AROUND TOWN

Art Auction at Hotel Neuvo Pasada. We went to the Art Auction at the Neuvo Pasada. It was a dinner and auction with Efren being the auctioneer. Great fun and fine food. The proceeds went to a good cause - an Easter production by children of Ajijic. There were about 40 pieces. Great prices too.

The Leather Guy - I have been taking friends to this leather shop because he does a great job on special orders for purses etc and his prices are right. This trip my friends bought at least 3 bags from him - some with special features, also belts. Then I took a friend there to order a couple of small leather bags that hang around the neck - for passport and id etc. I have one. It took almost 2 weeks to get them made and we must have gone back 5 times after he said, "I forgot come back at 6pm" more than once. We did get them and they are great but what a runaround - was it because it was a different style? Was it because he didn't have the zippers? He didn't say. It couldn't have been the color of my friends skin or the fact that he was a male......do you think? Anyway, the price was right. I guess I might continue to recommend him. But I might forget also.

The Malecon - Ajijic has the most lovely malecon. Mornings are great for those people who get up early and insist upon exercising. Evenings are my time, especially when all of the families and children are there. Also the young lovers. As we were walking a few days ago, we stopped to watch two egrets doing a mating dance. They were so beautiful with their top knots all fluffed up. The same day we saw some yellow birds doing the same thing. It must be spring here in paradise.

The Lakeside Little Theater - So we thought we would eat dinner at the Hotel Casa Blanca. French food - very good. Then we walked to the square and caught a taxi to the Little Theater in San Antonio. The production was "The Foreigner". I must say that it was very well done and very funny. Many of the people involved in the theater are retired professionals or people who have had a bit of experience (Duh) and so the sets, production, direction and acting are excellent.

We thought we would be able to get a bus and indeed there was a bus stop but, we waited about 15 minutes and decided to walk home in the dark. Well, no sidewalks, cobble stones and very little light plus it was a long way (relatively). A bus went by, of course. We made it - no sprained ankles or scrapes.

The Rythum of the days

Experimenting with the fresh food

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

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.