It has further been said that "If you don't save $100. in a two week stay, you didn't read this book." What can I say after the above? Not bad testimonials, if I do say so myself. Actually, this little guide got nominated for a "pluma de plata", a prestigious award bestowed on writings about MEXICO by the Mexican Government Tourism Office. Unfortunately one has to have a circulation of in excess of 20,000 to be considered or maybe it's the atrocious grammar and spelling, but alas a nomination is as far as it got.

Don’t get too carried away, however, by rates. Firstly with the Banks, the rate is published at 11:00 A.M. only, so you can't change Canadian funds before, either cash or travelers cheques. If you've waited through a half hour line-up (about the standard length of time), you may be displeased. Consider the line-up time, the value of your time before going to the Bank, or even a money changer. They all insist on picture I.D. whereas we simply want your suite number on the back of the cheque. We also have sufficient cash on hand and if we don't a quick motorcycle run to the changer will see you with all the cash you will need.

The change wickets are the next quickest and when you calculate the small differences (if any) juxtaposed to the amount that you're changing, the exercise becomes fruitless to pursue the extra few centavos (100ths of a pesos).

For Canadian visitors when the $CDN is strong it is sometimes advantageous to change your money to U.S. Travellers cheques first as you will receive more pesos in the long run even incurring the exchange commission for two exchanges.

Travelers cheques also receive a premium over cash (change is not accepted at all) as the cost of them providing security for the cash to repatriate it to a North American clearing house (Dallas, New York, Los Angeles) is more expensive therefore they give you less. It makes sense when you think about it even though you think it's a mistake at first! The Banks seems to exploit this more than the money changers who seem to "blurr it" at least they did in winters of 1996 and 1997.

Also lists of persons interested in 'ganging' for free transportation to the many tours is posted at the ANITA POOL DECK board. If you are interested in going horseback riding Thursday let's say; simply put your suite number and number of persons interested in going on the board in the appropriate squares.

This location is an excellent place to vent your annoyance to any fellow guest who, maybe while influenced by too much tequila the night before, neglected to exercise some restraint when coming home, perhaps waking you in the process. Give 'em hell on the blackboard. You can leave it anonymous if you like.... or?

Towels, which are the innkeepers' nemesis, will be charged if soiled beyond restoration or if lost. An embroidered towel in MEXICO (Cambridge quality) is worth easily $120. pesos. There... that should scare you. Also, please return glasses, openers etc. to the unit they came from, especially after communal parties, or run the risk of a long check out harangue. If you need some of them for your B.B.Q. best to use the plates etc. provided and return religiously the items you "borrow" from your suite.

Understand that our tariff is based on normal wear and tear and excessive abuse HAS to be charged. Remember, the most expensive rate per person per day is less than $45, which is predicated on a "transparent" passage of guests through the suite.

Note any messages or variance on the blackboard or on the office door itself. Sunday is "staff appreciation day" and services are nil or very limited depending on arrivals and departures only. Leave a message if you need something before the next indicated opening. Even managers need sleep and time off, so please be reasonable and relay requests at opportune times anticipating needs such as more beer, water etc. In the case of emergencies the manager resides in Corona #8.

MEX-DEV. has arrangements with NATIONAL CAR RENTAL for a blanket 10% discount and periodically transient deals with other firms. Many accept credit cards, in fact they insist on a credit card imprint upon renting but will be amenable to a discount if cash is employed at settlement. To insure getting the discount, ask us to handle the reservation and instead of having to chase off by taxi to their location, we can have them attend you in your suite.

Jeeps can be as much as $95.00 U.S. a day (with insurance) but small Datsuns go at lower rates which vary and the cars are all so-so. Insurance is pricey but well recommended. (if you have an accident and there is blood apparent; automatically both parties are arrested pending the inquiries and bond postings which an insurance company will do). This is the law! Another "law" is if you are involved in an accident with a taxi, you lose regardless of what happened.

We also have some "non commercial" cars for "loan" for a donation. Ask the desk. These are much cheaper but discretion is the byword.

The moving of the bus depot far out of town, indeed a kilometer further than the airport entrance, has alleviated the problem of having to 'deal' with many transients who arrive in town and knowing nobody, is forced to beg for a few pesos to get a meal and subsequent bus fare possibly. Just as back home, you have to ask how needy is this person or is this a lifestyle. Your heart and your flinch factor will have to be your guide.

There are over ninety million people in Mexico and of course the majority are living in what we would call severe poverty. It is obvious you can't help everyone and take some solace that the very fact that you chose Mexico as your vacation is a help to the population as a whole. If you do however feel a need to lend a helping hand, and it's hard not feel that way in the face of so many people who have genuine need of a helping hand, then consider the most deserving of all, that of the orphan children. Fortunately the family bond is so strong in Mexico that abandonment is almost unheard of. Accident and other factors however do leave the least able to fend in need.

I'm happy to say that a fellow Hotelier who founded the Tropicana Hotel in 1948 and expanded his empire to dominate a goodly portion of the famous Los Muertos Beach area of Puerto Vallarta, founded the CASA HOGAR Maximo Cornejo Quiroz, A.C. Ailing himself, and finally succumbing to his medical problems, his memory will live on in his generous gift in August of 1993. Some of the children have come by way of local safety authorities. Others are channeled through the D.I.F social services arm of Government. Some come from the parents themselves looking after the welfare of their children and requesting assistance of CASA HOGAR until they can resolve the critical home situations that keep them from properly caring for their children.

CASA HOGAR is a non-profit organization. The Board of Directors A.C. (association civil) promotes different activities to assure that the basic needs of CASA HOGAR are met. Monetary funding comes primarily from private foundations of both Mexican and foreign people who have seen the need and who have taken an interest in supplying that need. Many of the hotels and tourist restaurants donate food and other basic necessities. The goal of the association is to promote the integral development of the child and make him/her a productive member of society despite their situation.

The following aspects are addressed: nutrition, health, psychological needs, religious teachings, basic education, and physical education. They publish a pamphlet listing ways people can help. Here are some: Monetary donations-cash or cheque payable to CASA HOGAR Maximo Conejo Quiroz, A.C. They are located ironically just beside the new bus station. Other ways are a visit to talk and spend some time with these children or teach them a few words of English, play or invite them on excursions. Items that are constantly sought after are: Children’s’ clothing, personal hygiene items, furniture, foodstuffs, medicine, toys. Please, no expired items or those needing batteries or requiring assembly or repair.

Comfortable shoes are a must as the cobblestones are pretty but murder on high heels. A light sweater for the outdoor restaurants especially Le Bistro or Mister Pepe's in December to March. All restaurants in the valley are excellent places to experience the famous 'adiabatic' effect. If you were disappointed in the Bay of Fundy's Reversing Falls or the Moncton 'BORE', try this.

Take shorts and two bathing suits and plenty of suntan oil, although this is available in Vallarta, it is more expensive to buy down here. For footgear get something with open toes. The famous huarachis made with leather and soled with truck tires are great once you break them in. I frankly have adopted the rubber thongs and although workmen’s comp would have a fit, it's de riguer amongst the workers on construction, believe it or not.

Read carefully the "part two orders" posted in the suites and titled "Rules of how to make your stay more enjoyable". If you are in doubt about anything ask Annette, Bill or Sonia. Being an apartment hotel, we supply some things, while others are either not available or are charged for. If in doubt, ask. For instance we supply toilet paper at ANITA CORONA del MAR but not at VILLA SONIA. Likewise coffee filters. Your suite might have a holder for paper towels but we don't supply those, for example.

The hospitality package is just that - to get you launched - so please don't ask for supplements. The idea is that once you have been briefed you can go and buy the things you may need for the remainder of your trip. Granted things like sugar, pepper, salt etc. do get left behind by guests and if you're the unlucky one to find the empty shaker well..... Dish soap is not supplied but the maids have their own, hoping you will leave your dishes so that they are assured a tip.

If you have a serious complaint please voice it at the time. If you wait and go to your travel agent with it he/she will have to forward it to the Victoria office, who will forward it to us down in Mexico where the decision will be made anyway as to how the situation will be handled, so please speak up if something is bothering you WHEN you are bothered. The hope is that we can fix it right away and you will be happy.

Apart from our two nemeses, namely the abundance of steps and of course the ambient noise of the neighbourhood, we are sensitive to making your stay as pleasant as possible, so speak up if something is bothering you and we'll do our best to rectify it.

In spite of high double digit inflation (but declining rapidly) the last two major devaluation's produced an imbalance (in our favour) which should serve as a clarion call to tourists in search of a "value vacation". The Government, which is trying desperately to hold the line, is gambling and quite frankly needs another 1983 type tourist year, although the "controlled devaluation (a few pesos a day) is eroding the value, as inflation is outstripping this devaluation, so Hurry!

Actually since November 1996 the pesos was allowed to float on the money markets and after Chicago closed out a large short sell in early 1996 it tended to stabilize at roughly 5+ for CDN$ and 7+ for the US$ and stayed relatively steady through all of 1997 until the Asian flu upset world markets and the Canadian dollar lost a dime to the U.S. The pesos faired even worse in the late summer of 1998 where the US dollar claimed over ten pesos, and the Canadian garnered a high of 6.3. It has since dropped back a bit to just under 10 for the US and just under 6 for the Canadian dollar. This means that MEXICO should enjoy a bumper year of tourism at the expense of Florida and Hawaii.

What to take with you? Anyone traveling anywhere should carry at least 20 one dollar U.S. bills with him/her and maybe three twenty U.S bills as well. Sixty to one hundred American dollars in small bills is ideal. That's all the cash I carry on me usually, the rest is in U.S. or Can. Traveler cheques. Currently U.S. travelers cheques yield more pesos even after a double change so the argument of what to take is academic presently but that might change with a dramatic decline in the CDN$ (Remember where you heard it first). In that instance, I would take Canadian when I'm just going to Vallarta and take U.S. if going to other destinations in Mexico where the Canadian dollar is not so well accepted as it is in a resort city like Vallarta. Actually, at press time, it is still cheaper to change your Canadian currency to American before you leave and thence to pesos WHEN you arrive and as you need them. In spite of the two changes, it comes out a little better but don't get to psyched out about this as the differences are minute although it may LOOK grand in pesos.

The smallest common bill is a $20. peso note, followed by a fifty, one hundred, two hundred and a five hundred note. Coins like the new "tooney" introduced in Canada made of composite bronze and silver/nickel alloy come in one peso, two pesos five, ten and twenty. A fifty pesos coin (currently worth $10CDN.) exists but is not circulated much, as it is like silver dollars, they tend to hoard them. This was bound to change as it used to take forever to count five hundred dollars into Mexican currency. (Another good reason to change with the desk).

Certain goods may not be imported into Canada. These include endangered species of animals, firearms, and many kinds of food products (such as some fruit). The Canadian dollar is strong relative to the Mexican Peso. If you shop abroad, you can still bring home a bargain. Sometimes it pays to import items even if you have to pay duty, especially if the item is much more expensive in Canada than abroad or unavailable here.

Items CAN be shipped separately but they must be declared upon your return as part of your exemption with the balance calculated upon receipt at customs. Prior to now, goods from continental North America had to accompany the traveling passenger to be eligible for the exemptions. If however they are not prohibited items they can be shipped and entered subject to duty. A call to your local customs officer PRIOR to travelling will clarify this and give you the tariff for calculating duty to guide you in establishing whether or not it’s a good deal. Remember you are subject to laws of the state and country you land in even if you are in transit.

With regards to bringing back "extra" liquor it is strongly suggested that you don't try to "slip one or two by" as the penalties for this activity have just been scaled upwards. First you lose the booze, you pay the amount you should have paid in duty, excise tax, G.S.T. etc times 60%. Actually I've always suggested that you forget trying to beat the system and be content with the ONE freebee.

However a long conversation with a customs official seemed to support the following: Apparently you can import nine bottles (your one free exemption deducted from the $300. Canadian value exemption plus eight others) on which you would pay duty etc. as follows. The calculation for duty is convoluted and involves a three tiered application of factors. One is excise tax (higher on wines so watch out) a factor of 11.258% on alcohol by volume (so hard liquor is more expensive than liqueurs for instance) plus a category for duty. You add this to the cost of the bottle (converted from pesos to dollars - you must keep your bill) and apply 7% G.S.T. and to this you add the Provincial liquor board tax of $5.28 currently. So how does this stack up? Well I arbitrarily reckoned that you could probably procure a bottle of Kaluha 1 litre for $10.CDN and applying the above it came out to $3.16 duty, 0.93 G.S.T. plus the $5.28 for a total of $9.37 which you would pay to Customs upon entry. This means the bottle stands you less than $20. and at last look in a B.C. liquor store they wanted $33.+ for a 1 litre bottle. GOOD LUCK whatever you do, but don't smuggle!

In the past when you left Mexico their equivalent tax had to be paid again and it is currently $18.00 U.S. nowadays because of the delays at check in and the necessity to have change etc the scheduled airlines are following the lead of the Charter operators and the return departure tax is now incorporated into the ticket also. But you're still not off the hook. The charter companies which don't land in the U.S. or who remain in the quarantine areas finish up at $74.CDN. If your airline stops in the U.S. you pay a user fee of $5. U.S for each way as well as agriculture processing, customs and immigration handling etc. This also will appear on your ticket as it is prepaid. In Canadian funds this translates, using ALASKA AIRLINES our preferred year round carrier from the Pacific Northwest, to paying the carrier about $112. CDN total taxes.

Hold on it can get worse. If your itinerary includes a side trip to Guadalajara or Mexico City expect to dip into your pocket for another $5. U.S. or equivalent for the domestic departure tax. This is not applicable if you are in transit and resume travel within a 24 hour period. If you stop over more than 24 hours the chain is considered broken and you pay again.

HEY ...don't shoot the messenger. I'm only telling you how it is. I am as upset at these new fees as anyone. Firstly, it adds to the overall package prices which can deter some buyers, if in fact it exceeds the commission rate your travel agent receives. And to top it all off, WE in the business have to track and file reports for all these fees and we don't get any commission for this activity, but we sure hear about it from the customers. Some relief is on the way and at last word, as of November 1998, the charter taxes will be $28-$29. CDN and the scheduled carriers like America West, Alaska etc. will be about $70. and it will include the Mexican departure tax as well.

You must have proof of citizenship if you are Canadian and carry a letter from your spouse (ex or not) if accompanied with children under eighteen years of age. Birth certificate or passport is ideal. Driver’s licenses are NOT good enough. Recently we received a memo that landed immigrant status or resident status and proof thereof were acceptable, for non Canadians but this is in addition to a valid, current passport. Some countries’ citizens are prohibited entry to MEXICO, so call the Consulate in Vancouver at 604-684-3547 for up-to-date information. NOTE they close for lunch. (Siesta). Oh, and don't forget the special fee (the highest in the world) for the Vancouver Airport Authority. That's extra too.

Careful of the old CITY DUMP which changed to X.O.'s then DIVA now the PACO PACO and it's GAY!!!. ROXY's has live Reggae, Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll! The HARD ROCK CAFE is open and located on the MALECON. LA JUNGLA is located in the CAMINO REAL HOTEL to the south. LA ONDA is behind the LOS PELICANOS Hotel, but I think it's temporarily closed also. ZANZIBAR (which I haven't visited) is in the Fiesta Americana.

A neat fancy bar and meeting place is FRIDAY LOPEZ's near the Fiesta AMERICANA Hotel. The hot spot besides CARLOS O'BRIENS on the Malecon is THE ZOO where the stuffed animals are NOT in the cages but the patrons are...opens late and goes till dawn... Restaurants/discos or let's face it, "meeting places" where you shout at each other to talk are part of the lure of Puerto Vallarta and the two best are Carlos O'Brians situated on the Malecon in the centre of town and Andale's just down from Casa Anita and a Hot Spot, typical of why people rave about PVEE and come back time and time again. Hormone accelerators I call 'em. Many have cover charges but MEX-DEV management frequently has "no cover" passes for the "in places" which we bonus to purchasers of tours. These are limited and hard to get.

The Los MUERTOS area on OLAS ALTAS street has adopted boulevards and "street seating" which have made this the "centro nocturna" now, much to the chagrin of the cheap HOTELS that dot the surroundings. A neat spot along this strip is SI SI SENORS which offers live music and jazz. A better one is the ROXY. It’s on Av. Vallarta just south of the southbound bridge near the Mariachi Loco - also a fun place and definitely Mexican in flavour.

A great place for Ribs and entertainment on occasion (fairly regularly in high season) is El TORITO. Across the street from that is under construction at press time the last piece in the hat trick which is Sr. FROGS, the best (only ?... just kidding) reason for a vacation in Mazatlan. And of course completing the array, and one of the reasons we can boast of being a world class resort now, is that we also have a Planet Hollywood.

Female is Dr.Irma Gittleson (English speaking) her clinic number is 222-1252 and residence is 222-1329. She actually lives almost across the street. Either of them can be contacted through the ASSOCIATION of VALLARTA DOCTORS at 222-8889 or 222-1645. If you need a doctor let us know and we'll make things happen.

Emergency numbers appear herein and several business cards are located on the corkboard near the black board adjacent to the office. Many drugs which require a prescription here are sold across the counter for little money. If you are on daily medication you might check this out. The general advice of most physicians I have spoken with, shun the practice of ingesting drugs in anticipation of would be ills.

Montezuma has got over his revenge and is now in partnership with CORONA selling beer. The stories of "yester-year" live on unfortunately but the new truth is that only a few, and the deserving, get sick nowadays in modern Mexico. For the ones who still fear getting sick, eat yogurt daily and papaya. If you feel somewhat queasy at some point, take a spoonful of Pepto Bismol every four hours til it passes. If it gets worse, see a doctor.

The myths about MEXICO like "don't drink the water" are frankly silly. The water has been certified potable for the last four years. Even the cruise ships take on water in Puerto Vallarta in deference to Los Angeles. How about that?

This applies especially to scotch drinkers, as imported liquor is very dear indeed. However for scotch drinkers try a make of rum, yes, I said rum, it's called "RON CASTILLO" and it is amber and distilled in a different manner which frankly is appealing to both rye and scotch drinkers, even bourbon drinkers don't find it offensive. It’s a great alternative and it's what I bring North now, as I've grown fond of it. Unfortunately I heard in March 87 that the company had gone bankrupt (God knows how a booze company can do that) and that supplies are diminishing rapidly. Many of my friends are wearing black arm bands as a result! The truth of this is that they had a warehouse fire which put pressure on stocks and because it is aged it took up to 1991 to recover. Thankfully things are back to normal. Most good well-stocked bars will have it, as will most liquor stores with a decent selection.

With the new spade plugs we've encountered difficulties in being able to insert these into the older style (in fact the current ones sold don't work easily if at all) so we have changed most of them (the ones in strategic places - bathroom etc) with good ole Canadian ones. These are even CSA approved, even if the rest isn't. Careful with the remarks on this however as 'yours truly' did most of the wiring (at least the part that is 'close' to CDN specs).

Fortunately power outages and even surges are passe, and we no longer leave candles in the rooms as people use them for romantic effect rather than their designed purpose of being for emergencies. The infrequent power outages usually occur in summer and are associated with severe weather. We still have candles for emergencies so ask if you're lucky enough to experience a power failure in Modern MEXICO.

Many restaurants in the major HOTELS are on our recommended list. Certainly some of the swim up bars and large pools are an attraction to contrast to your "Mexican immersion". At least one afternoon spent this way is a way of deciding which style you enjoy the most for next time. Let's face it, these HOTELS aren't ugly, in fact they are rather nice. The thing is they are what you already know. They're the same as back home and on vacation it's neat to experience new things and revel in the changes, which allow you to resume the humdrum of daily life once again, once refreshed. That's as close to the definition of what a vacation is as this writer can get.

Canadian Consulate 222-3517
U.S. acting consular agent 222-0069
Police 222-2551 222-0123
Fire Dept. 222-0030
Electricity Dept. 222-2520 222-0369
Traffic Police (Transito) 222-0520
City Hall 222-1535
Potable Water Dept. 222-0467
Hacienda (state finance) 222-1035
Federal (finance Dept.) 222-0256
Immigration office 222-1478
Post Office 222-1888
Telephone Company 222-0400
Red Cross 222-1533
Hospital (sanitorio Vallarta) 222-1859
Veterinarians 222-0850
DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST INFORMATION
905-250-0123 * FROM MEXICO CALL COLLECT

At MEX-DEV we're your friends and we treat you accordingly. Be sure to have a notarized letter from the un-accompanying spouse or proof of a legal separation with custody, as MEXICO is a very family conscious country which abhors being used as a haven for custody battles. Indeed they combat this by being very inquisitive and rigid on these matters. Consult with the Consulate in Vancouver or Seattle at the following phone numbers. YVR-604-684-3547, SEA-206-433-5692.

For a copy of a 'tested' wording call our offices and request a sample notarial letter for underage children entering Mexico.

This tax is usually included in the marked price of your purchases. All Mex-Dev air/land packages have it built in but the land only rates do not. In addition there is a further 2% for a total of 17% applicable to Hotel room taxes in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Consider this when you compare room rates while you are there.

If you aren't convinced that you got the best deal all round, speak to me as you've overlooked something which will change that complexion, I'm sure. Comparing something with 15% included with something that is going to have it added later is not fair and adulterates the comparison by 30% so ASK!

Many street vendors will offer this lesser metal with the genuine stamp on it while others are legit. If you aren't familiar you had better shop the stores. There is a large jewelry store on the Malecon specializing in GOLD called Pacific Jewelry.

For repairs to jewelry I suggest Cisernos a small store east on Aquiles SERDAN about five or six blocks east of RIZO's. This man has been in business as long as I have been coming to Vallarta so don't worry about him swapping diamonds for cubic zirconiums when you have a valuable ring cleaned or repaired. Actually, he died this spring but his brother, who has worked with him almost as long, is now in charge and I've known him at least twenty five years, so don't worry.

Vendors abound on the beach with elaborate cases jammed with desirous baubles that may or may not be genuine silver or whatever. If it is cheap enough (and yes, you can haggle with them) and you like it, buy it. Who cares if it’s genuine or not? Ask questions and don't get too hung up on haggling. If you like it, buy it; it may be gone to Toledo in someone else’s purse if you hesitate.

Also the number on the key is just that, a number and doesn't relate to MEX-DEV or any of the house names. If it's lost, better it stays lost than be found by the wrong element and used clandestinely. Also on the other side of the key is the code for the entry door to Casa ANITA. This code can be changed and is from time to time. You will be advised of a change if it occurs while you are residing in Casa ANITA.

Also the number on the key is just that, a number and doesn't relate to MEX-DEV or any of the house names. If it's lost, better it stays lost than be found by the wrong element and used clandestinely. Also on the other side of the key is the code for the entry door to Casa ANITA. This code can be changed and is from time to time. You will be advised of a change if it occurs while you are residing in Casa ANITA.

We levy a charge for our Manager to be present to greet you if your arrival falls outside of 07:30 and 22:00 hrs. Because a late arrival on a charter is usually accompanied by a late departure, we offer two options, 1) pay the extra night in the suite, and 2) vacate the unit by 12:00, the check out time. You can surrender your key but avail yourself of the combination lock common bath/change/storage room near the pool at Corona del Mar.

The third choice is to pay for a late departure, which is $20. US and will take you up to 17:00hrs, only if the suite has not been rented and therefore occupied already, based on your scheduled departure of 12:00 hrs. Plan ahead but beware of the alternatives when you book. Regrettably there is no provision for this at the SONIA side so either reserve the extra night or indulge a fellow tenant who is staying on to store your stuff.

Please understand that we are a union business and the overtime rates are triple plus equivalent time off, which means (and the late charters are inevitably on week-ends) we would lose the ability to rent your suite till Monday or even Tuesday if we allowed a late check out on Saturday. (Maids are off from 15:00hrs Saturday until 09:00 Monday.) If your suite is not prepared for the next arrival in the three hours remaining on Saturday, we cannot, without heavy overtime charges, get that unit ready until Monday the earliest. If the workload doesn't permit, maybe not until the afternoon of Monday so therefore only in time for a Tuesday arrival. (Most flights from the North arrive in the afternoons fortunately). Frankly, the maids don't want to come in on Sunday - many travel 30 minutes by bus daily to come to work.

Please avoid embarrassment by not requesting indulgence in this area, we have to be firm in this area for the reasons stated above.

We have however provided a guest laundry situated near Corona #2 which has a coin operated washing machine and gas dryer. We sell soap and give the appropriate coinage to operate the machines at the office. First come, first served. Indeed you have two options, you can wash your own clothes in our laundromat or take them down on Olas Altas Street at one of several laundromats and leave them and the attendant will do them for you.

Careful of delicate or expensive things though, soaps etc. are very powerful in Mexico. Closer to the VILLAS SONIA is another LAVANDERIA on Brazil to the right when you come down the famous hill, and yet another on Morelos near ALLENDE Street.

These serve a threefold function. One, they allow a guest to see his/her way to their dwelling, and, two, they provide a security deterrent for intruders or would-be thieves. Finally the third element is that they conserve on energy as they only light when someone is present. Common sense, turn the lights off at night when you might think you are the last to go to bed and especially those in your own suite.

The ANITA/CORONA pool area lights are regulated to go off at 2300 exactly, which should be your cue to be cautious of your fellow guests trying to sleep. The copious use of louvered doors and open tile work to allow cross ventilation through the suites has the downside feature of allowing noise, even simple conversation and laughter, to disturb others trying to sleep. This is our most common complaint, that of being disturbed by other guests partying. Please.... please.... please be considerate.

Fans are much healthier than air conditioning (which none of the suites have) and are utilized during the months of May through October. May stands for a medium setting and it is only in the hottest months of August and September that you may need the full blast. October stands for "off" as most probably during the course of this month they will become unnecessary. Remember, in November the blankets go back on the beds usually about the third week. In the meantime remember this, that a fan only moves air, and therefore serves no purpose at all when you are out of the room. NO VIRGINIA, it will NOT be cooler when you return if you leave the fan on while you are out.