Times in Vallarta are a Changin'!

So, they've opened up Vallarta's first Starbuck's in the airport which happens to be about a 20 minute walk from where I live in The Marina. As I stepped out this morning into that great November air, I decided to hoof it towards the airport and check out the scene. Well, the new addition to the airport for departures is large and impressive and people who haven't been here for awhile will certainly notice a change! Then, as I glided up the new escalator and passed the new Carl's Jr. (there are now 3 in Vallarta!) I began to see people walking past clutching coffee cups with the familiar insignia. Sure enough, there at the end of the second floor sits our first Starbuck's ever. (I've heard there are at least 2 more opening within the next while...) I bought a "grande" and a bag of beans from Kenya and had a short chat with the manager who is busy hiring new staff. It's exactly the same Starbuck's as you'd find in any town or city back home and the coffee tasted good, although now that I have a new Krups machine and some good bean, my own coffee is pretty tasty! Anyway, for better or worse, the mega chains are here and more will come. Every day Vallarta gets busier, flashier, and more expensive. Will it eventually be the next Acapulco? Let's hope not.