AGAIN, we had planned to go to the Peacock Garden in Ajijic, but we changed our minds. Wow, am I GLAD WE DID! On the way to pick up our friends, we notice La Cima (The Top) Restaurant way up on a hill. We looked at reviews and decided that the views would be worth the added expense. It took us several minutes driving time down "La Carretera." On arrival, we were concerned that the Honda Fit we were driving would not make it up the hill with four of us, but no problem. We were among the first arrivals at the 1:00 pm opening time. Since our friend, George was departing in a couple of days, we decided to party down. We started with a Modelo, two margaritas, and a Coke Light for our designated ... read more

So, I had to come to MEXICO to have some of the best Italian food I have even eaten? Now this place does not look like much from the outside, but it is what is inside that counts. We started with a couple of glasses of red wine and a bruschetta appetizer. We were told by friends to ask for it on pizza dough, but I am a hard-headed traditionalist, so we got it like it comes. OH MY GOD! Large chunks of bread piled high with goodies. We stuffed ourselves on that before our food came. One order is enough for like six people. I have never seen anything even remotely resembling this in the US. We followed up with a three combination pasta and lasagna dish, again, way too much food, so we decided ... read more

Birria - it has nothing to do with beer. But it does have a nice ring to it: BEERRRR ee ya. Trill those R's. Birria is a sort of stewy dish made traditionally from goat. We have a strong suspicion that those gringos who turn up their noses at the very mention of it: (A) have never tried it, AND (B) do so simply because of the idea of eating a trash-consuming goat. Well to that, I say 'baaaaaaaaa." We got an invitation from our friends, the Reids, who we will be replacing at a house sit in Jocotepec. They have their own bolg https://reidsontheroad2018.wordpress.com/. So off we go walking to El Tartamudo Birria Restaurant. Mexicans are fond of nicknames (sobrenombres). If you are fat or skinny, you will be called Flaco or Gordo, and it ... read more

I think we both had a case of cabin fever. We have been couped up for a couple of days avoiding the crowds of Tapatios (people from Guadalajara). We like to be out and about, and my plan for this trip was to eat at least one meal out per day. That is mainly to keep Rose happy and to prevent a mutiny. We had invited the cleaning gal and her family to use the pool today, and after they got in and expressed their exuberation, (I think we had like 6 or 7 teenage boys here) we thought it might be a good time to go down the hill and get some food. Man, would I like to have some of those kid's energy! So, we made our third trip to Tony's Campestre. First trip ... read more

In the United States, we tend to see certain types of Mexicans. The honest truth is, to most US citizens, anyone who speaks Spanish is a "Mexican." Thankfully, anyone with at least half a brain knows that not to be true. We are getting the full immersion experience here in Lake Chapala. Both Rose and I speak Spanish, and I note that I am getting a lot more comfortable using the language. Many of the gringos here never bother to learn anything more than "buenos dias" or "gracias." They really don't have to since this is a place with a huge expat community and most of the folks in the service industry can speak passable English. I love seeing their faces light up when we respond to them in Spanish they can actually understand. But let's ... read more