Barb & Wally

    Kate and Jack are wonderful hosts. We have had a great time, but a bit hectic. Their house is really special; it reminds me a bit of a mini Venetian palace. There is a curved stone staircase to the second floor. The atrium which is open for 2 stories and serves as a dining room, has a vaulted brick ceiling and a copula. The inside walls are about 10 feet high. It is in fact quite grand.

    We fell in love with Ajijic almost immediately. Then after talking to a number of ex-pat Canadians who live there (they are very enthusiastic about their experiences), we started to think about going there too. Initially, we were just thinking about an extended visit next winter. However, as we looked around, soaked up the atmosphere and started looking at houses, we changed our approach to one of actually moving to Ajijic. As you have been informed by Jack on the blog, we took the bull by the horns and pulled the trigger (I’m not sure that those two sayings are appropriate together but you probably get the picture). We are buying a lovely house. Barbara did feel better with more energy in that high, warm, dry climate. However, I think that an even bigger consideration for us was that if we were ever going to do something different, this was the time to do it. Although there is an extensive ex-pat community, many of them do try to interact with the Mexican population and contribute. The Mexicans we met on the street were always friendly. This will be an enormous change in lifestyle for us, but we are looking forward to it. On the other hand, I think that I shall be able to continue to offer my courses over the internet from Ajijic.

SURPRISE !!!!!

We were up at 5.30 this morning to send Barb. and Wally, off home to Canada after spending one week with us. And what a week it was, after reading our blog ,Wally wanted to come to Mexico to see if it was as good here as it sounded. Barbara was reluctant to come, after hearing so many negative remarks about Mexico, but she came anyway to keep Wally company! After being here only a couple of days they were both surprised at how much they loved the place, the people and the food, also how they felt healthwise.
So to cut a long story short, they got hold of a real estate agent, looked at six houses for sale and bought one of them, a beautiful home indeed in a nice area.
We were totally amazed, but the decision was given a lot of thought and consideration. Now they are on their way home to face their families, sell their house and belongings, pack up their car with stuff, and drive back down here in the next three or four months to live here permanently.
This is not an unusual scenario, Kate and I have spoken with dozens of people who have done likewise.
We have asked Wally to add his remarks to our blog ,once he is settled at home.
Jack.

At The Beach

Last week we felt like walking on the beach and smelling the scent of salt water again. So off we went on a five hour bus ride to Rancon de Guayabitos, about 50 miles north of Puerto Valluerta The weather was about the same as here but the salt water was too cool for swimming, as were the pools. So that was disappointing, but we enjoyed walking on the beautiful gold sand beach that went on for miles.(Like Florida beaches) The town was a little dirty, tourist trap....no charm not like our beloved Ajijic. Anyway, we drank silly rum drinks, ate lots of fish and were ready to come back at the end of the week. The one awful thing for me was the return of my migraine headaches. They stared as soon as I arrived and plagued me for the whole time. Twas too bad as we we were in an "all inclusive" resort and I could have been drunk the whole week!! I was hoping this was the end of my life with migraines but apparently not. I should live in the mountains I guess.....

We are off to play bridge for the afternoon. I`m a little nervous as these people are SERIOUS players. Scary huh?

On Wed. out pals from the Halifax Brunch Club, Barb and Wally arrive for a week`s visit. They need a break from winter no doubt and we are looking forward to their visit. I`ll see if I can "persuade" one of èm to make a blog entry!

Spring has sprung here which means new flowers and trees are in bloom. There are no more cool mornings and evenings. Just pleasant all the time. We will miss this climate.

So, ta ta for now. Until next time we send you warm wishes and wish it could be warm sunshine! Adios mis amigas/amigos........Kate

We wuz robbed !

After spending a wonderful week with our near and dear friends ,Brian and Maggie,the time was getting close for them to pack up and head home, and face the challenges that the young and the poor must do. "go back to work" plus don those awful winter clothes again, and try to keep warm! ( I remember it well ).
On their last night with us we went out to a local restaurant and wined and dined under the stars. Actually it was Brian and Maggies treat to us as an early birthday present, Kate and I are both in March. It was a lovely evening, we walked there and back and since they had a cab booked for 7 am. we decided to have an early night and were all in bed by 10pm.
I got up at 6am. in order to make them tea and toast to get them going and at 6.30 am. I went upstairs to find that we had been robbed as we slept. All this happened outside of our bedroom door which is left wide open, the strange thing is that I am up almost every hour to the bathroom, especially after a night of drinking ! Kate said if they had seen me walking naked to the bathroom it would have scared the hell out of them ! Fortunately no one was hurt and I think they must have been disturbed because all the took was our lap top computer, a digital camera, an electronic organizer and battery charger, if they had reached in to my open bedroom door they could have picked up my pants with my wallet, cash and credit cards.
When the cab driver arrived at 7am. we got him to phone the police for us, the police arrived an hour later and took a statement from us, they were not interested in taking pictures and fingerprints and informed us that we habe to go into the next town to make a formal statement.
later on around lunch time two more policemen showed up and duplicated what we went through with the first two. However we went into the next town with an interpreter to speak for us, this was around 2.30 pm. and we were told to come back tomorrow as it was siesta time and they were about to close for a couple of hours. So next morning at 9am. we set of again with 5 copies of our passports and did the report ,we were also informed that they wanted photos of the windows where they entered and cut the screen, our interpreter, who works for our rental agency, said that he would get a camera and take the pictures and return them that day. we were also told to come back on Monday for a copy of the report to give to the insurance company.
Only in Mexico!
However, Kate and I are off to the beach in Porto Vallarta on Moday for a well earned 5 day vacation.........Till next time.
Jack

Brian & Maggie is Ajijic

BRIAN AND MAGGIE IN AJIJIC MEXICO
This is day 6 of our 8 day visit with Jack & kate and we'er still in awe of the place, the climate and the people! Every morning is like the best June mornings we have at home; coolish but bright and sunny and without any biting insects. The Canadian ex-pat community is very open and welcoming and the locals are all polite and friendly. Locals are largely labourers and masons who seem to hold to values of the 1950's. Except on the weekends when the Guadalaharan's arrive to party by the lake and fill up the bars. Typical middle-class folks.

And for me (Brian) the bird life is phenominal; many dozens of species of which we have identified 36 so far of which 23 are new siteings for me. Even counted one wild parrot among them. All seen within three blocks of J&K's place! I could spend weeks here and still not get bored.

Now that our feet have gotten used to the cobblestone streets we have been wandering about through the evenings and really enjoying the place. Typical Spanish style town; 99% of the beauty hidden away within walls running out to the sidewalks. Though no one (yet) seems to mind us peeking into their doorways.

Yesterday PM Maggie talked me into taking in the local Mexican rodeo and we had a ball. Turns out the rodeo is managed just like the country; somewhat organized chaos. 8 or 10 cowboys in the old bullfighting ring showing off their horses, 12 or 18 local young hombres strutting their stuff then suddently a bull & rider are released among them. All is rediculous for about 5 minutes while one guy attempts to ride and all the cowboys try to rope the bull?? Lots of laughs and shared drinks of tequila-lime-salt from the locals ( I figure the alcohol would outdo the potential bac-t. We'll see.).

Restaurants are fabulous, some even a match for Jack's cooking. And the prices are amazingly low. Hardly worth cooking at home.

I think that's all for now. Only two more days to enjoy paradise then back to the reality of home.

Brian