From Here
Turning 80 never looked better than it did last week on Rob Burton, whose birthday celebration - complete with fireworks - took place on the labyrinth at the illustrious villa, Casa Karma. The deejay kept those oldies rolling as people sang, danced, and partied at the edge of the sea. A few of the invitees sang a song or two to honor their wonderful friend. You are seriously loved, Rob.
My sister Patrice has undertaken the task of bringing medical supplies from Canada's ''Not Just a Tourist'' to Mexico. Her first delivery was to the Regional Hospital, through super-volunteer Dale Bouayadi. Anything that they could not use went to Vallarta Cares. Thanks, Dale, for facilitating my sister's enormous generosity of heart.
The last Gay Mixer of the season was at the gayest venue in Vallarta - the Tryst Hotel. Over 570 happy people imbibed complimentary cocktails for two hours. Out & About Puerto Vallarta magazine hosted 30 Mixers this season, with over 8,000 people attending and experiencing new businesses (and friends!) throughout the season. Cheers to Jet de la Isla and Jerry Jones for creating - for me, anyway - the most fun-filled two hours every Tuesday, all season long.
The Gay Pride Parade 2026 was spectacular, with improved floats, dazzling costumes, and an energy level that uplifted the entire universe. The joy and love pouring out from everyone participating landed squarely on us, cheering from the sidelines, and exponentially could have lit whole cities.
The sizzling energy continued through the streets down to Lazaro Cardenas, where thousands were entertained by producer Chris Lopez's second annual Pride Block Party. Drag queens, dancers, a few local stars from Coco Cabaret, and The Palm sang before and after famous imports from Mexico City. The euphoria continued as the crowd screamed along to the headliners' lyrics. It was wildly scintillating and so busy, I could not reach my lovely friend Chris to hug him hard and thank him for his amazing talent and creative organizational skills.
A quiet breakfast of Eggs Florentine at Langostinos the next morning was the only perfectly orchestrated part of the day - sanfu after snafu changed our evening destination to the point we were an hour late for everything, so, when stressed out, eat, right? We wanted to try the vegetarian burger at the brand-new, gorgeous Cheeky Lounge, so we did. It was so cold inside, we sat out in the covered patio by ourselves and regrouped with an extra order of great fries.
Saturday afternoon, photographer and dear friend, Deborah Cole, recently returned from a working vacation in Spain, whisked us off to El Patron Polo Club in San Pancho, especially to watch budding escaramuza charras run through their paces. These adorable young girls learn the twists and turns of the dramatic choreography of the 'skirmish' on stick hobby horses, that they must 'ride' and pat their encouragement. Each child was beautifully dressed in coordinated, brightly colored, floor-length 19th-century-style skirts. Deborah delivered specially made cookies, delighting the girls and their teacher, Annie. The Polo Club is in the middle of seemingly nowhere and is nothing short of spectacular. The setting, the rich details, and the chill vibe are unlike anything I have ever witnessed in Mexico. Go for dinner and/or drinks and enjoy. What a day!
Lunch at the Vallarta Botanical Garden is always special, and yesterday's weather, food, and company were no exception. I missed seeing my old, lovely friend and founder of the VBG, Bob Price, who was ogling plant life in San Luis Potosí. Jim Davies was also lunching with friends; we have known one another for nearly 30 years! I commented yesterday that I feel like I add two years to my life with every visit to that amazing Garden just south of town.
Don't forget to pick up your free hardwood scraps to fire your pizza ovens tomorrow at Hyden Custom Furniture in Colonia Lazaro Cardenas between noon and 4. While you are there, check out craftsman Sacha Cantor's showroom, which is filled with his sleek, handmade furniture.
Vallarta's unusually high temperatures have given me heat rash! I told my herbalist, Ricardo Mazcal, about it at his market on the Isla Cuale on Saturday. He handed me a jar of his celebrated ''Antimitotic Cream, " and it helps! Ricardo will give you 20% off this odorless, colorless dream cream this week.
Six more sleeps and my sister Patrice returns to Canada. Time really does fly when you are having fun, From Here.
