Culture

There are a number of different cultures going on here.  There are the snowbirds.  Primarily white, older North Americans.  They are divided into 2 categories.  One group is strictly the beach tourist group.  They seem to generally stick around the beach front where the town has been set up for tourists.  (Tourism is the main economic industry here.)  Many parade around in their bathing suits, sitting at the beach-side bars as if they were sun-tanning.  I have to say, some people should be banned from wearing bikinis.  Some people should be banned from wearing speedos.  Actually, I think all men should be banned from wearing speedos.  Actually, the more I think of it, people wearing nothing but bathing attire at a beach bar is just not appropriate.  Can you not at least put on a t-shirt??

The other category of snowbirds also includes the ex-pats that live here now year round.  Or those that are here for much of the winter but wish they could be here year round.  They are actually living here, shopping in the same shops as the Mexicans, venturing out into other areas of the city, besides the tourist strip along the beach.  They are involved in local events going on here.  A couple we’ve met, for example, is involved at the local library, helping to organize the silent auction happening on Friday.  On Sunday I went to church with Lucille and my mom to the local Spanish speaking Catholic Church.  The church was packed full, standing room only.  There were also many white churchgoers who seemed to me to be those that get to know what life is like in PV and have learned (or are learning) to speak the language. 

The tourists and the gringos clearly provide business for many a street vendor and souvenir shop and labourer.  They clearly create a whole economy and set of jobs for many Mexicans.  Saturday we went to the Farmer’s Market.  I was surprised not to find many farmers there.  In fact, many of the booths were gringo artisans and their little crafts and dips and jams and things.  Larry and I had gone out today to do some shopping for things we needed; fruta, huevos, leche.  We couldn’t find any of this at the “Farmer’s Market” so we headed back up into town where we had walked yesterday and remembered seeing some market shops there.  It took us a little while to find it again as we were coming from a different direction.  But we did and it was worth it.  We were shopping with the other locals and figured out the system of getting yourself a tub to put your things in and I asked for diez huevos en espagnol!  (I took 1^st year Spanish eons ago and little bits keep popping back into mind, now that I’m here—I’d asked for 10 eggs because I forgot how to say 12.)  Though I appreciate staying in a nice place right by the beach, with palm tree and ocean view…I like going up into the main part of town where the locals are and being part of the culture there.  And then I have to admit that it’s nice to come back down to the beach for margaritas.  It’s nice to be a part of both worlds.

There’s a big gay culture here.  My gaydar is not generally very effective but I’m noticing it a lot here.  Homosexuality seems to be very open and accepted.  There are gay pride flags on some buildings.  It is clear that particularly white gay males have come and set up businesses here; new fancy schmancy condo time share complex going up, activity centre, bars, restaus…  I see a mixture of different kinds of couples; mixed white and Mexican, older, younger, more flamboyant, less flamboyant.  There are lesbians too but I’m not noticing them as much, they’re not as flamboyant.  It is clear to me in any case, that gay men should not be wearing speedos either!  Today at the “Farmer’s Market” there were four gay men singing barbershop quartet (except they called it beautyshop quartet dragapella).  They were amazing and I thought the style of music really suited their dramatics and flamboyance!  I have to admit that I’m a little surprised.  I figured that for a society that I thought was not considered as developed as ours, and one that is very Catholic, it wouldn’t be so kosher to be so open.  I am glad that I was wrong.  Larry has discovered that the influence of the Catholic Church is not so significant in politics because in history the church was not often very helpful or supportive of the common people and their struggles.  It turns out that the federal state of Mexico is quite liberal and has sanctioned gay marriage.  State by state then decides whether they go for it or not.  Jalisco state, where Puerto Vallarta is, has just had an election and elected the liberal government, so they’re expecting gay marriage to be endorsed locally.