It was exciting then to learn after a little internet search (and thanks to this blog) that in fact our own town of Bucerias in fact had it’s own English bookstore, appropriately named Gringo’s Bookstore. In fact, it still seems to be one of the few English bookstores in PV, another (bigger) being at Plaza Caracol, inside the Soriana complex about 5 minutes south of Sam’s Wal-Mart on the bus down town.

On a typically perfect bright and clear Friday morning, Elysia and I made our way down to 7-A Calle Morelos (off Lazaro Cardenas) in Bucerias centro to experience this local gem for ourselves.

What at first seems like a relatively small selection of books turns out to be potential hours of hunting, as you experience the simple pleasure of scanning the shelves not knowing exactly what you might find, or what you might take home. On the densely packed shelves you can find used titles of both fiction and non fiction (seemingly more of the former) organized alphabetically on the authors name, in many cases regardless of their subject or content, making your search that little more interesting.

More enticing still is the mysterious aroma of baked goods (maybe a nice Banana Bread, I thought) coming from the store’s backrooms. I put a mental post it note on that one for further inspection later.

You also notice that none of the books have prices. The bookstore charges 50% of the publishers price, and gives you the option to return the book for a store credit of 25% of the purchase price that you can use to purchase your next set of books.

After you pay for your books you learn that the smell of baked goods is emanating from the store’s own coffee shop, where you can pick up anything from a chai frappe to a home made slice of numerous kind.

But the experience of Gringo’s Bookstore is yet not complete, in fact, perhaps the most special part is saved for last. Attached to the bookstore is a quiet patio and garden setting. Here you can sit down with your newly acquired treasure, in an open room that (on this divine winter day) feels like perfect room temperate, neither too warm nor too cold even by a degree. You can sip your latte and turn the pages of your book as the combination of sunlight and the gentlest of breezes carresses your skin, the owner’s 2 cats half heartedly play fight around your legs, and the odd tourist saunters in and out without making too much of a stir.

Gringo’s is one place that you immediately know isn’t just a shop… it’s an experience. You won’t spend much money, you won’t expend much energy, and you’ll certainly leave a happier and more relaxed person than when you arrived.

Technorati Tags: bookstores, Bucerias