Every year there is the Regatta de Globos, hot air balloons. It is held in the main soccer field on Revolution street in Ajijic. It is one of the most popular events of the year in Lake Chapala and is always held on the Saturday before Independence day (Sept. 16.).  The Globos are made weeks in advance by various groups of volunteers. Some of them are sponsored by local churches. Some are sponsored by...

The month of September is one of the busiest months of the year here. The Mexican Independence is celebrated for several days, starting on September 15th. There will be a parade in Chapala and one in Ajijic and parties in restaurants and the plazas. There will be the Globos celebration on the eighth of September. That is where they launch huge balloons made out of paper mache. I will cover it next week....

The rainy season at the Lakeside is my favorite time of the year. It is also the low season. There is still plenty of activity here then but the streets and restaurants are less crowded. The rainy season usually starts in June and lasts through September or sometimes even October. Clouds Over Lake Chapala...

Buying a Car in Lake Chapala or Guadalajara. You have decided on a new or used vehicle to use Lakeside. Where can you go? How expensive will it be? How different are the laws about registration, insurance, etc.? Even within Canada or the US, different states have different requirements, especially for insuring a vehicle. It is the same way in Mexico, and it helps to buy from someone who is bilingual, has...

Finding the right Dentists and Dental Care Lakeside The following are listed within community, then alphabetically by Mexican last name. For example, first in the list is Dr. J. Manuel Ayala Candelas – Ayala is the last name; Candelas is his mother’s last name. Mexicans carry both parents’ last names but go by the father’s, in the example, Ayala. All of these listed speak English. Mexican...

This year's Can Am Celebration was a huge success. It is held every year on the Lake Chapala Society grounds. It is to honor Canada Day and American's Fourth of July. This year it was on the second of July, which was last Monday, from noon to after four in the afternoon. I was there at the opening of the gate and stayed until the end. There was too much to see and do. I didn't want to miss anything.  I...

The Senior Expo was held at the Real de Chapala Hotel on June 8th through June 9th, in Ajijic, Jalisco. It started at nine in the morning and lasted until seven thirty in the evening on both days. There were lectures going on all day in the inside meeting room and at the same time there was entertainment on the outdoor stage. They had many drawings. I saw one man win a five night, six day trip to an all...

Prescription Medicine and Pharmacies in Mexico Buying prescription medication in Mexico, especially in a small town such as Ajijic or Lake Chapala is a little different from buying it in the United States or Canada.  There are many pharmacies (farmacias) in Mexico. There are small “mom & pop” size pharmacies and large “chain” pharmacies. One of the more difficult adjustments is learning your...

You may have read some of the articles I have written for Access under my middle name, Evelyn. I try to keep a low profile and focused on the information in the posts but this time I decided to write a little about myself. I also take the photographs for the articles. I have had a lot of fun over the nineteen months since I started with this wonderful group. I also spend time doing house sitting. I love to...

Local Clinics and Doctors in the Lakeside area Medical care in Mexico is one of the highest concerns for people who consider moving to Mexico. Many people harbor antiquated opinions of inadequate medical care when, in fact, Mexico has excellent care. In 2010, Newsweek conducted a study of the World’s Best Countries. Overall, Canada was ranked #7, United States #11, and Mexico #14 in Health Care. The...