This restaurant us right down the street!

At the end of our first couple of weeks here we already have had lots of things going on -some not so different than at home in Oregon. I went to a class/mtg. with my semi-pro jewelry making group here. We watched the Oregon football game on ESPN (yes, we have cable TV here), and other than that, we returned to the gym here and have had some great meals. Gregg and our hostess in Ajijic, until the 1st, have been trading off cooking most dinners. Interestingly, a fellow who lives across the street is from Bend, OR and had dinner here one night. He plays golf, and is a fisherman so Gregg is looking forward to a Dorado (tuna) fishing excursion in the near future. And... our host used to be the wine steward at an upscale supermarket in Oregon City, so we have also enjoyed some great wines - including some bottles of Oregon Pinot that we brought to share and a couple from his cellar.

The weather has been wonderful - 78 to 84 degrees every day depending on when the low clouds/fog burn off over the lake. We did have heavy rain one night.  I think most of the 1.17 in. of rain they have had in Oct. fell that night, actually! We are told that it NEVER rains this late in the year here, but there is a threat for several days this week. At least the temps are still warm when it is dropping the rain that never happens this time of year...

In the next post I'll talk about our house, that we move into on Tues., and the Dia de Los Muertos festivities this week. Also, there is a new skate park, just finished, in the park by the lake - BIG news here!

Another beautiful Ajijic sunset

Getting ready to leave Oregon, I thought of the things I will miss while in Mexico. It started out a good-sized list and ended up short: Really good coffee, real Pinot Noir, Chanterelle mushrooms picked 2 hrs. from home, salmon caught at the coast 3 hrs from home, coupons for groceries, reliable phone and internet service and my family - especially my Grandson! The other things that started on the list, I realized, amounted to differences between life here and there - not needs. We are in their place as visitors and should always keep that in mind.

Our trip down was much easier, but not completely uneventful. The drive was 6 nights and 7 days. At vehicle registration we sailed through in half the time (about 45 min) it took last year and avoided inspection of our overpacked car, getting the green light again. No burning tankers on the side of the road to slow traffic to a stop like last year. However... our first night in Mexico we planned to pass Cuidad Obregon based on our disastrous stay there last year, and drive on through to Navajoa. It was not to be. There wasn't a single room in town available to rent! There was a HUGE fiesta with serious sound stage and all the other street party amenties. I've never seen so many bikers in one place (hundreds) - but then I've never been to Sturgis either... Had to return to Obregon, wasting 2hrs and $10US going back thru the tollgate. The room we got was tiny, no internet, loud and there was no cold water in the shower. The only positive to this experience was a wonderful gatekeeper for the parking lot who was anxious to help with anything and to practice his English, while helping me with my Spanish.

On to Mazatlan the last night travelling and the experience was just the opposite. The place is called Las Villas. Beautiful room on the beach, wonderful meal and fantastic service. Of course, early Oct. is still off-season and only about 15 rooms were rented out of 65. Downside was the the temp and humidity - the same at about 90.

Next day: Our last day on the road was going fine until we came upon a convoy of Federale trucks and two "vehicular tanks" - one in front and one at the back, right in front of us. It had no windows and an open "lid" like a tank with a cop covered in black from head to toe (including his face), and holding a machine gun. He stood and watched us for 45 min while they drove much below the speed limit looking for drug runners, no doubt. The rest of the drive to Ajijic was smooth due to new signage and lots of road improvements going through Guadalajara. We arrived on Monday, and so far it's all good!
Beauti