Mexico Daily Living

The Boat Across the Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:14:00 +0000

I heard yesterday at LCS that there is a boat ride now that goes to the other side of the lake. It is very inexpensive, less than seven dollars. I am going to take it this week end. I will take photos while I am on the ride and put some on the blog. From now on, I am not going to be so personal on this blog. I think that was a big mistake. Lucky for me, I was able to delete all that personal stuff....... It still went out into cyberspace but I hope to be more cautious from now on about things like that. I still want to thank everyone that wrote to me to lift up my spirit when I was feeling down. That meant a lot to me.

My Evening Walk to the Lake with Chico

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:29:00 +0000

The Kayak Club Going Out on the Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:56:00 +0000

Looks like the fishermen brought their own couch. What a life!

Another Wednesday Market in Ajijic

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Shark

It Rained Yesterday

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:50:00 +0000

It didn't rain for long. Not a lot of water hung on the plants. These leaves are in my garden. We have had a couple of very gloomy overcast days. It looks like the sun is coming out now.

The Two Wolves

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:50:00 +0000

I am sure that many of you have already heard this little story. I keep it posted on my refrigerator to remind me about it whenever I get to feeling depressed or overwhelmed or like running away from problems and negative experiences. Yesterday was one of those days. This morning it was the first thing I noticed. Someone, maybe the spirit of my mother, brought it to my attention because I needed to read it.

One evening and old Apache told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all "One is Evil---It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is The Spirit--It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?'

The old Apache simply replied, "The one you feed..."

Another Visit from the Plumbers

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:25:00 +0000

The new hot water heater wasn't working properly so the two handsome plumbers paid us another visit this morning. That was a treat. I am not the only woman who found them handsome (I got e mails on the blog about them) so it had nothing to do with the fact that they were bringing me more hot water. They are just two very good looking men. I didn't bother them again for photos. I just enjoyed them from a distance.

One of the nice things about living here is that my landlord takes care of all the business with keeping things running smoothly here. He speaks Spanish. He is very competent. After five years of living next door and sharing the same yard, we are more appreciative of each other. He likes it that Chico hangs out with me and sleeps in my house. He is a very active man and isn't home much. Even though he is eighty years old, he has a busy social life. I am more of a homebody so I hang out most afternoons in the yard with Chico. I am happy living here. I am happy to be home once again.

My Grocery Bill in Ajijic Today

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:07:00 +0000

This is what I bought today at my local grocery store. Two small filet mignon steaks, enough hamburger for me and Chico for one meal, looks like almost two pounds of bacon, one beer, three zucchinis, eight potatoes, one bottle of olive oil, one sweet roll, one bolillo bread, one large bottle of dish soap, one roll of paper towels, and a small amount of Blue Cheese. When I brought it home Chico went crazy over the smell of the blue cheese. He LOVES it but at almost two hundred dollars a kilo, he only gets a small taste. I only get a small taste too. That is the most expensive item I bought today. The cost was 19 dollars for everything. Not bad, not bad..... I am guessing that this same amount and kind of food would cost at least 35 dollars in the States. What is your guess?

La Una Restaurant in Ajijic

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:56:00 +0000

La Una Restaurant has only been open for a few months but it seems to have become a very popular place. I had breakfast there today with Chico. They didn't mind that he was with me. It was delicious food. The atmosphere is friendly. They have two outside areas for eating, and two inside areas. It is owned by Douglas and Susanna. It is just around the corner from the Ajijic Plaza. Their phone number is: 331 145 5551 or (376) 766 2072.

Douglas and Susanna

Susanna is the artist

Chico, waiting patiently for me

Rene, the handsome waiter

Back outside eating area

Photos of the Same Old Six Blocks in Ajijic

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:17:00 +0000

My son teases me about taking photos of the same six blocks for five years. Well, I am back in Ajijic and taking the same photos once again.

Restaurant at Lake Chapala Society

Lake Chapala Society

Ajijic Plaza

Restaurant at the Ajijic Plaza

Ajijic Plaza

This dog is hanging out by the fountain and the butcher shop. Smart dog.

The Plumbers

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

He is running the hot water in my bathroom, making sure it works.

I got photos of the two plumbers today while they were putting in the new hot water heater for us. I have been using only small amounts of hot water for five years now. Maybe it is like falling in love with your doctor. They might not have seemed so good looking to me under normal circumstances. But they are bringing me HOT WATER so they seem very handsome right now...... OR maybe they are just handsome men. I can't tell anymore about men. If they are nice to me and respectful, then they are handsome. I like men who make me laugh too. That can make a man very handsome in my eyes.

More Las Islatas Beach Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Fried Bananaa

This beach house was destroyed in Hurricane Kenna

Saba

Don and Saba putting their faces inside the truck from their seats in the back

Wanderlust and Homesickness

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:14:00 +0000

Last night I was reading a book and I came upon this quote. It describes exactly how I have been feeling. It is from a book that was written in German. Titled: Self's Deception by Bernhard Schlink and translated by Peter Constantine. It is a mystery novel. I was deeply affected by these words as if they came from my own heart:

"But what really preoccupied me that weekend was my wanderlust and homesickness.

Wanderlust is the longing for a new country that we don't yet know, and homesickness is a longing for an old country that we no longer know, even if we think we do.

Why do I have this longing for the unknown? What do I want--to leave or to return?"

Those words totally capture how I have been feeling here. I change my mind everyday, stay or leave? Great writing. Wish I could write like that.

The San Blas Borrego Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:06:00 +0000

Fishing boats

Fresh coconut meat

Big Dog in the San Blas Plaza

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:02:00 +0000

I would hate to have to feed this dog.

Pool Party at the Hotel Bucanero

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

the building in the background isn't the hotel. it has been abandoned for years.

the water was COLD. You see, only children were willing to use it.

Another Saturday Market in San Blas

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:32:00 +0000

On the way to the market

the carnival is still set up at the market

They found some interesting toys

women bringing in cakes to sell

Fundraiser at the Beach for the Spay and Neuter Clinic

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:50:00 +0000

My friend Don

Celebrating the Families in the Plaza, Especially the Older Members

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:21:00 +0000

Last night in the plaza there was a live band and lots of dancing in celebration of the families, especially the older members. I felt right at home, even though I was the only member of my family there. The man with the microphone made a point of calling me out to dance and he asked where I was from. I answered, Chapala. Funny, I didn't think to say anywhere in the States. It was a lot of fun. Everyone was so loving and happy. I felt right at home and I loved the music and the dancing. This is when I started to thinking about moving here instead of Ajijic.

Man in the right is coaxing me to get out and dance.

My two new friends, again hamming it up

Early Evening in San Blas

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Sleeping Baby

In the evenings the birds flock to the plaza and sing up a storm before going to sleep

Lunch on the Beach in San Blas

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:43:00 +0000

Fish


Guacamole

Net Fishing in San Blas

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Years ago when I was here, I watched them bring in a huge net like the one they brought in yesterday. But then the net was filled with fish. They were flapping out of the net and people were carrying them off by the bucket full. Things have changed. The fishing has almost dried up as you can see by the small amount in this net. It was still very exciting to watch.

Marcos, Another Handsome Man Here

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:29:00 +0000

Marcos is a Huichol. He walks the beach selling their beautiful jewelry. He has been living here for as long as I have been coming here. Handsome man and also very nice.

Falling in Love Again and Again and Again

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

This morning I woke up once again feeling a low grade depression. Missing Chico. Missing my yard. Missing my friends. Missing the internet connection. I have a long list of things I miss that are in Ajijic.

I started sorting through my things, repacking my suitcase, cleaning out the refrigerator, setting things aside for Pat. I planned on taking the early morning bus the next day back to Ajijic.

By mid afternoon I was at the beach, swimming in the waves, eating guacamole, taking photos of people bringing in the fish net. I started thinking: Maybe I will stay until the end of the month here. After all, I have already paid the rent until then and walking on the beach is so good for my ankle.

By evening, while I was dancing in the plaza with all the friendly Mexicans, I started running through my list of people I know who own pick up trucks. Wondering if I could talk one of them into going with me to Ajijic to get all my things so I could move back to San Blas. I was thinking of how much more fun it was to be out dancing in the plaza instead of hiding out in my casita at night in Ajijic, afraid to walk the streets after dark.

This pattern has been going on since I arrived here. It is a good thing I live alone. I drive MYSELF crazy. No one else could put up with the way I constantly change my mind.

This is the real problem: Every day as it progresses I fall in love again with the simplicity and beauty of San Blas.

Having Fun in San Blas with the Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia W.) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:11:00 +0000