Amazing, huge, flowers that grow in our back yard.  Below is the view looking out over the lake from our Mirador. The succulents probably come from the vivero (nursery) that is next door to this gated group of twelve lots (6 houses w/1 under construction) and a small, shared pool. The nursery is "cactus only", est. in 1991, and has many, many different kinds. Really neat! I want to go wander around in there sometime soon. Between our little community and the lake are some very large and beautiful homes. I speculate that they may belong to druglords' families... It's possible that I read too many crime novels, though. I feel completely safe here.

As I did in posts from our last visit, I will share some interesting info from the Guadalajara Reporter. I have already read in various sources how well the Mexican economy is doing (very well, gracias), but the wealth is not shared by all, as you may imagine.  Example: 52 Guad. neighborhoods will finally gain permanent access to running water next year. This is in a very cosmopolitan city of about 7 million people (counting all the neighborhoods outside of the muni. of Guad. that I mentioned).  This is astounding to me. Related to this, a new dam is under construction in Jalisco to provide water to 2.4 million people in the area. The only catch - three established towns will be flooded when the project is complete.  Construction has continued despite appeals being legally filed by residents (and ignored or dismissed by Mexico's Supreme Court). The project is 53% complete, and is scheduled to be finished in 2013.

On the positive side, the skate park that just opened was made possible by a 50/50 collaboration of federal and local monies, and is working well. And...the arts community is forever strong here. Later this week is the 11th annual Feria Maestros del Artes which brings folk and indigenous artisans here from all parts of Mexico. We will be volunteering all days, and I can't wait.  This is some of the best artwork available anywhere. Below is a link to their website:
http://www.mexicoartshow.com/ 

No picture this time. I have lots to write about and no time to take new pics right now.

The Dia de los Muertos holiday is drawing to an end. The only part of it we were able to be a part of was a really fun event called "Thrill the World", which apparently happens in many locations. People dress up like zombies and do a choreographed dance to M. Jackson's Thriller. People who take part get sponsors and all proceeds go to charity. Ajijic's group was about 40 strong, young and old - Gringo and locals - and it was REALLY well done. There is a woman locally who is really talented and trains people for a couple of months beforehand. Unfortunately, the sun was too bright and the orientation wrong for pics.

The skate park I mentioned, was dedicated by local parks and gov. folks as well as the architect involved who is related to friends of ours here. It's pretty neat - right on the lake - and the day of dedication there was a competition that drew competitors from all over Mexico, as well as live music later on in the day. If I knew how to incorporate my video taken on my IPhone in this blog I would share it with you. I'm thinking both of these events are probably on YouTube.

Our new place is great in many aspects. The kitchen is huge and cabinet space is amazing there in. What a treat for Gregg and for me, as I don't get in his way when he's cooking and I am trying to clean up behind him! We have had issues that we shouldn't have, that are not resolved yet. The dishwasher doesn't work and our satellite service is wacked (read: intermittent). As usual the place is missing a lot of things that we need.  And as usual, we are checking out all second-hand options. Today we went to a local woman's sale that is leaving in a month and selling EVERYTHING. This happens a lot here, so if you can jump on these opportunities when they come up you can really get some deals. Today we got two German knives worth over  $125US ea.as well as a 3rd knife worth $30 all 3 for $40US. Houses can be purchased like this as well. It's all about being there at the right time, you know? More soon ...

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

No photo this time - we are back in Oregon after a week and a half trip up the coast of Mexico, into Sonoma, CA for some wine tasting and laundry duty and a full day's drive from Sonoma to Oregon City.  When we got home it was as though we had brought the wonderful weather home with us.  It was 82 degrees the first two days, but now it is back to Oregon Spring - 60 something and the threat of rain all the time!

I have thrown myself into deep cleaning as our youngest son was house-sitter while we were gone, and he did not clean (except for dishes and laundry).  If he were not going to school, working full-time AND getting straight A's I would have to fault him ... There are so many things to take care of/reinstate - the cable TV account, newspaper, gym membership, etc.  Not to mention letting everyone know that we are, indeed, back home safely.  So many have been concerned for our safety, and as I have mentioned earlier most of that concern is unfounded.  We had a very easy drive back home.  There were maybe two times out of at least ten checkpoints that we were worried we would be detained, and with those we weren't frightened - just potentially annoyed at the delay.  And... the worst of those incidents was with US Customs agents.  Most of the Mexican agents apologized for detaining us just for a minute or two.

While I clean, both inside and out in the yard (and I have indulged in some Spring planting), Gregg has focused on getting our boat cleaned up and ready to go.  He has his fishing license and now has his own calendar going trying to juggle about 6 or 8 people and schedule several fishing trips in the near future.  Priorities may be different for us, but it's all good.

Check in with us in August or September as that is when we will be planning our next trip, expected to be from Nov. 1st to at least the middle of April of 2013.

Limon buds - this was just a stick when we arrived!

It's Palm Sunday as I write this post. For this next week, Easter will take over Mexico. One local gringo told me on New Years day "If you think they take New Years seriously, wait 'til you see what happens here at Easter time!"

Beginning this evening there is a procession from the east end of town recreating Jesus and the desciples' entry into Jerusalem.  Actors lead, with a throng of people following waving palm fronds, wheat springs and herbal bouquets. There is a special evening Mass when they arrive at the large church as well as a huge street fair (Jamaica del Pasado). All very traditional.

On Maundy Thursday, they recreate the Last Supper and other portions of the Passion Play with actors, beginning on the "mountain" side of town.  There Jesus is taken away in shackles by torch-bearing soldiers and led down to the plaza.  The realism in these recreations is said to be difficult for some people to handle, we're told.  Good Friday brings sequences from the Trial and Condemnation, and the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) where the faithful follow Jesus, carrying a heavy cross up to the side of the hill again.  Then he is carried back down through town to the church, where a burial scene is enacted.  After Mass, churchgoers "parade" through town in La Marche de Silencio, which is done in complete silence, through darkened streets to mourn his death.  Easter eve brings the lights back to the church, a re-enactment of the Resurrection and then at 11 pm the bells in all local churches will peal to start a festival that will probably go on all night.  It's called Quema de Judas, and includes a custom of blowing up paper mache figures symbolizing evil with many firecrackers.  No surprise there... Other than more church services, Easter Sunday is quiet and I suspect it will be like at Christmas where everyone will end up at the park by the lake.

While all of this is going on, it is school holiday for two weeks (their Spring Break).  There are MANY tourists in town already.  The newspaper said over the week we can expect to see 2 million additional people visit.  I doubt that figure, but it is a huge lake and there are a lot of varied destinations (beaches, mountains, islands, etc) so who knows?

"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? ...