Blogs from Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, North America - page 5

December 24 We began our Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve in true Mexican style. Jorge put up a large awning in our courtyard and ordered tables and chairs. Everyone was invited; residents, family and friends. His aunt made a huge pot of posole which is the traditional Mexican meal for Christmas Eve. We all brought something to share however, the posole, (pork stew or soup) with the huge Mexican corn kernels was so filling that we really didn’t need the additional side dishes. Our weather was not the best, but considering the ice storm that had left many people in the dark in Canada and the major flooding that was underway in the Caribbean, we were in very good shape. It had rained for a few minutes earlier in the day and then turned quite chilly ... read more

December 15, 2013 We have comfortably settled into a routine here in Ajijic. Mondays are market day in San Antonio. I have learned that what I refer to as a market on Mondays is truly a market. In Mexican terms, a market is held in the same place, same time, same vendors and it is under a roof or indoors. What I refer to as a Market on Wednesdays is actually called a Tienda. A Tienda is comprised of vendors and artists that travel from town to town setting up their stands in the open or under canvas tarps. We attend both now each week. It has become a social event where we purchase a few items and meet with friends. Everyone is normally home in the afternoon, so normally our all meet for happy hour ... read more

I can’t believe that we have already been in Mexico one full month. The time is flying quickly. We went to the Wednesday market which has now become a weekly routine. The fruits and vegetables are always very fresh and less expensive then the grocery store. This week, I also purchased some chicken from one of the venders as it was highly recommended by a friend. After the market we stopped at Walmart and picked up a few things, the most important being lights for the Christmas tree. At happy hour today we learned that Jorge has changed his mind about the tree we cut down the other day. He is going to use it for a large nativity scene he will set up but he wants to find a more Canadian style tree for Christmas. ... read more

Today we were really up early. We had to be at a pick up location at 7:45am for a day trip we had booked to the Teuchitlán Pyramids. Rosy, our tour guide arrived on time and we were nicely surprised to learn that we were a group of only 5 people and would travel in a very nice van rather than a bus. The drive to Teuchitlán is about 1 ½ hours but we made a stop on the way at a little dairy farm. Here Rosy introduced us to Leche Caliente (Hot Milk). In her words, this is the Mexican equivalent to morning coffee at Starbucks. There is a table set up where you take a cup, add some cocoa and sugar, a little instant coffee and some alcohol if you wish. It was not ... read more

Toronto had its Santa Claus Parade yesterday and in Chapala, today, we had a parade to celebrate the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. The Mexican Revolution lasted a decade ending 30 years of dictatorship on November 20, 1920. The Revolution parade is all for the children. Many of the children dress up to represent the soldiers who fought during the revolution but others dress in school and after school outfits. Some even perform during the parade (boxing, gymnastics etc.). We had a very difficult time getting to Chapala in the morning. Had we realized, we could have walked or taken a taxi but we had no idea that there would be fewer buses due to the holiday and that every bus would be packed to the doors with parade goers and unable to even stop for ... read more