It had been several weeks since I had made it to the beach. It has been very hot and humid early this year. My place is just five blocks to the beach, but the beach club I like is more like 14 to 15 blocks. I never felt up to the long walk (I never take cabs). Plus, we have had some overcast days (a blessing) and some rain (though not enough), So when friends of mine said they were driving to the beach, I asked to ride along.
We arrived early and the beach looked strange. First there was almost no one on the beach although were a lot of boys surfing in the water. Several of the restaurants and bars looked like they were not open. You could see that during the night the water had reached all the way to the building. The usual beach chairs and umbrellas were missing. Upon arriving at our favorite, the waiter immediately came out and asked where we would like him to set up our tables and chairs. We picked a spot about mid way to the water. Then he brought umbrellas and carefully placed them so some of us got sun and some were in the shade.
It happened to be the voting day. Forever Mexico has had a law that states that no alcohol may be sold or served from midnight Friday until midnight Sunday (the voting booths close at 7;00 Sunday night, so go figure). But we were informed that at 4:30 on Saturday the law had been amended so that if food was served they could serve alcoholic beverages. It seems that some of the expensive "all inclusive hotels" had complained. Mexican Nationals tend to avoid these hotels so probably no one staying there could vote anyway. Someone said that the law actually stated that you had to have food in front of you in order to be served a drink (would a bowl of pretzels qualify?) No matter, most laws in Mexico are ignored anyway.
A hurricane was supposed to have hit us several days earlier, but it went out to sea and passed us by. We did not even get a sprinkle of rain out of it. I have been told that the high waves occur a few days after a hurricane has passed. This was no scientist who told me, but after living in a hurricane prone area for a few years, I have noticed that the high waves do come later. The fifteen foot waves were a big attraction to the surfers that day.
Talk on the beach was also about the damage done to the Malecon the night before. Now the Malecon is the most famous and popular street in Vallarta. Several years ago, it was completely torn up and rebuilt with more pedestrian space and lots of planters with lush tropical plants. For reasons known only to the Mexicans it was built several feet lower to the water. It really is quite beautiful with dozens of bronze statues. The remodeling included replacement of the statues and they were all illuminated. Shortly after it was installed someone sat on one of the statues during a light rain and was electrocuted. They are no longer lit. Then just a few months ago new lighting was installed above and in the sidewalk in front of many of the palm trees. So far no one has been electrocuted. We do not know yet what the storm did to these lights. The photo included of the Malecon was sent to me and shows pieces of the wall broken up on the sidewalk.
Well we were happily seated and drinks were served. I always order ice tea even though it is twice the price of a bottle of beer (no idea why). I had just lit my first cigarette and settled into my chair when the owner came over and told us that we might have to move as a large wave was approaching. Planning on just lifting up my feet, I leaned over to grab onto my sandals when suddenly I was underwater. Everything including me was flowing out to sea. Beach boys came from everywhere grabbing tables chairs and umbrellas. Maybe some one shouted "Save the Gringos !!" They managed to grab my towel, glasses and beach bag, but my shirt was a lost cause. The wave had traveled 20 or 30 feet and came right up to the restaurant. There is a little wood deck in front and so they brought out regular chairs and tables for us. They also replaced my ice tea at no charge. I have no idea if they were able to reclaim my glass tumbler. My cigarettes and lighter were also lost. After that huge wave, the water receded back to where it was, but we all decided that none of us wanted to go back onto the sand so we stayed on the little deck. Also our towels were soaking wet and covered in sand.
My friend lost both his shirt and shorts. (For reasons known only to him he always strips down to a speedo). Since he had no clothes he decided that we could not go anywhere else for lunch, so we might as well have it there. I walked up and down the beach to look at other damage, The restaurant next door had a sunken bar with no drain and they were busy bailing water out. Dozens of palapas tops were scattered about the beach and I noticed one of them floating in the water. There are a couple of pools where water and sand had washed over them. It was an interesting day at the beach, but not what I expected or wanted. Maybe next week. By the way, all the photos were borrowed. If I had taken my camera, it too would have been lost. One has to wonder what would it be like if a hurricane actually hit us, since this one did not even come close. The last direct hit was in 2001. One thing I am sure of, I would avoid the beach for a few days.
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