Wow. What a heartfelt post, Skylar. It really is true. We bring the changes, perhaps unintentionally, but still we do. Your stands behind the Walmart sound like the stands at #23 in Cancun. But at the mercado they're actual stalls, with usually someone waiting behind. The food is so so exquisitely good. And the same people working, for years, and the teen who once did go-fer stuff is eventually doing the chopping and cooking. The beat goes on.
Thanks Jeanine, I appreciate it! Oh yeah I bet the mercado is pretty tasty, they always are haha. Im sure you’ve seen quite the change over the years there
Now I'm really sorry we missed that place! Last night here in San Miguel de Allende we ventured out of the turistica zona and found a hole in the wall place that served some pretty amazing food.
As for the places we love disappearing, I know you know it's complicated. While we were in Puerto Vallarta we met a local who told us that so many more Mexicans in Vallarta own cars and electronics than they did twenty years ago. And if not for tourism, Vallarta basically wouldn't exist -- along with all of those jobs.
No, it isn't perfect, but I took heart in the fact that every time I ventured to the Malecon it had plenty of gringos, but it also had loads of every day Mexicans out enjoying their city as well.
Yeah it’s definitely complicated, I agree. But it still feels like the prevailing gentrification force is so strong, that a slow erosion of many of the aspects that drew us there initially is inevitable
All I can say is that when I moved to Seattle way back in 1989, I immediately heard from locals how much newcomers like me had ruined the city and they wished they could turn back the clock. To me, Seattle was perfect in the 90s and Amazon ruined it it in the aughts and teens.
Change is inevitable and much depends on your perspective, which I'm already seeing play out here in San Miguel de Allend.
Sounds yummy! I don’t remember finding any tacos with both pork and asada on the same taco in PV. In Arizona now, we discovered Navajo Tacos, which are chili ( with beans), cheddar, lettuce, onion, and jalapeño, served flat on Navajo Fry bread. They are excellent, but so big two people can share one.
I love the description of life happening at the stand - makes you feel like you’re there
Wow. What a heartfelt post, Skylar. It really is true. We bring the changes, perhaps unintentionally, but still we do. Your stands behind the Walmart sound like the stands at #23 in Cancun. But at the mercado they're actual stalls, with usually someone waiting behind. The food is so so exquisitely good. And the same people working, for years, and the teen who once did go-fer stuff is eventually doing the chopping and cooking. The beat goes on.
Thanks Jeanine, I appreciate it! Oh yeah I bet the mercado is pretty tasty, they always are haha. Im sure you’ve seen quite the change over the years there
Lotsa changes!
You've captured in words what a picture would show. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thanks Stephanie, I appreciate it!
There's definitely something special about food culture in the road. And I don't mean American fast food...
Ah, the dread observer effect! It’s real, no matter where you go. Still, nice easy and your words did a great job of painting the picture.
haha thanks Tom, it is real!
Now I'm really sorry we missed that place! Last night here in San Miguel de Allende we ventured out of the turistica zona and found a hole in the wall place that served some pretty amazing food.
As for the places we love disappearing, I know you know it's complicated. While we were in Puerto Vallarta we met a local who told us that so many more Mexicans in Vallarta own cars and electronics than they did twenty years ago. And if not for tourism, Vallarta basically wouldn't exist -- along with all of those jobs.
No, it isn't perfect, but I took heart in the fact that every time I ventured to the Malecon it had plenty of gringos, but it also had loads of every day Mexicans out enjoying their city as well.
And I would say that Vallarta has existed for quite some time long before tourism was the main industry. It would exist, but different
Absolutely, but it was set on this path long ago when Night of the Iguana and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton put it on the world map.
Yeah it’s definitely complicated, I agree. But it still feels like the prevailing gentrification force is so strong, that a slow erosion of many of the aspects that drew us there initially is inevitable
All I can say is that when I moved to Seattle way back in 1989, I immediately heard from locals how much newcomers like me had ruined the city and they wished they could turn back the clock. To me, Seattle was perfect in the 90s and Amazon ruined it it in the aughts and teens.
Change is inevitable and much depends on your perspective, which I'm already seeing play out here in San Miguel de Allend.
Sounds yummy! I don’t remember finding any tacos with both pork and asada on the same taco in PV. In Arizona now, we discovered Navajo Tacos, which are chili ( with beans), cheddar, lettuce, onion, and jalapeño, served flat on Navajo Fry bread. They are excellent, but so big two people can share one.
Sounds good!