It is my turn to bore you with our ongoing adventures of life here in Mexico !
We have kept reasonably well since arriving here in November, although last week I was kept awake one night with a toothache,so next morning I made a visit to one of the local dentists who took an x-ray of the tooth in question and informed me that I had previously had had a root canal performed on that tooth many years ago,and which was now absessed at its base.
The dentist started to drill out the old filling ,but had to stop because the filling used at that time many years ago was metal and I would have to see a specialist who had the proper equipment to remove this and let it drain and clean out before filling it again. I met with the specialist who assured me that she would remove it using laser, meanwhile ,I was given a supply of antibiotics to be taken for the next five days.........I hate the thought of dentists !
I had a bad experience last week, I play bridge every Monday afternoon with my partner Wally,
there are usually 10 or 12 tables at play and half way through one of the gents just slumped in his chair and died on the spot....it was very upsetting to say the least.
Tomorrow morning, Sunday which will be the first of February, we will attend open circle followed by brunch at one of our many favorite restaurants, and for the rest of the after noon we will play bridge, and booze it up with a couple of our other good friends who also hail from Halifax, and then we will go out for dinner and booze it up some more...what a life!
Jack
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Jack's Latest Artwork.
I am trying to work with the pictures I've downloaded from my camera. You see a couple of weeks ago I lost my camera. I was heartbroken. I figured I was not to capture anymore images of Mexico, since our camera was stolen last year! So it was quite a shock when Jack gave me an early birthday present.....and it was a new Sony camera identical to the old one! He and Maggie conspired and she brought this one with her from Halifax. I am so touched that Jack did this. I don't deserve another camera.....but I promise to take extra special care of this one!!We were thrilled when Maggie announced she was coming for a week's visit. Brian couldn't get away as he was planning a huge conference. But Maggie brought a virus with her and was ill almost the whole week. So disappointing for all of us. Anyway, she is a trooper and we did have fun anyway. She left yesterday and we miss her so.....
As you can see from these pictures Jack is continuing to improve with his art work. These are Pastels. He is fascinated with faces isn't he??
It is hard to believe half our stay is over. We have three more months here. We miss our Halifax friends and I particularly miss my 98 year old Dad. But we don't miss the cold winter in Canada. Even Vancouver, where Jacquie and Mars live has been cold. My pal, Doreen who lives in Richmond, B.C. is looking forward to going to the beach in Mexico in a couple of weeks. Usually winters in B.C. are mild....but not this year. We had a couple of cold nights here but it is Spring now. Our nights are down to about 10C and the days warm up to 25C so it is quite pleasant.
We are off to a couple of concerts this month. On Tuesday we will see and hear a Duo playing Latin-American music for two guitars. They will do "Four Seasons" by the great Argentine composer Astor Piazolla and a new arrangement for two guitars of Bizet's "Carmen Suite". We have season tickets with Barb and Wally so we will have dinner out first, no doubt, and then go to the concert. Always a pleasant evening.....
On Monday Sonia Breeze, from Dartmouth arrives and then a few days later Madeline, from Halifax and Carol from Toronto arrive. So a busy social scene is about to begin!!
Hope I will be better at keeping up this Blog in the future. I don't want to be repetitious! I'll let Jack make the next entry. Until then we send you warm wishes from Ajijic, Mexico.
KATE AND JACK IN AJIJIC, MEXICO.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Concert....
Where does the time go? I dunno. But the winter is flying by. I know the winter "up north" is c-c-o-l-d so I won't go on about the rain we had late yesterday afternoon and through this is the first time we have seen rain here! Our wonderful friends, Wally and Barb came to our rescue so that we might attend a dinner party given by our other Nova Scotia friends, Kay and Paul Fraser from Kentville. They had invited us for dinner, which is only a 10 minute walk from our place but it was poring when it was time to go. We were unable to get any taxi company to answer their phones so Barb, Wally and Bijou(their darling dog) came to drive us. I mean.....are these wonderful friends....or what!!!
TODAY....another exciting day in Ajijic. Jack went off to his art class. I attended a lecture at LCS which was directed at new comers. How to avoid the pitfalls whether you are renting or buying. The moderator was a very funny Canadian lass who was as amusing as informative. There is such an interesting bunch of people here.....
Tomorrow, we have several folks getting together here first for cocktails and then we shall head next door for a program of music and magic, and gawd knows what....this is Jack's idea!! I'll report later.
We have tickets for several concerts this season and last Tuesday it was two Mexican Pianists of
Russian decent. I thought they were terrific. They preform in the U.S., Asia and Europe. One of my least favorite composers is Claude Debussy (1862-1918) but at their capable hands I even enjoyed this part of the program. After intermission they performed the suite from the ballet Icarus.....I love this. They obliged with two encores......all in all a very pleasant evening spent
with Barb and Wally.
It is easy to get caught up in the social scene here. It is more difficult to focus on the wonderful Mexicans with their sometimes bizarre customs. This month we are trying to find a balance. Jack promises to make an entry tomorrow.......We await our dear friend Maggie's visit next Thursday. A full report will follow!!!
kate.
TODAY....another exciting day in Ajijic. Jack went off to his art class. I attended a lecture at LCS which was directed at new comers. How to avoid the pitfalls whether you are renting or buying. The moderator was a very funny Canadian lass who was as amusing as informative. There is such an interesting bunch of people here.....
Tomorrow, we have several folks getting together here first for cocktails and then we shall head next door for a program of music and magic, and gawd knows what....this is Jack's idea!! I'll report later.
We have tickets for several concerts this season and last Tuesday it was two Mexican Pianists of
Russian decent. I thought they were terrific. They preform in the U.S., Asia and Europe. One of my least favorite composers is Claude Debussy (1862-1918) but at their capable hands I even enjoyed this part of the program. After intermission they performed the suite from the ballet Icarus.....I love this. They obliged with two encores......all in all a very pleasant evening spent
with Barb and Wally.
It is easy to get caught up in the social scene here. It is more difficult to focus on the wonderful Mexicans with their sometimes bizarre customs. This month we are trying to find a balance. Jack promises to make an entry tomorrow.......We await our dear friend Maggie's visit next Thursday. A full report will follow!!!
kate.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day in Ajijic, Mexico
Feliz Navidad from sunny Mexico.
A few days ago we helped the Pikes (a wonderful N.S.couple) give 22 kids a Posada (party) for Christmas. These are some of the kids we sponsor...the pix of the little girl with Jack and me is Daniella, the kid Meggie, our Grand daughter sponsors. (We do this instead of a Christmas present.....she agreed to this last year) Jack's daughter also sponsors a little boy but he was not able to come to this party.
The kids had a wonderful time. They played games, like musical chairs and balloons around their ankles.....ya know....kid stuff...but the favorite were the three pinatas. More about these later. We had the neighbourhood Mom's make Mexican rice, cole slaw and tortillas. Then we picked up b-b-que chickens and roasted potatoes. These are the BEST. Don't know what they do to the chickens here but ya know what? They taste like chicken. Like chicken used to taste when we were kids! Really. So after we fed 'em we sent them home with bags of gifts. All were happy. Especially us!
Now about those pinatas. I used to think they represented violence and greed....not what we want our children to learn. I was wrong. Here is the real deal:
The pinatas originated in China but travelled along to Europe and gained popularity in Spain just in time for the Spanish Franciscan missionaries to bring this simple clay jar to the new world (Mexico) . OK, OK enough of the history lesson!! But, here is what everything represents:
The clay jar represents Satan who often wears a disguise to attract us and to mask his intentions. Typical male!
The seven points of the star-shaped Christmas pinata represent the seven deadly sins.
The candy in the pinata"s inner clay " represents the pleasures Satan offers man to attract him to the underworld.
The blindfolded person represents blind faith, which is guided only by the voices of others to destroy evil.
The stick used to break the pinata is a symbol of Christian goodness.
The breaking of the pinata symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
The shower of candy and fruit is indicative of the unknown joys and rewards which the good and faithful will receive in heaven.
So there!!
Every home here has an seven sided pinata hanging outside their front door. The plaza is full of 'em too.
Since one pinata is never enough for any event, we had three at the Posada! The larger kids waited until the smallest kids had broken the first pinata. Next were the "middle kids" followed by the older children. There was no fighting. Just joy as each group had fun.
OK enough of pinatas.....more than you ever wanted to know huh?
last night we wandered over to the square and in the church yard there were many nativity scenes set up. This one was different though. Live people, mostly kids, babies and teens AND live animals. Sheep, goats. Really! This country continues to amaze me. The only thing funny about this was the "baby in the manger" was sucking on a pacifier! Don't think Jesus did that!
There is no Santa, so today is a family and religious holiday. Nice. The kids will receive gifts on January 5th. symbolizing the three wise men bringing gifts to the new born king.
Like nearly everything about life in Mexico, the traditions are very different from the caroling,yule logs, stockings hung by the chimney with care and the arrival of old St.Nick.
We have spent the day chatting with family and friends by Skype (VOIP) eating our meals outside, walking little Bijou , Jack doing his art on the terrace and now it is time to think about preparing Christmas dinner. Broiled salmon and tomatoes. Guacamole (which is served as a side dish here as well as a dip) and margaritas to begin. Fresh veggies bought at the street market yesterday along with fresh exotic flowers. (Birds of Paradise....3 for $2.00CAD...yeah really!)
So one set of traditions is not more right than the other-they are just different! What a joy to be able to experience both.
Feliz Navidad everyone. We miss you!
A few days ago we helped the Pikes (a wonderful N.S.couple) give 22 kids a Posada (party) for Christmas. These are some of the kids we sponsor...the pix of the little girl with Jack and me is Daniella, the kid Meggie, our Grand daughter sponsors. (We do this instead of a Christmas present.....she agreed to this last year) Jack's daughter also sponsors a little boy but he was not able to come to this party.
The kids had a wonderful time. They played games, like musical chairs and balloons around their ankles.....ya know....kid stuff...but the favorite were the three pinatas. More about these later. We had the neighbourhood Mom's make Mexican rice, cole slaw and tortillas. Then we picked up b-b-que chickens and roasted potatoes. These are the BEST. Don't know what they do to the chickens here but ya know what? They taste like chicken. Like chicken used to taste when we were kids! Really. So after we fed 'em we sent them home with bags of gifts. All were happy. Especially us!
Now about those pinatas. I used to think they represented violence and greed....not what we want our children to learn. I was wrong. Here is the real deal:
The pinatas originated in China but travelled along to Europe and gained popularity in Spain just in time for the Spanish Franciscan missionaries to bring this simple clay jar to the new world (Mexico) . OK, OK enough of the history lesson!! But, here is what everything represents:
The clay jar represents Satan who often wears a disguise to attract us and to mask his intentions. Typical male!
The seven points of the star-shaped Christmas pinata represent the seven deadly sins.
The candy in the pinata"s inner clay " represents the pleasures Satan offers man to attract him to the underworld.
The blindfolded person represents blind faith, which is guided only by the voices of others to destroy evil.
The stick used to break the pinata is a symbol of Christian goodness.
The breaking of the pinata symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
The shower of candy and fruit is indicative of the unknown joys and rewards which the good and faithful will receive in heaven.
So there!!
Every home here has an seven sided pinata hanging outside their front door. The plaza is full of 'em too.
Since one pinata is never enough for any event, we had three at the Posada! The larger kids waited until the smallest kids had broken the first pinata. Next were the "middle kids" followed by the older children. There was no fighting. Just joy as each group had fun.
OK enough of pinatas.....more than you ever wanted to know huh?
last night we wandered over to the square and in the church yard there were many nativity scenes set up. This one was different though. Live people, mostly kids, babies and teens AND live animals. Sheep, goats. Really! This country continues to amaze me. The only thing funny about this was the "baby in the manger" was sucking on a pacifier! Don't think Jesus did that!
There is no Santa, so today is a family and religious holiday. Nice. The kids will receive gifts on January 5th. symbolizing the three wise men bringing gifts to the new born king.
Like nearly everything about life in Mexico, the traditions are very different from the caroling,yule logs, stockings hung by the chimney with care and the arrival of old St.Nick.
We have spent the day chatting with family and friends by Skype (VOIP) eating our meals outside, walking little Bijou , Jack doing his art on the terrace and now it is time to think about preparing Christmas dinner. Broiled salmon and tomatoes. Guacamole (which is served as a side dish here as well as a dip) and margaritas to begin. Fresh veggies bought at the street market yesterday along with fresh exotic flowers. (Birds of Paradise....3 for $2.00CAD...yeah really!)
So one set of traditions is not more right than the other-they are just different! What a joy to be able to experience both.
Feliz Navidad everyone. We miss you!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Our Second Christmas in Ajijic, Mexico
It is our second Christmas here and everyday there is something to delight in. We are dog-sitting Barb and Wally's little Bijou and while I was out walking her in the neighbourhood last evening I came upon a delightful scene. As is the custom here,from 16-24December in every village there are daily processions led by little children dressed as "Mary and Joseph" on a donkey, looking for a place to stay the night. It takes place early evening (and this was around six o'clock) that I came upon this group, just one block away. After being refused at several stops, a prearranged spot invites the weary travelers in and then it is PARTY TIME. But first the group sings several Mexican Christmas carols before the door opens. I stood with Bijou for quite a long time before the door opened. They sang at least six carols. Then they all piled into this house where there were pinatas and treats for everyone. Apparently, the traditional foods for this include a fruit punch and bunuelos,thin dough disks fried until crispy and then topped with sticky syrup or cinnamon and sugar. It was delightful to see this simple ceremony. I think Bijou enjoyed it also!
We miss our family and friends so much at this time of the season. There is very little of the commercial aspect of Christmas here although Christmas trees are gaining popularity across Mexico. However, the focus here is on family values and simple joys. The gathering of friends around bonfires in the cobblestone streets for music and dancing is a delight to come upon. I just love it! They cook tortillas and drink tequila and enjoy one another. So different from our frantic rounds of elaborate decorating, shopping, cooking and gift giving. Life here stirs up memories of our own childhood family celebrations and a time when life was simpler.These people live in the moment and celebrate the joy of being together. And that is more than enough.
This afternoon we are giving the children we sponsor, for school, a Christmas party. So I will report tomorrow on that!
Remember everyone.....KEEP IT SIMPLE AND ENJOY ONE ANOTHER TODAY!!
Kate
We miss our family and friends so much at this time of the season. There is very little of the commercial aspect of Christmas here although Christmas trees are gaining popularity across Mexico. However, the focus here is on family values and simple joys. The gathering of friends around bonfires in the cobblestone streets for music and dancing is a delight to come upon. I just love it! They cook tortillas and drink tequila and enjoy one another. So different from our frantic rounds of elaborate decorating, shopping, cooking and gift giving. Life here stirs up memories of our own childhood family celebrations and a time when life was simpler.These people live in the moment and celebrate the joy of being together. And that is more than enough.
This afternoon we are giving the children we sponsor, for school, a Christmas party. So I will report tomorrow on that!
Remember everyone.....KEEP IT SIMPLE AND ENJOY ONE ANOTHER TODAY!!
Kate
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