"The Boys" Our garage door mural behind.

Less than 3 wks. until we return to the states!

Just as we have begun to get so comfortable here in this place often referred to as a "paradise", and as the place of "perpetual Spring", we have to think about going back North.

Our experience over 4+ mo. here has at times been exaspirating, challenging, compromising - but wonderful all the same.  Examples:  The boys across the street finished the 2nd fl. of their casa over a couple of weeks. It started as an open, concrete shell and is now beautiful!  It was fun to watch and listen to them.  Think Karaoke Extraordinaire!  They listened to a 70's oldie radio station and sang loudly (and nicely) to the songs they liked - loudly (but poorly) to those they didn't. Knew all the English words : )  Here everyone loves the Beatles, Annie Lenox, Billy Joel, Elton John,  Springsteen and any of the pop stuff from back then - within a 6 wk. period Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bob Dylan and Carlos Santana all played in Guad. this Spring  : ) Then there was the car repair that should've taken 4-5 days that took over 3 weeks causing us to need a rental car, and adding $900US to cost of the repair : (  The maid (paid for by the owners) comes once a week, we have to vacate the house by 9 am every Fri. for 5 hrs. since she tears the place up while she cleans : (  So we go out and explore the area and then eat lunch at one of our two favorite places. : )  Fun, but it costs extra money for gas and lunch  - and we have no choice about it. : ( We have seen some really nice places we would like to secure for our next trip down here, but amazingly no one will take a down payment for next November!  They will not tie anything down now for that time period : (  We just don;t get it, but are resigned, as that's just the way it is.

And through it all - the weather remains fabulous day after day.  Makes it all OK, you know? ...

Doors in Ajijic

Art is everywhere here - even on the doors to peoples' houses!

Although most people think of San Miguel Allende as the "artist colony" in this area, the truth is there are many forms of art to be amazed and inspired by within a day or two drive from here.  Each one seems to have it's specialty, if you will.  Hand-crafted furniture, for example, is mainly done in an area at the far end, and east of Lake Chapala.  Woven baskets and sombreros are mainly done in an area across the lake from us here (as are finely crafted knives).  In Oaxaca they make wonderful woven things - rugs and more.  Then there is Guadalajara, which is a huge city that has nearly every form of art available to see and purchase.  Our favorite place, if I could choose one, would be a suburb called Tonala that is the place to find tile, pewter, stonewear, glassware, etc. etc.  Everything there is available in a sort of no frills, outlet area - no fancy shops here!  Generally the items are being produced in back of the store.

But back to Ajijic - here they have many people, both locals and gringos that are doing every kind of art.  The small group here (Ajijic Society of the Arts) is very active.  Check their website at www.ajijicart.weebly.com for just a small representation of the members' work.  This weekend is their annual judged show where painters, sculpters, photographers, jewelry and clothing designers and others all come together.  I can't wait! There is such a huge pool of talent here (some huge egos as well, but that's another story).  A few new friends from the jewelry group here will be competing.  And then everything is on display until the end of the month at the Cultural Center at the plaza.

An even larger representation of the enthusiasm for the arts in this area is an annual expo called Feria de los Maestros del Arte which draws from the entire country.  It happens in early November every year somewhere in the Lake Chapala area.  For more information and a look at the various forms of art represented at this fantastic show see their website at www.mexicoartshow.com.  I have not been here to see the show yet, but we will be back in time to see it this year.  Another potential event that would be fun to volunteer for as well!  

This is the beautiful, but "deadly" Jacaranda tree in the lot on the corner behind us.  It apparently causes serious respiratory illness in some people - especially those who normally have hay fever in response to blooming things.  Gregg became absolutely miserable several days ago and just happened to mention it to the guy who cuts his hair. It's pretty common here. Went to a doctor he recommended on Fri. and got a shot of cortisone, and two meds which he has to take for 10 days or so. He's still honking a lot but at least he can sleep now.

We've been shopping for a house to stay in next visit.  There are a lot of them out there for rent, and we hope to find one with a pool next time.  For $850-950US per mo. you can get a 2 bdrm, 2 bath place in almost any area. We like an area on the edge of town called La Floresta, and looked at a house there we would rent in a minute.  But .... the owners come to stay Dec.-Mar. every year, and no one will take a deposit this far in advance for Nov. or Dec. anyway. So if we find one we like, we still have to check back 60 days before we come to see if still available, and then nail it down with a deposit. There are a couple of gated communities with pool, tennis courts and gym available that are also in that range that we need to check out.  A few things we now know:  bring a BBQ down with us next time, absolutely no more places in the village (too noisy), switch the cell phone over to international plan before coming, keep on top of all utility bill payments made by others (they will suspend service immediately if late), new construction is better no matter how charming a place might be as the electricity can ebb and flow at peak times, the internet coverage can be spotty or weak, and the pilot light can go out periodically.  And, unfortunately, NO Jacaranda trees anywhere near!