows quickly on the heels of the Charro celebrations and these events coincide on many levels. It’s a great time to brush up on your Mexican history, find out what all the excitement is about, and have some fun in the process. For readers we recommend The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes (the translated version by Alfred J. MacAdam) for fiction; History of the Making of Mexico by William Prescott for non-fiction, which will take you from the conquering of Cortés all the day to modern day.

    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.

  • Back To My Beloved Puerto Vallarta

    I recently returned to Puerto Vallarta to spend a 10-day Thanksgiving holiday with my partner and 4 other close friends. It had been a long seven-year hiatus since I last visited this beautiful vacation destination. It was great to be back!

    What I love most about this Mexican seaport, besides its beautiful and remote beaches, are the people. The locals are friendly, informative, having a simple and authentic approach to life.

    Taniel Chemsian of Timothy Real Estate Group recommended we stay at a villa named Villa Azul Celeste in Lower Conchas Chinas. His suggestion couldn’t have been a more perfect and ideal vacation property for me and my friends.

    View from Amapas Romantic Zone
    View from Amapas Romantic Zone

    The property is about 2 miles south of downtown Puerto Vallarta and a few minutes taxi or bus ride to virtually anywhere you wanted to go. The villa was secluded and right on the water with its own pool and private beach. The staff was incredible; our private cook prepared delicious, Mexican specialties. Whatever we wanted we received. One thing to remember is if you want fresh cranberries for your Thanksgiving dinner, ask the staff to purchase them from the market early since they are imported and sell out fast.

    A lot has changed over the seven years; there are more conveniences such as Costco and Wal-Mart, new shopping malls hosting prominent department stores, great new restaurants and incredible new condominium developments for someone wanting to purchase a home in this tropical paradise.

    A fabulous new steak house in the Marina Vallarta recommended by Taniel Chemsian is a place called Sonora Grill. The ambiance was inviting, sophisticated and modern. The quality of the meat was incredible and the price point was reasonable.

    The new Malecon, where only pedestrians are allowed to roam freely, now provides for a relaxing and comfortable venue for a little shopping and having a great lunch. The Malecon is now connected to the famous Playa Los Muertos by the new Rio Cuale pedestrian bridge.

    Puerto Vallarta has developing nicely and has created a beautiful place to not only vacation but an ideal town at which to retire. During my stay I viewed a fine and affordable selection of condominium properties with Taniel. I was amazed at what your money can buy here vs. a property on any American coastline. There simply is no comparison.

    I am 53 years old and definitely could see myself spending half my time in Puerto Vallarta and the other half in San Diego where I live. At these value prices, it can be easily done.

    There is one more thing that I always do when I visit Puerto Vallarta and that is to take a private boat or water taxi to a more secluded beach. In the past I have been to Yelapa and love it because it is quiet and quaint with a beautiful old church and pleasant restaurants.

    This time we went to a beach called Las Animas, which I highly recommend as well. The water is clear and pristine, with white sand stretching out. The beach is also dotted with 3-4 restaurants, which is just perfect. It is a wider and bigger beach than Yelapa with chase lounges and tables setup with white tablecloths.

    There is nothing like spending a Sunday afternoon with great friends, sipping tequila, eating ceviche and listening to a guitar player singing old Latin pasillos and ballads. It was truly magical and a moment in time I will always remember.

    Once again I thank Taniel Chemsian who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for 10 years serving the community for recommending that special day to me. Muchisimas Gracias!

    By Rick Capitanio – San Diego, California

     

    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

  • Puerto Vallarta Living: Health Tips

    Health Tips When Traveling

    We love to eat, whether we’re in Puerto Vallarta or anywhere else in the world. So far we’ve been very lucky to not experience Montezuma’s Revenge or Delhi Belly, but it’s mostly about using common sense. You can partake in the local fares and not worry about spending your vacation in a bathroom, or worse yet, emergency room. Here’s how: Drink water, lots of it and make sure it’s purified (bottled or filtered). When flying, avoid coffee, sugary drinks and alcohol. They dehydrate you and the most important thing when traveling by air is to stay hydrated.
    When flying, get up and move around as much as your flight allows. We advise sitting without crossed legs, however unless you’re in First Class, that’s not likely possible anyway. Blood clots, especially in older travelers, can be very dangerous. Eat protein and avoid loads of carbs; you’ll feel much better. If you don’t take vitamins, this is a good time to start. We take a probiotic every morning. Eat fresh and don’t frequent establishments that look grubby or unkempt. Make sure you aren’t eating pre-prepared food. Yogurt is beneficial and you will see it in different forms in Puerto Vallarta; Yakult is everywhere and provides protection for the tummy.
    Wash your hands and keep them off your face and out of your mouth. Hand sanitizers are great for bacteria but they don’t do the job on viruses. Keep your hands clean, every chance you get, with soap and hot water.
    We recommend getting in shape before you take a trip. Walking is the best way to see things and there are a lot of stairs and hills in Puerto Vallarta, and you can expect to find them when you travel. If you are a runner, swimmer, biker, or whatever your healthy sport is, do a little research of your destination ahead and you will find the best locations and paths.
    We always travel with moleskin. It is readily available in any pharmacy, as well as Body Glide. Both products can make life a lot more pleasant if you’re walking a lot. Blisters and chafing can be avoided, and Body Glide works for rubbing sandal straps, knapsacks and backpacks and is a must for anyone using a wetsuit. Be sure to have well fitting shoes, more than one pair.
    Don’t overdo, over-drink, or over-think. Get enough rest each night to start out your next day fresh. Being inebriated can get you into all sorts of trouble, so limit your intake and don’t go wild. If you’re traveling in a country or town you aren’t familiar with, you’ll see things that aren’t normal to your senses. Don’t jump to conclusions and if you think you’re witnessing something odd or unusual, ask a person in a reasonable position of authority. If you feel ill, find out how to see a doctor or what types of walk-in clinics are available. Chances are the cost will be surprisingly low, someone will speak your language, and putting things off can make you really sick. Your stomach may be upset for a day or two in any foreign place; take this is stride. You’re probably adjusting. Don’t drink a lot and stick to mild foods; likely you’ll feel better in a matter of hours.
    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

  • The Story of Raicilla

    Travelers along the western seaboard of Mexico in the vicinity of Puerto Vallarta occasionally happen onto roadside vendors of a moonshine mezcal called Raicilla (rye-see-ya). The name Raicilla was originally used to disguise this type of mezcal in order to escape restrictions on alcohol production and the related taxes. My experience has always been that the sale of Raicilla was somewhat clandestine; sales being made on side streets or in small palapas clinging to the mountainsides at the edge of town. Packaging was usually a screwtop Coke bottle or some other recyclable container and the quality of the beverage verged on the raw side. Behind the harsh flavor, there was always an interesting aftertaste that brought me back and fueled my search for a smoother more civilized Raicilla.

    For the past ten years I have crisscrossed Mexico looking for new tequilas and mezcals and adding to my research notes, always searching and sampling. Recently, I discovered a legitimate producer of Raicilla, one who has combined the best of historic techniques with the advantages of modern technology. This is the “Destiladora del Real” located in the mountains above Puerto Vallarta. In the past, this area was famous for it’s mining, and the well-paid miners expected their liquor to be of the best quality.

    The towns producing Raicilla are San Sebastian del Oeste, Hostotipaquillo, Talpa, Mascota, Atenguillo, Guachinango, and Etzatlan. A combination of reddish brown soils, sun, and rain in this part of western Jalisco created the perfect environment for the growth of the Agave Lechuguilla which is the sugar source for Raicilla. This agave is a member of the botanical Group Crenatae and is identified as Agave Inaequidens or Agave Maximiliana, commonly known as “Pata de Mula” (Mules Foot). Agave Lechugilla is somewhat smaller than the agaves that pulque and tequila are made from. As the agave matures it begins to put up a flowering stalk (quiote); this is cut off so that all of the plants sugars are directed to the heart. About the 8th to 10th year the plant matures and is harvested by “Jimadores” who cut away the spiny outer leaves with long handled knives (coas). The heart of the plant that remains looks like a pineapple and in fact is called a “piña”. These piñas, weighing about one hundred pounds, are taken from the fields to the “taberna” where Raicilla processing takes place.

    Every step of this process is done completely by hand. The piñas are placed in large wood fired brick ovens (hornos) where they are cooked for 24 hours. After cooking they are chopped into chunks with machetes and beaten into a pulp with large wooden mallets (mazos) in a wooden tray called a”batea”.

    The crushed agave and juice is placed in 100 liter wooden vats with copper bottoms (perols), or 55gal. drums, where it ferments with the natural plant yeasts for 7 – 9 days. After fermentation is complete, a cap is placed on the vat and sealed with adobe mud, this is connected to a copper distillation coil and the vat heated.

    After distilling for about 8 hours, the resulting distillate is a high quality, 100% natural Raicilla known as “Las Raicillas del Real” or “La Punta”

    To appreciate the efforts that go into a “boutique” Raicilla, consider that it takes 15 pounds of agave to produce 1 liter of Raicilla and that only 50 liters of distillate are made every 24 hours.

    Traditionally, the first few drops of distillate that emerge are tossed in the air, if it evaporates before landing, the brew is good.

    Raicilla can be consumed straight in a “Caballito” (tequila shot glass), but is more commonly served chilled in a wineglass, over the rocks, or with Squirt or some type of grapefruit soda.

    A popular saying of the Mexican people is: “Para Todo Mal, Mezcal y Para Todo Bien Tambien” (For everything bad, Mezcal and for everything good too)

    Source: <tequilamescal.com>

    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

  • Vallarta Real Estate Inspired Living: Buen Fin

    Buen Fin and Mexican Economy

    If you were out and about in Puerto Vallarta the past couple of weeks, you couldn’t have missed the advertising of Buen Fin. Buen Fin is Black Friday in Mexico and Puerto Vallarta gets in on the act in all of their popular shopping venues. This year topped the charts in popularity and purchases. Over 120 billion pesos (US $6.2 billion) was spent in the four day event this past weekend, which was a 7% increase over last year’s sales.

    If you missed it, there are still some lingering sales in stores around town and it won’t do any harm to ask them to honor Buen Fin prices, which most retailers are likely to do to make the sale in an individual store. Don’t expect Costco to do this, but many of the other big box stores will, as will the smaller, locally owned businesses. However that’s not what we want to point out in this blog.

    The results of this past weekend far exceeded the expectations of Concanaco, the Confederation of Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Mexico. Known as the cheapest weekend of the year, stores were flooded with people taking advantage of the upward economy, which had an increase in growth of 0.1% over the summer. That in itself is a very good sign, taking into account the economy in Mexico showed signs of stagnating in the first and second quarter of this year. Those early predictions were depressing but it’s great to know they were incorrect. Records were broken instead!

    This year, the biggest purchases were large-screen TVs, and large and small appliances. White goods, toys and tools were in the top fifteen items purchased, a sign that people are making improvements in their homes and lives. Shopper numbers were also up by an astonishing amount of 20% higher than 2018, with many using credit cards, a relatively new concept for Mexicans. Keep in mind, this type of spending is a major boost to the national and local economy.

    Be ready for Buen Fin next year, when the Bank of Mexico will make it even easier to make purchases in Puerto Vallarta by employing the use of their new digital payment system, CoDi.

    Que es cómo es.

  • Vallarta Inspired Living News: The Huichol People

    Art of the Huichol People

    There’s still time to see the incredible exhibit of Wixárika (Huichol) at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas in Guadalajara. A quick trip over the mountains during the holidays is a good idea, when the beaches are crowded with nationals on winter break. Grandes Maestros del Arte Wixárika (Grand Masters of Wixárika Art) is showing until December and then the pieces will go back to places like Harvard University and the Museum of Natural History in New York, from whence they have been borrowed. There are about fifty pieces of these amazing yarn paintings which are created in a manner of pressing the yarn of brightly colored dyed pieces into a beeswax and pine resin base.

    The artistic creations of the Huicholes, which have found a market throughout Mexico, consist mainly of colorful yarn paintings and clay objects, gourds, jewelry and clothing. They’re sold through distribution in museums, boutique shops, airport souvenir stores and directly from the artisans. Made with a foundation of thin layers of wax and resin into which the yarn is meticulously pressed, nierikas or votive paintings are the result of dreams and journeys. Tiny glass beads, imbedded in the same type of basework, magically cover gourds, vases and clay objects in such shapes as deer, reptiles, jaguar heads, skulls and masks. Older works of art contain seeds, coral, semi-precious gems and tiny shells. The Huichol art was a well kept secret until the early 1960’s when it began to make an appearance in art galleries in Guadalajara. Interest caught on quickly and what were once left as offerings to gods in caves and the hills of the high desert, became highly desired collectors’ pieces, some fetching none too altruistic prices.

    The Huicholes symbolism has serious significance and is the groundwork of the culture. Tatewari, the god of fire and Tayaupa, the sun, are the grandparents and the source of all life. The Blue Deer, Kauyumari, the guardian spirit, leads the shamans in their peyote dreams. The deer give their life to the Huichol so they might sustain theirs and when a deer is sacrificed, an elaborate purifying ceremony follows to make sure the animal is properly acknowledged and thanked. Arrows represent departed family; Birds are messengers to and from the gods; Turtles are responsible for all forms of water; Snakes are direct instructors to shamans. The Scorpion is represented as a repellent of bad luck and evil, thought to be very dangerous and yet held in great esteem. Candles are very prominent in ceremonies and characterize the illumination of the human spirit. Traditionally, colors in yarn paintings were limited to White (cloud spirits), Red (fire and masculinity), Blue (water, ocean, rain, femininity), Green (earth, heaven, healing, heart, grandfather, growth), Orange (the sacred land where the peyote grows) and Yellow, often thought to represent corn, the basic sustenance of all ancient Mexico, but used primarily as a ceremonial face paint.

    Que es cómo es.