Does This Make Sense?

I guess I am back in my literary criticism mode. Hey, I don't have to upload any pictures for this and my uploading is excruciatingly slow.

I am reading Dan Brown's novel Deception Point. I came across this sentence and it makes no sense to me whatsoever:

"Despite having ascended to the most powerful political office in the world, President Zachary Herney was average in height, with a slender build and narrow shoulders."

Why would ascending to the most powerful political office affect either your height or your build?

Do you think Mr. Brown meant to say:

"Despite being of average height, with a slender build and narrow shoulders, President Zachary Herney was able to ascend to the most powerful political office in the world."

Of course why Mr. Brown thinks being of average height and having a slender build with narrow shoulders might prevent you from becoming President of the United States is another question altogether.

It is a beautiful day here in Puerto Vallarta. Sunny with a nice breeze blowing in from the ocean. The young Mexican women are frolicking topless on the beach, their brown breasts bouncing merrily about as they ply you with frozen margaritas in a variety of flavors.

Well, at least it really is sunny with a nice breeze.

Something Fishy

There is certainly something fishy about the weather, that is for sure. Another torrential downpour in what is supposed to be the dry season.

Just Walking In The Rain


It hasn't been consistently rainy, though. Thank goodness. Just the other day a bunch of us headed out to Boca for a fun-filled day on the beach.

A nice sunny day and just perfect for watching the waves and having a few cervezas and chips with salsa. All for just seven pesos on one of those buses that, at least according to a columnist in the PVMirror, only carries one or two people at a time. Now, granted, about half the people on the bus were tourists heading to either Mismaloya or Boca. But the other half were Mexicans heading off to work in the various resorts and restaurants that line the route.

A Crowded Bus Ride


That Got Even More Crowded


There are several little restaurants that line the beach adjacent to the Boca river and they all kind of blend together. Each restaurant have different colored tablecloths and the one I like has yellow checkered ones. They are all pretty good except the one closest to the river. That is the one where they shuttle in the cruise ship passengers and should be avoided at all costs unless you want to have mediocre food in the company of twenty or thirty tourists who have to eat and run before they shuttle them out and shuttle the next bunch in.

Enjoying Our Cerveza And Chips








The waiter said one of their specials was a whole snapper, which isn't too unusual. What was unusual was that they had a four pounder and a five and a half pounder. We took one look at the four pounder and decided that was for us. It looked like it had just been pulled out of the water it was so fresh.

A Really Fresh Fish


They split the fish open and then grilled it with a very flavorful barbecue sauce and it was simply fantastic.

Ready For Eating


Needless to say, not a bit went to waste.

Finished Fish



We also ordered something they called Mummy Shrimp. It was shrimp wrapped in bacon with cheese. Simply fantastic. Even Bill liked them. In fact he said they were the best shrimp he had ever eaten.

After our meal we were offered a shot of racillia that the waiter said his grandfather made on his ranch. He gave it to us for free, so I have no reason to believe he wasn't telling the truth. Most of the good racillia is kind of a semi-moonshine. The stuff that they try to sell you in the tourist traps is a low-proof knock-off and not worth the price. The good stuff, like this, is a bit on the harsh side and packs a wallop.

Here's Looking At You, Sweetheart


After our lunch we took a little walk up the river, kind of a tradition.

River Scenery




To get to the other side of the river intially you cross a fairly sturdy cement bridge. The adventure is after you go up the river a ways and have to cross a considerably less sturdy wooden suspension bridge.

Crossing The Bridge







It wasn't until we got to the other side that we noticed the sign.

It Doesn't Say "WELCOME"


It translates roughly to:

DANGER
NO USE!!
CROSS LOWLANDS
IT'S VERY RISKY

When we asked the kids on the other side of the bridge if it was safe they said "Of course." And, to be fair, the Mexican kids didn't seem to have any hesitation about scampering across. But, now that I think about it, they only crossed one at a time and were all considerably lighter than even the Mysterious Chinese Woman, except when she floats upon her orange cloud.

And, you may have noticed, I was sent over first as a test.

We all made it across safe and sound, though and then headed on back to catch another crowded bus home. All and all it was a most fun-filled day.

Valentine's Day And Chinese New Year

Another lovely day here in Puerto Vallarta, and nothing says perfection like the sun, the sea, and a bag of chips.

Ah, Paradise


One of my favorite restaurants, although one I haven't gotten to yet this year, El Dorado went all out decorating for Valentine's Day.

Red, Red, And More Red


A bunch of us decided to combine the Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years celebrations by having dinner at one of the few Chinese restaurants here in Puerto Vallarta.

Peking Restaurant And Bar


Interestingly, although the place is still named Peking Restaurant and Bar, they have changed the name of their Peking Duck to Bejing Duck.

Studying The Menu


We had ordered the Bejing Duck earlier in the day and then ordered a bunch of other dishes off the menu. Everything was very good. As good as you get in most of the restaurants in Manhattan's Chinatown.

Most of us ordered manly drinks while we waited for our food -

And Then There Was Bill


Soon enough the duck arrived and was carved at tableside.

Duck, Duck, Bejing Duck


I can't remember everything we had, but I know we had a chicken dish, a beef dish, a pork dish, fried rice, noodles, and probably more.

A Small Sample


Marcie Digging In


The Mysterious Chinese Woman seemed pleased with everything.

Happy Happy Joy Joy


There were seven of us enjoying our feast.

Chris, Tony, Chris (the female one) and Bill


And a couple of Valentine's Day couples.

Bill And Marcie


The Mysterious Chinese Woman And Bar Man


It was a very nice dinner and when we finished it we headed to Bill and Marcie's place where Marcie had made a chocolate cake for dessert. Bill made sure that we knew that he made the frosting and frosted the cake. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture.

Marcie loves to bake, chocolate cakes and brownies are her specialty so I am sure I will get another chance to get pictures of her (and let's not forget Bill's) handiwork. We are having a deck party on Thursday so I should get some pictures then. And pictures of my specialty, deviled eggs.

Bourne Dumb

Okay, my last kvetch about The Bourne Legacy.

After seeing Jason Bourne's picture on television the clerk at the motel where he has checked in notifies the CIA or DIA or whatever agency. They, of course raid the motel. As they are pulling into the parking lot a large refrigerator truck is pulling out. The raid team leader runs up to the driver and tells him to "haul ass out of here." Why would they even think of checking the truck?

Then they discover that Jason Bourne has left his room and taken all of the blankets with him. Hmm, refrigerator truck just left, blankets keep you warm..., could there be a connection? Apparently not. No attempt to chase down the truck and no call to the roadblock to tell them to search it. So, of course, no thorough check of the truck is done at the roadblock and Jason escapes.

Okay, no more. My next post will be about Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year.

And no more Jason Bourne - this book is just too dumb.