Puerto Vallarta has a way of making everyday life feel a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. In her latest humorous reflection, MiMi Bomba shares stories of the people who have come to her rescue over the years – from tech experts and delivery drivers to waiters, fumigators, and a few unexpected heroes who appeared just when she needed them.
I love it when men do nice things for me. Even if I pay them, I still love the feeling. Here are some examples:
- My phone, my laptop, and my legal software all went down at the same time! I always blame Gremlins, but that day I took it to Julio at PV Tec Sol, which is on Pulpito, really close to where I live. Julio was my Super Hero that day because he fixed my laptop (which fixed the software), and he fixed my smartphone (which fixed my life!) I can barely remember all the years we didn’t have smartphones or computers or the internet. Do you remember? One (yellow or avocado) phone attached to the wall, with a long curly cord that never unwound itself after being dragged into the next room too many times. But I digress. Shout out to Julio! Mil gracias! By the way, Julio will even come to your home or place of business!
- When I’m in a restaurant, and the meseros bring me great food. When I’m at a bar, and the bartender brings me Negra Modelos. When I’m on an airplane, and I play the old-lady card and ask a man to put my suitcase in the overhead. All these things make me very happy.
- When I order food, and an Uber Eats guy shops for me, drives to my condo, and brings everything up ten steps to my condo. Joy. Pure joy! If I ask them, they will even take out my trash for me! Above and beyond. Of course, I tip them when they do that.
- When the Uber driver takes me wherever I want to go. Anywhere I want. Who needs a car when you can pretend you have your own personal driver take you around Paradise while you relax in the back seat? Sometimes I practice my Spanish on them. They are captive and can’t get away, but they are always helpful and they don’t laugh at me. Maybe on the inside, they think, “¡Que idiota!” But on the outside, Mexicans are too polite and kind to say it. “¡Aaay, Que Gringa estupida!”
Here’s an example of the joy of living here in Puerto Vallarta combined with my happiness when men do something sweet for me: One day I was walking on Amapas, and I tripped slightly and went down on one knee. Not a big deal. Nothing injured. I was fine. However, no fewer than six Guapos ran across the street, helped me up, and insisted on taking me to Green Chairs with them. I am still friends with some of them. That is Vallarta!
Contrast that experience to when I lived in the US a while back: One day I was walking across a busy street in Seattle with the light, and my knee gave out for some reason (it might have had to do with the three-inch heels I was wearing), and I went down. Want to know how many men – or women – or anybody – helped me up? Or asked if I was okay? Zip. Zero. Nada.
They walked around me as though I was not in the middle of a crosswalk and the light was about to change. I realize that was an isolated incident, and it is not meant to criticize Seattle, a city which I love. It’s simply a comparative anecdote about two occasions when MiMi hit the dirt and injured her pride. Guapos versus Gringos? Nah. just a story.
That’s it for today, Todos.
I love you all,
MiMi (the Klutz) 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.