Saturday - No school.
Jill led a field trip to Lake Chapala and Ajijic. Jo, Ellie, Kent, and I joined Jill and our driver, Miguel. It was a forty five minute drive to Mexico's largest lake. They have a lovely Malecon (waterfront walk way). We boarded our own boat with a canopy to shade us from the strong rays of the sun. It was cooler out on the water as we cruised along the shoreline. I was surprised to observe a flock of white pelicans and egrets roosting off shore. Jacaranda trees are in full bloom during March. Their purple blossoms on wide spreading branches gave color to the landscape.
After many years of low water, Lake Chapala is very full. Jill credited this to a large amount of rain and also ecological efforts that are being practiced to clean up the lake. The lake certainly is an attraction for the tourists Many Canadians and people from the United States have retired to Chapala and Ajijic. I took a twenty minute walk around Chapala stopping at the market and church. While the waterfront is nice....there is nothing else that would attract me to this town.
Next stop was Ajijic. This is the town where my parents were to settle if they had moved to Mexico in 1959. I could live there.....but, do not think that I would choose to do so. It is a lively town with plazas, pedestrian walkways, many restaurants, shops and community art center. Buildings were painted in the bright "Mexican" colors, that I love. There was time to walk down to the waterfront, visit the church and art center. Sat in the plaza and enjoyed a Nuez Helado.... ice cream cone. After almost a week of no sweets, I have had ice cream for two days in a row. The Arts Center had an exhibit of paintings that I appreciated because of their strong primary colors. I took a prize winning photo at the church entrance - of Jill and Ellie standing in the doorway with a perfect reflection on the highly glossed floor.
Miguel drove us further along the lake to San Juan Cosala with its upscale hotel and spa - Monte Coxala - Spa de Altura. http://www.montecoxala.com/ It is a place to enjoy the thermal baths, spa treatments, yoga and tennis. The resort is beautifully landscaped with recreated Mayan figures constructed to look like ruins. We sat on the upper level of the open air, thatched roof restaurant and had a drink while looking out over Lake Chapala.
This was a great day trip (6 1/2 hours total) from Tlaquepaque. So glad that we went with Jill and Miguel. Miguel is an excellent driver and Jill was informative and it was nice to spend the day with her.
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Other thoughts and observations from my Cinco de Mayo apartment -
No more rooster crowing. Did he end up in a soup pot???
Heard a train last night and early this morning. Jill said that it was for freight, not passenger service.
Asked Jill about the "Rainy Season". From May through August, it rains mainly at night...and for a couple of hours during the day. You have to be wise when walking through the city as streets become flooded. Wear rubber boots and carry TWO umbrellas. One umbrella is held over your head and the second is placed at an angle by your legs. This is your defense against cars that splash when passing you.
Church bells ring in every hour. Sometimes there is also a carillon.
Every day, trucks drive up and down the streets with their loud speaker system playing a recorded melody "Presta, Presta, Presta Gaz" If you need a new tank of propane, you hear the delivery truck coming from blocks away and have time to run out to stop the driver. And if you miss him.....dont worry...he will be around again and again and again......Presta, Presta, Presta Gaz. I sing this tune in my sleep.
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Dinner at a mariscos (seafood) restaurant block from Parian. Margarita, Shrimp with Butter and Garlic, rice, fresh vegetables, and salad for the equivalent of $10 US. Jo and I walked after dinner before returning to our apartments.
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Hello!
ReplyDeleteJijic sounded nice the way u described it -- why wouldn't u live there? I'm sure its changed since your parents liked it in 1959!!! LOL!
It's good that u've tried the local food and have described it. The corn concoction sounded like it definitely was too much starch and fat (not that that's a bad thing -- especially if chocolate was involved!!!). The shrimp and cactus would've been good if it was as u remembered eating it before. Oh well, u win some u lose some -- its not taking the chance -- why eat food u r used to when u r there to try local food. I can envision everything you've written. I'm trying to figure out how to print it as there r so many good recommendations. Do u feel safe there? R there a lot of americans there now? Glad to know when the rainy season is as that wouldn't be a good time to go.
Sounds like u r enjoying it! I hope u r enjoying your apartment?!?!
Deb