Where is the Best Weather in the World? When I started writing today, it was raining. Now the sun is shining so brightly that I pulled the new draperies closed. This is summer in Mexico, rainy season in the sierra. Lake Chapala and it’s near by towns such as Ajijic are often said to have the best weather in the world, second to Kenya Africa, which is considered to by the best climate in the world ....

Every year the Lake Chapala Society puts on an art and craft fair in their back garden area. This year it was on Saturday, November 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  I went when the gate opened and stayed until almost the end. It was well attended and there were so many interesting things to see that I kept on hanging out. I ran into many friends. I ate some delicious food. It was great fun. Entrance...

The Day of the Dead is one of the biggest holidays in Mexico, especially in Ajijic and Chapala. It lasts for several days with lots of firecrackers going off day and night, parties, food, parades, and decorations. It is a time when Mexican families get together and communicate with their deceased loved ones. The cemeteries are cleaned up. Each family takes on the responsibility of sweeping and cleaning the...

September 16th, Mexican Independence Day is one of the biggest holidays of the year here. The festivities started a few days before the 16th.  There was so much going on that it was impossible to see it all. Little Girl with Confetti in Her Hair There were festivities at the plaza, parades, and celebrations in the local restaurants, horse events, the shawl parade, private parties and many more...

Mazamitla is a mountain town about an hour and a half outside of Jocotepec . It is approximately 77 miles from Guadalajara in the Southeast region of the state. It is about the same distance as Sayula except further east. The scenery on the way is beautiful in the rainy season. Everything was green. Wild flowers were in the fields. The sky was blue with billowy white clouds. Church in...

Barbara’s Bazaar is a fascinating store. It is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. The owner, Tom Thompson, said that is what happens on most Sunday afternoons when the people from Guadalajara arrive for a weekend of fun. It is his busiest day. Front of Barbara's Bazaar Tom bought Barbara’s Bazaar in 1993 from Barbara Weston. She opened it in 1985 a few doors down from where...

There are many interesting places to visit around the Lakeside area. Some of them are close enough for a day trip and others require an overnight stay in order to have enough time to see everything that is of interest. Along the Road to Sayula Sayula is approximately sixty miles south of Ajijic. It can easily be reached by car in about an hour and a half. You can go by bus but you have to go to...

One of the facts of life is growing old. Today people are living longer and in general in good health. There does come a time however that some people can no longer take care of themselves. At that point, who can help with the day to day challenges that face us? I moved from Canada to Mexico several years ago and the attitudes towards the elderly are somewhat different here than what you may find in...

The open markets are called Tianguis in Spanish. They are not to be missed. The best word I can think of to describe the market is ABUNDANCE.  There is an abundance of everything, including people. The Chapala market is not hard to find. It is at the top of the main street in Chapala, across the street from the Pemex gas station. Entrance to the Market You can easily catch a bus, either the large...

The American Legion is the central meeting place for expats in Chapala, just as the Lake Chapala Society is the center for the expats in Ajijic.  Everyone is welcome at the Legion. You don’t have to be a member to participate in the events, to eat in the restaurant or to have drinks in the bar. Entrance to the American Legion Their address is: American Legion Post 7, Calle Morelos 144, Chapala,...