Written by Griffin Estes, Rivera Cuale Intern
Upon arrival at Rivera Cuale for a summer internship, what first marked me was the beauty of the development and the tranquil aura of the property I was on. Not knowing what to expect, I was glad to learn it wasn’t situated in one of the tourist saturated beachfront communities.
I arrived on a Sunday afternoon and quickly got my bearings. The condo I resided in was on the 6th floor; it offers a spectacular view and nice cool breezes. I had a few errands to run before totally settling in. Finding fresh fruit at the local market “Emiliano Zapata” was a fairly easy task to accomplish. Subsequently, I found that everything I needed to buy was just a stone’s throw away.
Having never been to Puerto Vallarta before, I was excited to learn a little about the Mexican culture first hand. My Google searches on Puerto Vallarta were filled with comments on how I was going “to the friendliest place on earth”- I was searching for proof.
At eighteen years of age, I came to Mexico not only to gain valuable work experience, but also to work on my Spanish and of course to have fun. Having arrived in Vallarta’s low season, I knew not to expect to find swaths of
North American youths, nor was I hoping to. 
The location of Rivera Cuale offered me a perfect opportunity to engage in a community that is alive year-round. Only a block away I was able to find a basketball/soccer courtwhere young people gather nightly to play soccer. At first I was a little nervous to join, but I was able to integrate with the group and that put me at ease. Everyday we would play, laugh and share water from a giant gourd. From then on, their nightly ritual became my own.
As night falls, more and more people come into the streets. Little kids play in a playground as their parents mingle on adjacent benches. Streetlights offer a different perspective of the sun burnt houses. A crowd slowly emerges from the local church after evening mass.
Rivera Cuale is situated in a residential neighborhood called “El Caloso”. As a result the neighborhood seems more alive in the after-work hours. For me it marked the time where a taco-stand opens that serves the most delicious authentic food just a block away. It’s funny how that taco-stand also made it into my nightly routine.
What I liked most about the places and the people I met during my stay at Rivera Cuale was that I began to feel as if I were a part of the community. As shop owners began to know my tastes I no longer had to choose what piece of meat, or seafood, or even what dish to order – the choice was made for me and always was a good one. As my Spanish improved, conversations gained more substance and I learned even more about the culture. Whether it was the kids with whom I played soccer or the old man who rests on his cane from time to time down the block, going outside always implied seeing truly friendly faces.
