Henry Was Well Taken Care Of

We have been home for about three weeks now. It has rained and snowed and has been generally miserable weather. After all of the insisting that home was "missed", we are becoming convinced that it would be not so bad to be in Mexico or some other warm and wonderful place for several months during the winter. Or maybe that's just a pipe dream.

Today was a wonderful day. We even saw a number of our neighbors after the long dark time. We also attempted to bring a part of our lawn up to par and ran out of steam. So there is still a lot to do. (Another reason to change life styles - maybe.)

Both of us are getting back into our normal routines and even adding a thing or two. I visited a gym, investigating resources and prices. Then I went to the local senior citizen center and am now excercising with them 3 days a week for $1 each day. I need to get into better shape after laying off for most of a year (for the breast cancer thing). Anyway that is the latest new thing and a great saving of money.

There was an art show in which I participated. I was a wreck before hand because showing any of my work is way out of my comfort zone. I did it however, and had a wonderful experience. I may do it again given the chance. The other artists were wonderful and very talented.

Its back to golf this week if it is not pouring down on Thursday morning. I have missed the women that I play with and will be glad to get back at it.

We haven't made any plans for our 50th wedding anniversary and may not. We might wait to see if this lasts until 55 years.

Goodbye Parties and Thoughts of Returning

We made a trip to Guadalajara to spend a morning with Steve, Cuqui, Lupita and Mrs. Torres. We have enjoyed so much our time with them and have learned a lot of Espanol too. We went to a very lovely restaurant for breakfast and then to Lupita's home to see her art. She is more fantastic than she knows and I hope that in the near future she will have an exhibit so that many more people can appreciate her work.
On the trip back, we went again thru Jocotepec. We hoped to be adventurous and have a bowl of birria (goat stew). Well, we just forgot that it was Friday and all of the places usually serving it were not. Jocotepec is a very Mexican and Catholic little town.
So, we stopped instead at a tourist place in a Balneario in San Juan Cosala and had our lunch. That place is a maze of pools of varying degrees and on Friday just chock full of little children. They also have all of the spa things-massages etc. I have been told its great. Just another treat waiting for next time.
Warmer weather is here. The mornings are still just perfect and if you walk in the shade so is the rest of the day but it gets up to over 72. The evenings are balmy so that's great.
We have looked at several places to rent but will see about what's happening at home before deciding what we will try next year.
Tomorrow we will go on an art walk and take in another good bye dinner - love it - Yep, we will miss this place and everyone here.
art

Jacarandas and Jocotepec

Well, time is winding down. We have only one more week. I am getting ready for cold and dark but am not liking it. The climate here is just right and the flowers and trees are so beautiful The people, everyone of them are very friendly. We can almost pass for Canadians since most of them have family or friends in Seattle.

I finished my portrait class on Friday and am pleased with what I have learned and the progress that I have made. There were only three students in the class and we all became friends. On Monday we will visit the home of Elaine, one of the students. We are all looking forward to seeing her home because it was in the book, "Behind the Walls". It has been Elaine's creative outlet for the past 8 years and it looks beautiful. So we will all go out to dinner after. I am interested also because it is in the town of Ajijic and it would seem to me that that is where I would want to live if I ever rented or had a house here.

I have seen license plates - my little game - from 33 states so far. I'm not looking for Canada plates but I haven't seen Yukon yet.

We took a bus to Jocotepec today. Saw the town square, where there is a carved sign saying that the town was founded in 1529! Open markets, many people, and lots of restaurants serving birria (very popular goat stew, looks good but we had just had breakfast). We are certain (Elva is anyway) that Lorena Ochoa was sitting in the square with her nieces. If not it was a girl who could pass as Lorena. We also saw the malecon in Jocotepec which has a whole park which contains exercise equipment. The malecon (like a board walk) is new and is about a kilometer long. It is all planted beautifully and has many sculptures. There was a wonderful cool breeze coming off the lake.

Recently all of the Jacaranda trees have come into bloom. Suddenly purple flowers--really purple trees--everywhere among the green of the other trees. The blossoms last a month, I am told but as they drop, the ground under and around the trees turns purple. There is also a tree called the Orchid tree which is a sight to behold - very surprising to see orchid blooms on a tree. Another tree that blooms soon has yellow blossoms. Along with the purple it must be a real treat. Unfortunately we will be gone.

Many people who live here year round enjoy the rainy season from June to October most of all. It rains at night time in the summer and is warmer (up to about 82 degrees) in mid day but everything blooms and is green. Every morning winter or summer it is beautiful and cool until about 12 or 1. Maybe next time we will come in the summer. Of course that means not complaining about the winter at home.

Music and Mexicans

Friday night we went with Helen and Doug to opening night of the Northern Lights 7th annual music festival. What beautiful music! Held in the "auditorio" in Ajijic, the acoustics were perfect, and at about 450 people the event was sold out. Organizers had brought together outstanding musicians from the UK, Canada, US and Mexico to form the best chamber orchestra you ever heard. During a 2 1/2 hour program my favorite was Los Cuatro Estaciones (The Four Seasons) by Astor Piazzolla. As a tribute to Vivaldi there are occasional echos of some of his melodies, but the work is mostly based on a tango/jazz combination that is irrresistable. We'll go back for more this week. Find out more at http://www.northernlightsmusic.ca/ .

This was the first event that we have attended where it seemed that the entire audience was composed of Americans and Canadians. Ajijc is not like a seaside resort. Here the english-speaking community mixes well with the Mexicans. We have only found a few restaurants, loncherias, and fondas where the majority of diners are not Mexican. The same is true in the grocery stores and drug stores. Despite the numbers of Americans and Canadians who have made this area their home this is still a very Mexican town. All of the streets are cobblestone except for the main highway through town. Many of the Mexicans keep horses, and wherever you are you can often see and hear horses on the cobblestone streets. Of course ATVs, smart cars, vans and trucks are more common. There is always music being played, and several times every week there is some traditional activity--never fakey stuff for tourists, but always by and for the Mexican people who live here.

Another Week in Paradise

We can't believe that the time is going by so fast! Joan has come and gone - we had so much fun showing her around. I think she liked it. Now, we will be losing our friends Doug and Helen to the world of the cold and wet.

We went to a "Bull Fight" on the day of Carnival. They had a huge crowd for the Carnival Parade. It was great to watch all of the children and young people. Men dressed as women with balloons here and there (it seems to be a thing around this time of the year) chasing young boys mostly and throwing lots of flour or confetti. At times the air was white from all the flour and of course the boys all loved it. There is a story there but I can't remember it now. The Bull Fight was more like a rodeo. A man rode the big bull until he was thrown and men on horseback then roped the bull and led him back out. Of course, I think the bull was experienced in all of it and put on a good show. The men on the horses then showed off how their horses could "dance" to this raucous music which was played by a very enthusiastic bunch of young men. The people loved it and a group of macho men had a party going near us with a tray of lime, tequila and beer. All kinds of food was offered including a lot of very healthy fruits and vegetables and nuts. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Helen and Doug found a cooking class for us. It was conducted by the chef of OleOla - Herb Hazen, who just happens to be from Seattle. We cooked some delicious beans, chicken and shrimp, a catalon pizza - um um good, and a custard. We had lots of wine while we "helped" and then we ate what we cooked. It was a hard day so Pete and I walked home for some well deserved rest.

Visitors, More Music, More Art in Ajijic

Our friend, Joan, arrived on Valentines Day, so here is a picture of her driver giving her a box of candy. She was thrilled because she couldn't remember the name of the town. The word, Ajijic is pretty easy to forget. We have tried to show her as much as we know and discover more with her.

We took a home tour (by this time Helen Z and Doug were here) and saw examples of houses in various areas that were for sale. I think we all agreed that only one would fit our needs but we weren't in the market really. We wanted to see different neighborhoods in order to get toknow the area better. We saw Rancho del Oro, The Racquet Club, an in town condo, and a really nice in town home. It was quite a day.

Joan discovered a wonderful b and b and relocated to it after the third night in her original place. She found Casamalcolm on the corner of Donato and 16 de Septembre. Malcolm is a great guy, very outgoing. The BnB has only 3 rooms and they are comfortable and well appointed. The price is reasonable and Joan says the breakfasts are excellent. This is located just up the street from the Hotel Nueva Pasodo where Helen Z is staying.

Helen decided to take a drawing class with me so she is working very hard. The class is taught by Karl Barnhart who insists he can teach anyone to draw. His method is to teach simple techniques whether it is by grid, tracing, or measuring. Then he teaches shading etc. All of this is done with graphite and eraser. Anyway, we are working hard and there are only 6 in the class so all get individual attention.

There was a Mariachi Concert at the Hotel Real in La Floresta which we attended. It was outstanding. A group of four or five violins, two trumpets, one or two guitars and a large bass guitar and each of the men had operatic voices. They were wonderful and really a bit of a surprise, we had no idea what we were getting into. One of the violinists did a solo that sounded like Paganini. Surprisingly beautiful, it way exceeded expectations.

Took a trip to Chapala yesterday with Joan. We had lunch in the Beer Garden Restaurant which has been there since - the beginning. We walked along the malecon and visited some vendors along the way. We saw lots of white pelicans and children swimming. The day was just perfect temperature wise. Almost all days here are perfect.

This is Joan's last day so we will take her to a nice restaurant which is close by our place - Roberto's then we have to get up tomorrow very early to escort her to the airport in Guadalajara.

Circular Pyramids

Have you ever heard of ancient pyramids in western Mexico? Not built by the Aztecs, nor by the Mayans, these pyramids are 1,000 years older than those at Chichen Itza. And they are circular! Nice and round, and surrounded by square platforms. these were elaborate ceremonial sites with ball courts and open areas in a beautiful hilltop setting about 30 miles west of present-day Guadalajara.
On Tuesday, February 10th, we took the bus to Chapala, to begin a tour to these pyramids. We first went to the town of Teuchitlan, a pretty place founded in the early 1540s. Then out to Guachimontones. They started excavating the area in 1999, and have just started construction on a visitor center/museum. The ball game was called "ulama", and the court is about 3 times as long as other ball courts we have seen in Oaxaca, Arizona,,and other places--and the game was very different, with no hoop, a large, heavy rubber ball that had to be struck with the hip, and something like an end zone to score. And as with some other ritual sports, the captain of the WINNING team was rewarded by having his head removed.
Afterward we had lunch in Tequila, founded April 15, 1530, by Franciscans, then to a small tequila factory where we watched the whole process from cutting leaves off the blue agaves, leaving the "pineapple" to be cooked, all the way to the finished product.
I mention dates of founding to give you an idea of how old this culture is. The blue agave has been used to make a fermented drink for over 2,000 years. Much, maybe most, of the culture of Mexico is based on the unbroken traditions of the people who got here first. And there has been plenty of time for the Spanish and Indian cultures to blend, evolve, and develop the unique society of Mexico. Ajijic, where we are now, has been home to people for thousands of years, and it was "founded" again by the spanish in the early 1540s. That is over 300 years before Seattle and most other cities of central and western United States--with the obvious exception of cities like LA, Santa Fe, San Antonio, and others which were originally part of Spanish North America. I wonder what Seattle will be like 300 years from now.

A Hike to the Waterfall

There are miles of protected bicycle paths along the carretera between lakeside towns. Also many hikes in the surrounding mountains/hills, according to several publications. I was not interested until I saw on my map of Ajijic "pedestrian walk to El Tepalo waterfall (15 minutes)". That looked doable, and the trailhead looked to be only about a mile walk from our house. So about nine on Sunday morning I headed out. Got to the trailhead in about 20 minutes. From there it was fun! We are near the end of the dry season, so there was no water. But the hike soon turned into a climb, requiring both hands as well as both feet to ascend some of the rockier parts. The air is thin here at 5,000 feet, and gets thinner as you get higher. I started panting, and stopped when I heard voices. I soon met 3 Canadians, one of whom had climbed this route several times. (By the way, there are Americans here from almost every state, but we are outnumbered by the Canadians, and I have not yet met one whom I did not like.)
They let me join them, and we reached the falls after a half hour. I then continued on up with them. Higher and higher. After another 45 minutes their leader told them that they were going to circle the summit, then cross over and circle another summit--and try to get back well before dark. That is when I left them, and I found going down even harder than going up. Some spots were so steep that I had to turn around to climb down backwards. What amazed me was evidence that people had recently ridden horses up that trail. And hundreds of feet up there were several cattle grazing in the woods. They must have found water somewhere.
I got home a little after one pm. My water bottle was empty by then, as 15 minutes had become over 4 hours of fun!-------posted by Pete

Just a Little Crowing

Our friend, Mike asked some good questions. Here's our answer.

Your questions are so good that they deserve to be answered in our (really mainly Elva's) blog. Elva found this place on line. She thought we'd meet more people in a B and B. So we booked this last April. We were paid in full in September. Then in December they called and asked if we would mind being bumped to a casita--a little house under a bigger house--a few blocks away. OK, if we still got the brunches that we had paid for. Being moved here was very lucky for us because it is roomy and quiet, and the rooms in the BandB are small. Do not do what we did. Next time we will be more flexible. If we come we'll stay 4 or 5 months. The weather is always perfect, so why not? Maybe book a hotel for a week, then just come down and look at a few of the many houses that are for rent. Depending on view,etc., you can rent a fully furnished house with maid and gardener for between $500 and $700 US per month. I know, it is hard to break a lifetime of habits which have served us well, but it really is the best way.

That leads to the next matter. There are also plenty of car rentals at the airport and here in Ajijic. My friend Steve met us at the airport. Good thing. The man at the BandB forgot he said he would meet us. We got there to get the keys and he had gone home for the day! With Steve's help and many calls from Steve's house over about 6 hours we finally got our place open fairly late at night. Of course, a taxi from the airport is not expensive and a hotel would be open and waiting. Have to remember that this is Mexico and not let any little thing bother you. What important thing do you have to do anyway.

No real cooking yet. A big brunch, we usually only have one more meal. Many excellent restaurants at very reasonable prices. We walk a lot, so we pick up fixin's at little tiendas nearby. Today dinner was a bolillo for about 7 cents--very delicious french roll--with some ham, cucumber, mayo, and some avocado from the tree in our yard. I had hoped to lose some weight. It seems to be working.
I have been working on learning spanish for 5 years. There is opportunity to use it here--but it's not necessary. A few words help, but so many anglophones live here full time that english serves very well. There are many plays,musicals, excursions, etc., by and for the anglo community. Even on the bus you can get by in english.

A Week of Painting For Fun

I had a wonderful time in this painting class. Everything was supplied and the teacher was superb. It was very laid back and pleasant with only 5 students. I have to say that I chose this painting because I wanted to work on the sunlight coming through the window and door. Most of the time I like to work with very bright colors but this was different and fun.
We also visited a beautiful house which was rented by several couples from Canada. It was very large - 4 bedrooms 4 baths, patio, pool and garden to give you an idea. They shared the rent for 2 months and every other night a different couple cooked. They were such interesting and friendly people.
Pete played golf finally. Had a great time while I was painting. Both of us will play next week.
Pete paid 4 $ to get a hair cut. I got highlights and lowlights and a shampoo and cut for $50. Then we went on a tour of a house near where we are staying. In the LasSalvias area of Ajijic. It was GRAND. I loved it. For sale furnished, but overpriced for this market at this time. It even had a baby grand piano. 2 big bedrooms, 2 baths, pool, living room, dining room, beautiful kitchen, laundry room, den (or another bedroom) sitting room, patios, views of the mountains and the lake and the most gorgeous gardens I have seen. WOW. And I just want rent. We will go on other house tours in the future to see how this one holds up. Very interesting entertainment for a day.
Next week we will go on a tour to the pyramids and to tequila making farm. Visit the market on Wednesday, take a home tour and golf. We are so busy and we walk about two or three miles a day.

Odds and Ends

It is very easy to be busy all of the time here. But I wanted to take some time and note some of the different and interesting (to me) stuff.
Imagine a place where you had no furnace or airconditioning in your house. That would save a few dollars.
Now imagine a little city with narrow streets made of cobblestones and there are no stop signs at any corners or intersections. Tonnage wins but also just courtesy is used in order not to dent your car..
One other thing that has been interesting to me is the lack of panhandlers. We haven't seen that here or even the ever present sales people. There are a few salespeople but not like the ocean resorts.
Okay, another sight that I thought was interesting was an "outing" for what looked like mental patients. There were about 20 people and about 5 or 6 caretakers and they were in the park in Chapala. They seemed tobe having a good time and to be well taken care of.
Here we have a picture of Pete using the lap pool at our casita. It was cold so he was in a hurry to get out.

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.