Of major interest to me was the Flyers of Papontla Veracruz. There are other attractions to entertain us like information about the Huichol Indians art designs in the cement on the walkway and the sand sculptures. They are all interesting but some of my favorites are Nostalgia, Inn Search of Reason, Dance of the Dolphins ( a gift of Santa Barbara, California a sister city by artist Bub Bottoms) and Vallarta Dancers. Some artists have donated their work and others found sponsors to privately contribute to the cost. The sculpture is a curved bronze column starting with creatures from the sea, symbols of Jesus, the evaluation of time and the search for peace. Many were repaired and many new ones have been added. I had been in PV in 2002 a few days after hurricane Kenna damaged or destroyed much of the waterfront. The Millennium sculpture is a memorial to the beginning of the millennium.
It sets the mood for the other 16 or so sculptures before ending at Gary's Aldame Street gallery, Galeria Pacifico. We were able to sit on chairs provided by the hotel, to listen to many details and Q and A. The two hour walk starts with a 15 to 20 minute mini lecture by the artist of the Millennium, Fernando Banos although he signs his work Mathis Lidice. While there were places to sit as Gary explained each sculpture I was hardly ever able to get there in time as I was a slow walker and the group of about 35 already filled the available seating.
Art and history lovers will be entertained and educated. Gary Thompson, a thoughtful and caring person leads a group of whoever shows up at 9:30 every Tuesday morning from Nov to April, at the Millennium sculpture next to the Hotel Rosita. But I was able to make it almost to the very end. The real challenge for me was neuropathy in my feet, a condition where my feet are numb so it is harder to walk. So finally on a trip Dec 2016 I was able to hear the real stories behind the artists work, the challenges, both financial and political, the love stories, facts about the designs and more. It took several years and a few trips to Puerto Vallarta to fall in love with the sculptures on the Malecon It is a must see and visually captivating. What a shame that Tripadvisor doesn't have a separate listing for the Malecon Sculpture Walking Tour. Looking forward to the second half on another day! Tour is free, with requested donation to the library representative who gives a brief presentation at rhe Gallerie. Handouts were provided and the tour ended at Gallerie Pacifico with beer, wine, diet coke, and water. They cone from the Wixarika tribe (also known as Huichol). Kevin (peyotepeople) gave additional information about the Huichol Symbols made from pebbles on the Malecon. After a hurrice, the entirw Malecon was recreated, including repairs and movement of many sculptures. Most of the sculptures are are privately funded and have taken 1- 3 years from conception to installation. On the tour today we also had a Fernando Banos (Mathis Lidice), designer of the Millennium tell us more about his inspiration. Wednesday evening's 6pm he covers the second half of the Malecon. This tour covers 7 sculptures from the North End (Millennium) to Rotunda of the Sea. Today we were also joined by other volunteers from Vallarta 101 and Peyote People who helped Gary. Gary Thompson does an excellent tour of the firsr half of the Malecon sculptures 930am Tuesdays.