Puerto Vallarta Day 2

8:00-8:30a.m. Lessons from the Ocean
I started my day at the beach, just as the western sky was being tinged with pink by the rising sun. Standing a distance away from the water, I watched and listened silently as the waves rolled into shore again and again. As I stood silently soaking in the presence of the Pacific Ocean, two ocean-related stories came to mind. The first was one of the earliest stories I remember my mother telling me. It isn’t a story, really, more like a sharing. She had told me, that her father, my grandfather, had told her that there were many kinds of people in this world (magnanimity-wise). At one extreme, there are those whose hearts cannot bear even one tiny grain of sand dropping in, and they would do anything to squeeze it back out. At the other extreme, there are those whose hearts are like the ocean, able to absorb anything and still be the same, unharmed (like the sunflower!). The second story was Morrie’s story of the little wave who was afraid of crashing into shore, and who was told by another wave that he was not just a wave, but that he was part of the ocean.

9:00a.m.- 12:15p.m.: In-Between
I chaired the session I was supposed to chair. The session was great. The presenter didn’t read her paper (which is the way all PES sessions go…so b.o.r.i.n.g.) which was fantastic. The three of us (presenter, responder and chair) had gotten on to a lively start before the audience came in, and that set the tone for the session…it was informal and lively. Questions didn’t stop coming in and I was kept busy ‘directing traffic’. It’s kind of cool being chair. Big names in the field had to raise their hands to wave at me to indicate they had a question. And I’d smile and give a brief nod to indicate I noticed him/her. Silly way to get a kick? Ah well, at least this time I’m enjoying myself. My first PES conference, I was star-struck and intimidated. *grin*

After another session, I took my lap-top to the business centre to go online! Finally got in touch with Zibin, and managed to upload my blog entry. Pictures will have to wait till I get back to Toronto though. No time!

12:30-5:00p.m.: Exploring Puerto Vallarta
I played hooky this afternoon after deciding that none of the sessions were interesting enough for me to miss out seeing the city of Puerto Vallarta (the sessions I am more interested in are on Sat and Sun). So, I took off with Mary to explore the city. We walked and walked and walked…along the shore-line on a walkway called the Malecon that had interesting statues scattered along the walk (photos in album). Lots of walking, seeing, talking and browsing the flea market later, I was back at the hotel. I had underestimated the scorching sun and soon I had a rather red left arm.

5:00 – 12 midnight: Tired and Sunburnt
As if I hadn’t gotten enough sun. Right after I arrived back in the hotel, I rejoined the conference which was having its New Members Reception at the pool-side. More sun! Some mingling, nibbling and drinking later, I hit the swimming pool with Helen Anderson (also from OISE/UT). As I was changing into my swimsuit, I realized the extent of my sunburn. On my chest and on my back, I had two deep red Vs, and my left arm was also a fetching bright red. Oh, and I have a bit of a Rudolph situation too. :P (I bought some aloe vera burn relief gel with Lidocaine from the tobacco shop at the hotel.) Then, just as the sun was setting, I began my dinner with Helen and Mary at the hotel, pool-side. The setting sun had a ‘standing ovation’ – people (including us) stood up to get a better view of the huge salmon-pink sun as it dipped into the Pacific. Even more lovely was how the magnificent sunset was accompanied by live saxophone music :).

I’m now back in my hotel room and I’m stuffed! Took an almost hour long ‘nap’ after dinner and am currently dozing off already, so once again, it is goodnight and till we meet again *yawn*.