Monday Musings Paradise Blog-Vacation Joys and Sports Adjustments

I still have a couple of joyous days to indulge in here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It is our fourth visit here and first since 2016, the pandemic having waylaid a return before this. We pretty much love everything about the place. We don’t stay in a resort, instead downtown, this time in a lovely condo. The only downsides to this spot are the fact that the beach is a bit rocky, and the waves crash right on the shore, precluding one of my favorite pastimes, body surfing, and the fact that you have to use the phrase “No Gracias” about fifty times a beach visit as the peddlers come by. That being said, my wife Jayne doesn’t always say “No Gracias” so we come home with more than we arrived with.

The upside is that you really get a feel for the community, both good and bad, with the joys of tourism in a stunning setting juxtaposed with the less than glamorous existence of the home area residents. This is an area filled with fascinating shops and galleries, there are many visitors from other countries besides the U.S., and a very palpable LGBTQ influence. It creates a rather cool mix of just about everything under the sun, from young American dudes in large groups who look like they played on the same (American) football team, to flamboyantly stylish young gay couples, to older couples of all persuasions enjoying the weather, the music, the amazing food, and the staggering vistas.

For me, and us, the days bring a delightful mix of an early workout in a rooftop gym, ultra delicious lunches, amazing beach time, and on this visit, a healthy dose of the World Cup, and other sports. I have consumed the soccer in a blend of ways. The tech has always been challenging, but somewhat conquered. For instance, on Friday, I watched the first 75 minutes of the Croatia-Spain match at the gym. I then headed to our place for the conclusion, only to have my phone feed freeze, so my wife scrambled with the TV, and our best option was a Tottenham Hotspur stream of two young guys facing camera who described the action (which we couldn’t see) as Croatia dramatically evened the game late. I was showering as my wife screamed along with the commentators as Croatia scored. We then watched the guys call the penalties as Spain was upset by the tiny nation of four million.

The combination of vacation fun and sports played out again on Saturday, as I watched on my phone as Morocco took a first half lead as I sweated on the elliptical, then I walked the streets and watched, only to have the feed freeze again with four minutes left as I returned to the condo, and I had to just wait out the amazing Moroccan upset of Portugal by reading updates. For France’s win over England, I laid in a beach chair as my phone feed stayed strong for the entire second half, having already reserved a parasailing adventure that would send me skyward after the defending champions survived getting overplayed by England and pulling one out 2-1 after a late penalty miss by Harry Kane. I pretty much feel awful for anyone who misses a PK with the weight of their nation on them (maybe except for Ronaldo LOL). A magical career like Kane’s gets a giant asterisk with these high profile failings. Really kinda sucks.

What didn’t suck at all was subsequently flying 400 feet in the air attached to a parachute. It was the third time I have parasailed, and it certainly is an absolute blast. You truly feel like a bird. It is the simplest of takeoffs, my experiences all from land, the boat at the front of the line you are attached to starts off, you take a few running steps, the line gets taut, and poof, are up in the air, flying over the ocean for 10-15 minutes of glee. Still haven’t convinced Jayne to give it a go, not matter how much I rave about its joy, and seamless execution.

There was plenty of seamless execution and joy for Kansas in the latest renewal of the revived basketball Border War. A packed house in Columbia had their fire doused within minutes as the Tigers, 9-0 off a schedule ranked near the bottom of D-1, were simply helpless against the Jayhawks. To the point that after starting the process of diving into various consumption options, I saw the score mounting, and merely checked in to some Twitter updates as Jayne and I headed up the mountainside for a sunset dinner. The Jayhawks not only doled out punishment for the Tigers, they allowed me to not concern myself with anything but delicious tapas, and stunning vistas.. Missouri looks like they will be better this year, but not on this day, and KU looks like their usual selves at this time of year, good with flaws, but plenty of answers to call upon as the season rolls on.

We continued Saturday evening spending a little time watching a guitar trio at a nearby bar called Margaritatime. We saw the same guys six years ago here, and had struck up a little relationship then.with them. They play to a mostly American tourist crowd, and they mostly play familiar covers, but in an acoustic fashion with impeccability and skill. On my last visit, I placed a few bets on the last night of our trip at a little sports bar which is still there but no longer has betting. I won all the bets but thought the games were earlier so I wasn’t going to be able to cash in. It was about eighty five dollars. I had the card of the band leader, who had told me that the three musicians still rode an hour on the bus each way to their six night a week gig. I found that surprising seeing as their tips seemed whopping. When I got home, still holding the winning tickets, I mailed them to him. I think that eighty five U.S. was a pretty nice surprise. Thankfully, they still play there, the crowds are great, and apparently the returns are better. I spoke with the band leader, and with each of us not speaking much of the others language, found out that they all now lived fairly close by, and can walk to the gig. That made me feel quite good.

And then Sunday, the Chiefs were at it again.. I headed down to the beach to lounge and read while Jayne stayed back at the condo at the pool. I started following what I expected to be a blowout on the phone with the option of heading to a nearby bar if there was drama involved. Of course you know a Willie Gay pick six sent a first half lead to 27-0. I decided to head into the water to play in the surf. As I mentioned at the top that doesn’t mean real body surfing, but it’s still fun in the perfect water temperature. Like a nursery rhyme, the water is not too warm, and not too cold.. I frolicked for about a half an hour, only to return to find that the Chiefs, who I have called theatrical all season long, had decided once more to inject some angst into the fan base by allowing three touchdowns wrapped around halftime to make it a one score game. Two TD’s came after two of Patrick Mahomes three interceptions, on a day when he was both spectacular and careless.

I still felt that the Chiefs were almost certain to win, and of course they would, but even restoring a two score lead wouldn’t end the drama. Even knocking Russell Wilson out of the game wouldn’t either as Brett Rypien (?) led the leagues worst offense to another touchdown. But in the end, again, the Chiefs would raise blood pressure around the metro, but add another win. The upshot for the Chiefs continues to be that they have a lot to clean up, and they are still a heartbeat from the number one seed. Mahomes needs to be just a tick less reckless, the Chiefs need to be better on short yardage, and the defense just needs to be better period. Yet, the Chiefs are 10-3.

But still, it would be nice if a team with this much to offer would occasionally, literally and figuratively, make games with overmatched opponents at day at the beach.