The Lake Chapala Society is located in the heart of Ajijic, on 16th of September St. #16-A. It is also the heart of the lives of most  expats here. It is the first place I was taken to visit when I arrived in Ajijic. I used the bulletin board to look for a rental. Every time I go there, I see what is new up on the boards. Salesmen at the Front Gate of the  Lake Chapala Society The grounds open a...

From the Dictionary: Expat, exile, expatriate, a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country. It is harder for me to write about the expats than the Mexicans. It is acceptable to claim ignorance of the Mexicans’ lives since I am an outsider. But I am an expat. I have no excuse for my meager knowledge of the expat society here. My only explanation is that I am an outsider, not a joiner. This...

My favorite photos are of people. I have seen many travel videos that showed beautiful scenery but no people. I remember a few years ago seeing one like that of San Blas. I was sitting in a rickety seat in a small movie theater watching a video of a place where I was living, and I didn’t recognize any of it.  They must have taken those shots so early in the morning that no one was up yet. Many of them...

El Parque is located in San Antonio, right off the main street. It goes up at the stop light near Super Lake and Tony’s restaurant. As you go up the hill, it is about half a block and to the right. You will see the gate with the guards. Guards at El Parque You can’t come inside unless a resident has invited you. The guards always call the person you want to visit before they open the...

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week because it is market day. I love to shop at the outdoor market. I live just a couple of blocks from it. I buy all my food for the week there except milk, bacon and toilet paper. I also like to sometimes have breakfast at Salvador’s Restaurant with my friends. Salvador’s is busy all day on Wednesdays. Salvador's Restaurant Some of the sellers are what I...

Christiana Park is easy of find because many of the streets running perpendicular to the main street in Chapala end at the park. Also, if you walk to the east end of the Lake, past the restaurants and turn left, you will come upon the front entrance to it.You have to pay a five-peso fee to get in the gate; more if there is an event going but it is well worth the entrance fee. It is a bargain....

The Real de Chapala is located in Lower La Floresta, just a couple of blocks from my little casita. It is easy to find if you know about it. There is a sign pointing towards it to the left as you come in on the main road (Carretera) from Chapala towards Ajijic. I didn’t notice that sign.  I walked around this neighborhood for many months until I noticed the hotel. It is hidden among beautiful homes....

Every town in Mexico has a patron saint. Chapala’s is St. Francis of Assisi. I don’t know much about the Saints. I am not a Catholic. From what I have heard about St. Francis of Assisi, he is my favorite because of his love for the poor people, nature and animals. There was a nine-day celebration in Chapala from September 26th through October 4th.  A carnival was set up near the Malecon and I heard...

I took these photos early one morning at the Chapala Plaza. It was before the streets became crowded. So, don’t be fooled by these photos. The Chapala Plaza is usually an extremely busy place. Holidays and weekends are the most crowded times. I will do another post on weekends in Chapala. It becomes like a different town when all the tourists flood in from Guadalajara and other surrounding areas. Some...

I live in Lower La Floresta. I have been living in this area for almost three years. I love it here so you aren't going to be getting an impartial view.  My heart is here. I looked up online the meaning of the word Floresta. It is a great site, www.SpanishDict.com.   They had three meanings for Floresta. 1. Forest, shrubbery, thicket.  2. A delightful, rural place. 3. A collection of fine things...