Approaching Thanksgiving & Beyond . . . via Journal Pages

These days illustrate a sort of "becoming acquainted and comfortable" in our new Mexico area. One must, of course, take trips and tours and wanderings thru many and various neighborhoods. Early on we toured the city of Lake Chapala. To me this felt much bigger, more "citified" than most of the village-like towns we'd seen before. The main street, wide with giant trees lining the median and all the government buildings standing tall, firm up next to the substantial church in the square was impressive. After our walk along the concrete walkway bordering the lake we passed by the church where a wedding was finalizing and I caught this sweet girl playing amongst the pigeons. But I also noticed the strong familial trio standing prideful and protective very nearby.

Another town we visited more frequently (and personally more to my tastes) was Ajijic. It was a long but do-able walk along the Boulevard (called the "Caraterra") but usually we chose to drive. We'd heard most expats closed up their doors and stayed home night but, we didn't pick up anything to feel fearful of. So we'd walk Cody most nights right along the arterial road heading to downtown Ajijic and one brave night, we heard the patron saint of Ajijic was being celebrated. And we braved the darkness of night to discover a lovely atmosphere there. Wandering to the square, where the streets were blocked off to set up the children's carnival rides and street vendors for the adults, the wall murals and magically lite streets were compelling. We viewed the early preparations and then stopped at our favorite coffee shop, listening to mass being held just across the street. We learned the Ajijic streets were fascinating, safe (well, save for one wacky cowboy on horseback) and alluring ~ no more stayin' in once evening approached!

The adjacent image comes from our Thanksgiving celebration. When we'd discovered La Nueva Posada, an old historic hotel/restaurant for a previous lunch, we saw advertised their traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. We had no particular plans, so got reservations. The lovely part of Mexico is that they allow dogs to accompany you dining, usually out on the patio. Well, look at the divine patio area ~ lounging under a huge rubber tree with a view of the lake before us. And we have to add ~ that the turkey was THE very best we've ever had from a restaurant!!

We took walks before our Thanksgiving dinner and again after (of necessity!) and eventually settled back home at the RV. We'd both written out "gratitude lists" to share with one another (that's whats in the envelope showing off the hand made table placard) and nestled in to read them aloud. Smiles and laughter came with some of the entries . . . but, the overview? How VERY much we have to be grateful for. Humbly we turn . . . to the next journal page . . .