Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – MiMi Bomba has returned to Puerto Vallarta after four weeks in the United States, where she spent time with her grand-babes, family and friends. She loved every minute of her time away, but coming home brought a familiar feeling: it was as if she had never left. For MiMi, Vallarta isn’t simply where she lives. It is where she feels she belongs.
I just spent two weeks in Oregon with my grand-babes, family, and friends, and it was lovely! Then I spent two weeks in California with my sister-in-law, who is one of the kindest people in the world. I enjoyed every second while I was in the States, and I cherish my friends and family there for sure!
I returned home to Puerto Vallarta yesterday, and it seems as though I never left. I call Vallarta my home because this is where I feel I belong. Honestly, if I didn’t have family and dear friends in the US, I would likely never go there again.
My plans for the next few weeks include ceviche at MaMa Colibri, happy hours at La Carreta with the ladies, and trying to come up with ideas for this column … which is not happening.
So I will just tell you a story about how I met Deb Darling. When I first arrived in PV, I heard about an expat meeting at Langostinos. So I was sitting there, and I heard this voice. “Payaso! Payaso!” as a clown walked by. So I thought, that must be how to say “clown” in Spanish! A new word! (Shout out to Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday). Those of you of a certain age will remember that, right?
Anyway, back to the expat meeting and the happy voice shouting “Clown” in Spanish. It was a lovely woman sitting with friends at a beach table, and I knew immediately that I wanted her to be my friend. It was Deb Darling. So I joined them and pretty much just sat and listened to them and admired how warm a community they had formed in PV. Especially, I admired Deb Darling.
That was 13 years ago, and today I count Deb as one of my dearest and kindest friends. We have been through a lot together over the years, and I can honestly say that she has always – always – been there for me. For those of you who have read my column, Tequila is Evil, Deb was there that day and made sure I got home safely. Also, she was very defensive of me, telling the others, “She needed this.” (If you didn’t read that column, I will tell you that it ends with “I still like tequila.”)
That’s all I have for now. Thank you for reading my silly words!
¡Gracias por leer mis palabras tontas!
Your MiMi Bomba
Writing with warmth, wit, and a deep affection for Puerto Vallarta, MiMi Bomba draws inspiration from classic humorists while creating a style all her own. Her stories celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make life in Puerto Vallarta both unpredictable and rewarding. Click HERE to read more essays by MiMi Bomba.
