Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Beach Vendors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Our quick getaway trip to Puerto Vallarta, in Mexico was going excellently.

Every day the weather had been perfect and we were loving the seafood, a change from the heavier emphasis on meats that we find in Chapala.

One of the things we so enjoy about PV is the constant stream of polite and professional vendors.

They sell everything. Check out our photos below:     

Tapestry vendor

These tapestries can be used as a rug, a blanket or a wall hanging. If you have a beach house, a swimming pool cabana, or a tropical themed room, this lively fish weaving is perfect!

No matter where it's placed in your home, it will pop out and put you at the sea.

Hand made dolls

All vendors on the beach need to be registered and wear white attire to show that they are an approved vendor. Gone are the days of pushy hasslers who won't leave you alone. These vendors are polite, professional and aim to please.

This lady speaks on her rose-gold encased cell phone. Maybe she is checking in on her family.

Beautiful young vendor

Vendors come from all over Mexico to the tourist-packed beaches hoping to make money during the season. This young woman was the sweetest, and I was just mesmerized by her smile and gentle look.

Her name is Yulisa.

Heck, I don't even remember what she was selling, she was so enchanting!

Painted metal ornaments and wall hangings

These painted metal wall decorations are actually very light. But still, to carry them all day long in the sun, I imagine that one's shoulder and back would get weary.

Colorful and memorable, they are an ideal souvenir from your time at the beach. I imagine most selections would have to be shipped home due to their size.

Bags of all sort

We often see this style of bag in Chiapas or in Guatemala, made by the Mayans. The very small change purse sized ones this vendor is holding in her hands are made from used huipiles, the traditional Mayan embroidered blouse.

They are intricate, beautiful and unique.

Woven handbags

These tote bags are woven from grasses, water hyacinth, and sometimes palm fronds.

They are perfect for tropical locations because they retain their elegance and pliability due to the humidity of the climate.

Not knowing this previously, I purchased dozens of hand woven purses and bags in Thailand and Vietnam, brought them back to the desert of Arizona, and within weeks they turned to dust!!

Lesson learned.

Peppery and proud vendor

This woman was a real kick.

We purchased a bag of peanuts in the shell from her one morning, and as Billy is wont to do, he engaged her in some bargaining.

But she was persistent with her price of just over $1USD.

With twinkles in our eyes, we pushed her here and pushed her there, teasing this way and that... but no matter what Billy said, she came back with her firm price of $1.

We asked if she had a husband and her response was a chopping motion of one hand into the other. It's a common gesture from Latina women who want to discipline a child or a husband. In reference to a child, it usually means a spanking, but in reference to a betrayed lover or mate... it carries a sharper meaning!

Later in the morning after we had eaten from the bag of peanuts, we called her over again and told her our bag was half gone and we wanted a discount. You know, that she sold us a bag that was partially empty! My gosh, this woman was a hoot and very refreshing. She engaged with us and said:

No, no, no, the price is $1 and the bag she sold us was full! But where are the peanuts, Ma'am?

By this time we are all laughing and holding our stomachs.

She was so much fun.

A "Tuba" vendor

This man is selling Tuba. It is a refreshing fermented drink made of apples and coconut and topped with nuts.

Hollowed out gourds have been used for centuries to carry liquids. Native peoples have transported water, agua fresca, tequila, infused teas and pulque (a traditional native drink kind of like beer) in this manner.

Beach sarongs

These lightweight wraps are great for the beach for women to cover up their bathing suit. They can be tied and twisted into a dress, or a skirt in many different styles. You can also spread them out for a beach towel if you have no beach chair on which to sit.

Like silver?

Mexico is known for its silver and these jewelry pieces were polished to a high shine.

Pendants, earrings, bracelets, money clips, beer openers and necklaces were all for sale.

Hats!

If you are not used to the direct sun (or even if you are) wearing a hat or cap at the beach is a must. Preventing the heat from dehydrating you or protecting you from too much sun, a broad rimmed hat is just the thing.

The "fish-on-a-stick" guy

This man's name is Stefan. We saw him almost every day walking the beach selling mahi-mahi and shrimp in their shells on these skewers. Freshly grilled over a carbon flame with a squeeze of lime, they were fresh and delicious.

Stefan would ask us if we wanted ours hot and he would carry sticks of mahi-mahi wrapped in foil back to us in our beach chairs. Nothing can describe that fresh, moist grilled fish flavor zapped by sweet lime.

These skewers were about $2USD each - Shrimp or fish.

YUM.

If you have never been to Puerto Vallarta, it's worth a look. People are friendly, and there is a wide variety of restaurants, shops, live music and beach bars for entertainment.

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Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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