Back in Ajijic For the Winter

Hello Everyone,
It has been a week since our arrival back to our beloved mountain village in Mexico. It is still a magical place for us. We love it. Some changes, progress some would call it but we are not impressed by Wall Mart coming to this small place. However, because these Mexicans don't have a lot of money at any given time (I'm sure they don't have a lot of money at ANY time) their custom is to shop daily for their needs. Perhaps Wall mart will be disappointed with the carts not filled to the top! Anyway, they are happy about it's arrival and so we should respect that.....they feel it will bring employment and I'm sure it will.

We love our new digs. It is not very Mexican however. This condo could be anywhere. But we have an on site manager, the builder's daughter, and she lives here too. That means that problems get looked after very quickly and efficiently. i.e. there were two TV s here and we only wanted one. (NO TV in Bedrooms is our rule, for ourselves.) So it took only a day and the unwanted set was removed, a technician came and connected up the DVD player and showed us how to use all the remotes. We have CBC and I'm thrilled I can go to bed every night with Peter Mansbridge! (Ya know what I mean......it is such a lovely link with home.....)

The condo has white marble floors everywhere. We have a downstairs terrace with fountain and roll down shades which protects us from the hot sun. Upstairs off the den and bedroom we have another fully screened in terrace with a view of the mountains and lake. The sunsets are spectacular! This is usually where we have "cocktail time" around 5PM . The other good thing about this place is the quiet. We were in the middle of the village last year and the bloody roosters crow all hours of the day and night! We do hear one here but he seems to have his internal clock in sync with the dawning light. What a treat as last year they drove me nuts!! The bird life is not great yet but we think it is because they are on their migration here. Hope so. We are about a five minute walk from the center of the village and so this location is perfect. We are not so near the lake this year but then we are rewarded with a fabulous view of it! All in all we are very happy with the place. The furnishings are all white too so my challenge is to bring some colour in. I will begin with flowers. Fresh and paper. See how that works.

Arriving on our tails last Saturday were four ladies from our Halifax brunch Club. They have rented a villa in the village and are putting up quite well with the dogs, roosters and traffic noise! They seem to be having a lovely time and we are glad they are here. Our friends, Barb and Wally who bought a house two days after their arrival last year, are being the perfect hosts. yesterday, we all trecked off to Chapala, a large town about 10km. away. barb drove the car and Jack, Wally and I took the bus. The Art Show and Sale was wonderful and we all got a treasure of two. Then we walked out to the pier and had Margaritas (our first since arrival) and dinner. 'Twas such fun. They are good sports and want to see everything. A real adventurous group!

I arrived from Halifax with a cold I contracted on the way down , or more likely from Jack. Anyway, I steadily became sicker so went to my doctor who gave me a shot in the you-know-where and prescribed some meds (not antibiotics, he said) and I was better in two days! Just like magic! So I'm back on track now and raring to go!

Tomorrow we go to "Open Circle" a group of like minded individuals who meet on Sunday mornings to socialize first and then meditate for about 60secs. nothing heavy....and then we listen to a speaker who gives an interesting talk....or not. After, Jack and I have gone to brunch, as we would do in Halifax every Sunday. It's become a tradition for us. Last Sunday there was eight of us from the Brunch Bunch (from Halifax) as there will be tomorrow.

I am testing your patience dear reader going on like this so I shall end the Blog today. Jack made an entry days ago but we can't find it! My good friend Wes, in Vancouver will come to the rescue no doubt!
Mucho Amor,
Kate