Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (WBEN) - Somewhere the ghost of the late Irv Weinstein would be smiling at WKBW-TV news director Aaron Mason being an "eyewitness" to Mexican drug cartel violence and a related 'shelter-in-place' order.
Mason and some friends arrived at Puerto Vallarta on Feb. 20 for a nine-day vacation in what he describes as his "happy place."
For the first few days, it was idyllic with 80-degree plus temperatures, blue skies and a very relaxing atmosphere.
Then, on Feb. 22, the mood shifted and took a 180 degree turn after the Mexican military conducted a raid on the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, killing its leader - Nemescio 'El Mencho" Osequera Cervantes and six others.
The cartel pushed back with a series of violent acts in Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara and four other Mexican states including Nuevo Leon and Guerrero.
Among the acts of violence was the burning of vehicles, pulling people from cars and disrupting life.
Mason said he was walking down some streets in Puerto Vallarta and noticed thick black smoke in the air - that's when his newsman DNA kicked in.
"People were sitting in restaurants, relaxing and watching the (Olympic gold medal) hockey game and outside there was this black smoke coming down the street and across the beaches," Mason said. "I just knew something was wrong."
The Mexican government instituted a "shelter-in-place" order, which as of Monday remains in effect.
That means no walking on the beach; no stopping by a bar or restaurant or shopping.
"We have to stay put," Mason said.
That means Mason and his eight friends are sticking close to the Airbnb they rented for the week. Mason and his friends are among the many Western New Yorkers vacation in Mexican but impacted by the shelter-in-place order.
"Certainly not the way to plan a vacation," Mason said.
The timing will hurt the Mexican tourism and hospitality industry as this is one of its peak seasons.
"These area thrive on tourists," Mason said.
For now, Mason and his friends are waiting out the shelter-in-place order. He remains hopeful, it will be lifted and their vacation plans can continue.
"It is nice just walking on the beach in your bare feet," Mason said.