This will be a strange post, I'm sure. The type gringo one meets depends on the geographical location in Mexico. Here in Puerto Vallarta there is a real mix that includes just about every type I can think of. There are the affluent group that has numerous sub-groups that I break down as Normal, Not so Normal, Better than the Rest, and Lottery winners. There are booze-heads and older hanger-ons that are stuck in Paradise. There are hippies and flower-children that float around not knowing they are in Paradise. Then there are the real crazies that are up to their eyeballs in conspiracies. I think I run across half these groups on a daily basis. Oh, your wondring what type or group I come under? Of course, the normal, sane well adjusted gringo who really enjoys visiting different cultures in the south....right? In Barra De Navidad there is a large contingent of hippies and people living on very low government payments. I think Zihuatanejo is overloaded with Canucks living ashore in moderately priced condos and apartments. Each area is made up of a little different group with their own sub-culture. As you can tell, I have a lot of time on my hands if I can sit around and think of this stuff. I was going to say something about the workings of the Mexican physical structure, but maybe that is going a little over the top.....who am I to comment on their streets, buildings, and everyday life. It's their life and culture and I'm just a visitor here. As I was motoring in Nuevo Vallarta the other day, I called Marina Nuevo Vallarta on the radio to enquire about a slip to rent. This was 8am and I got a response. I asked if there was a tie up on the pilings(the least expensive option) and the guys responding said 'no'. I asked if there were any slips available and the guy said "no". The guy responding sounded a little grumpy and I decided to head in the breakwater anyway and check it out for myself. I pulled in and tied off on an empty dock and preceded to the marina office. I had to wait for 15 minutes for it to open and was wondering who that was answering my radio inquiry. I went into the office when it opened and rented my mooring with no problem. I asked the marina manager who that was on the radio and he told me he did'nt know. I figured it was some gringo who had a tough night and did'nt want anybody to crowd him out in the marina. There has been other radio high jinks going on in Metropolis. This is when you know that your in an area that has too many gringos and a few of them can make this normally wonderful experience a little sad. And then there are the drunks.........trust me, I know what a drunk is. People slip away from the normal confines of their hometown area and they let loose a little too much. They really seem to pour it on when there is no real scrutiny from relatives or friends. All this rambling is to cover just 1/10th of the time I spend down here.....the rest is all bliss.