Money, cars and other info

We have found that "Effectivo" or cash is almost the only way to pay here in Ajijic. The dentist took American Express but otherwise checks, credit cards or travelers check are not accepted. The dollar has gone up from about 10 to 1 to about 14 to 1 so it is pretty simple to keep track.

We also learned that when you live here you can get car license tabs from South Dakota through the mail. It looks as if all of South Dakota is here along with Canadians but the mail-in tab thing and the low cost is the answer.

We are talking to many people about where they live and how long they stay. We are full of questions and everyone is so helpful with information and suggestions. We visited the American Legion in Chapala and met a woman who works there and gave us all kinds of good info. The American Legion has many activities throughout each month and a monthly publication.

We really, really are enjoying the weather here! The birds are so beautiful and there are very few pesty bugs like mosquitos and flies.

Music, Art and Canadians

As I said before, we went to a play reading. Well, we have also sampled an offering put on by the Northern Lights Music Festival. There was a wonderful violinist and pianist. They were just great. Now this isn't Mexican music, its international classical. It was very well attended maybe because it was free and so was the food. We met another couple from Canada. I don't know how the country gets along when most of them seem to be traveling all the time. Anyway, a very nice couple as are all of the people we have met. They told us about the gym that is quite close to where we are living.

After the concert, we had dinner at a wonderful restaurant with just the greatest service and ambiance. Armando's. Needless to say, it was dark by the time we were ready to walk home and I thought I might be fearful but I wasn't. Nothing to be frightened of. It was about 8 or 8:30 and on some blocks the families were just setting up food stands. It all looked great and smelled good but we had already eaten. Lots of children out and it is balmy.

On Sunday, we had breakfast at the Chapala Country Club with Steve and Cukie (?). He gave us a tour of the golf course and a look at some of the houses for rent or sale and then we drove to several other areas where expats rent or own just so we will have an inkling of the area if we decide to come again.

Yesterday, we went to a presentation given by an art instructor and of course, I signed up. So, I will be busy learning a little and having lots of fun. He supplies everything. A good deal. I am looking forward to it. Pete will join the gym and meet me after in the square. Such a life!

We have been enchanted by the music and mexican people in the square each evening. Today we may play golf otherwise we will just hang out. Pete may swim in the little lap pool.

dentist and bus

This is from Pete. I just back from getting a new crown. $5,200 pesos, which comes to just over $400 US at current exchange rate. Top notch dentist, extremely up-to-date technology, courteous and fast. So why not get something done as long as we are here anyway? By the way there are lots of dentists in Ajijic, but I already knew Dr. Haro, whose office is in Riberas del Pilar. I took the bus. We are giving a try to doing without a car, at least for the first few weeks. Walking has been fine for almost everything, but for over a mile or so the bus works fine and costs less than a dollar for most trips to nearby towns. The local markets have met our needs for now, and if an impulse arises the new Walmart is less than five minuteds away by bus.

So far we are having a little difficulty getting used to awaking to sun, a cool breeze, and vari-colored birds in our yard including hummingbirds sampling the flowers in our trees.

Living in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico in January 2009

We are enjoying the mild weather and the wonderful scenery and great food of Ajiic. We have met people from many states and from Canada. All escaping the cold weather. Our "casita" is very nice and convenient to the little town and to the lake. This week we have visited Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque (a beautiful artsy town) on Sunday when all of the tourists from the city visit too. During this time a thief (probably an inside job) stole Steve's Nissan Z car and some other stuff from his house in Ajijic. This is his first burglary in 6 years here. Anyway, he dealt with the police and insurance etc on Monday and we house sat and TV watched on Tues while he followed up on paper work.. The police came soon after he left and they had found his car and wanted Pete to come with them to identify it. I did not have my camera ready to take a photo of Pete being taken away by the police. Too Bad. He made it back okay. One of the police had lived in Renton.

We have taken a bus tour around the lake (Lake Chapala) thru all of the very little no gringo towns and learned a lot of history of the area. Of course we visited churches and city halls and we saw pelicans on the lake by the hundreds near a very very small fishing village. Yesterday, Fri, we attended a reading of a play by the Lake Chapala Society members and tonight we will go to a musical production. Lots of things to do each day. Next week we look into classes. I'll try to attach a picture of something.

Learning to use a blog

We are now the proud owners of a tiny Acer net book and are trying to learn to use it and to learn how this blog thing works. So now that I'm on line (using my neighbors wi-fi) I need to learn to post to the blog. Then of course I need to find out how other people can read it while we are away. So that is what I am trying to do now. I need to find out about putting in photos too.