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 . . .

Journaling, Yes, Journaling!!

Yipppppppppppie . . . I've nearly caught up my journal from the Mexico trip. Sorry, but if you were following that trip with just my journal entries, I believe I left you up somewhere in the mountains above Guadalajara. Hope you've stayed warm all these winter nights, but now . . . I'll begin to bring you at least up to the present.

These pages are from November 17, 2010. The upper left image was a lovely memory of a day trip we took to the west end of Lake Chapala,

where a supposedly large RV campground named "Roca Azul" was located. We'd considered staying at this location when we were "interviewing" places in the area. But as we drove into the development - we were more and more grateful we landed where we landed. The property was a big development with a housing area first before you reached the RV area, which huddled up against the lake. Decent houses, but so many were run down and/or vacant that it just didn't make up for the nicely kept ones. Once we reached the RV grounds, we were impressed with the "potential" that was originally there, lovely community rooms, restaurants, volleyball courts, swimming pools and picturesque grounds. But with lack of occupancy left an eerie feeling to this attractive area. The sketch I chose here, was a charming walk way leading around the lake with cool turquoise wrought iron benches gazing at a concrete peer and it's lookout tower. We were entertained by grey herons and egrets aplenty. We left with almost a sadness that this place hadn't "taken off", it had such a marvelous location and grounds.

My next entry was one of total respect. These are replications of the Ajijic artist, Efren Gonzales, whom I stumbled upon early in our Lake Chapala stay. We parked in front of his Art Center and, of course, went in. Amiable, personable, warm and talented, we talked about art, his philosophies and he handed me this "business card" which he wrote out on a scrap of matte board. Later, my mind had an idea of getting Efren up to Oregon to instruct at the Ashland Art Center. So, that is in the works now. And, as I sketched these portions from his works, I just became more impressed with the underlying skill and development therein. Then, the more conversations I had with this gentleman, the more I admired him. Not only is his artwork captivating, but the way he leads his life is such that I want every artist, every person to hear it. He talks about following his talents and his inner direction despite outer influences. His soft confidence that what he needs will be provided fulfills spiritual teachings I yearn to emulate. The one quote from his mother which he lives by, that so touched me is scribbled down and stuck on my journal page, "Life should be indebted to me because of all I give"! How many of us are living with that thought? So here is my humble tribute to Efren Gonzales.

The final entry was from the lovely garden at the La Nueva Posada Hotel and Restaurant. Nestled in the heart of downtown Ajijic, this historic and charming hotel was the lunch meeting place. It was one of the serendipitous event on this trip . . . a dear friend who moved from the Bay Area of California about the same time I did, ended up traveling to Lake Chapala at the very same time Roland and I were going. So, naturally, we met for lunch. The patio of this hotel is fronted by the shimmering Lake Chapala and sprinkled with sculpture and gardens. For hours we sat and shared Mexico experiences and just caught up on life with this gracious statue peering over our table. Just another day in paradise . . .

Stay tuned for more of my journal entries . . .

The Village of Ajijic

The town we are most near is Ajijic. As we leave our street and turn left on the Carrretera (main road around the lake), after we pass the Walmart, the "Boulevard" begins. Adjacent to both sides of the regular road are lush, huge trees lining each side and then a smaller cobblestone street that runs in front of the residences. We often walk there on our evening walks and there IS an ice cream shop that lures Roland that way too.

Once you come to the end of the "Boulevard" you are spit out right into the bustle of downtown Ajijic. There is a large church, of course, in the Centro where there's a large square with a gazebo. On every Wednesday, there is a large market partially along the "Boulevard". As you wonder the tiny side streets, every corner opens to a colorful new block and there's fascinating architecture at every turn. There's even tropic forest-like nursery's sprinkled in hidden places. I mean, look at the size of this stagehorn fern!!

We've even grown feeling safe enough to check out celebrations at night in Ajijic. Recently there was a celebration for St. Andrews, the patron saint of fishermen, alcoholics and Ajijic! Just my kind of people! So we decided to wander down ... the evening was lovely. What we found was that the entire town Centro was blocked off, setting up carnival rides for the wee ones and eating, art and gift vendors for the adults. We discovered a "Cultural Center" where we went in to view the art. T'was a variety of media ... some I was impressed with and also saw one oil from a local artist I'd met already (Efren Gonzales, who is more mentioned later in this post). The lovely interior mural which goes high up the wall are the walls to the bathrooms. Imagine "the bathrooms"!!!!Art seems to just pop up everywhere!! Which reeeeeeeeaally makes my lil heart sing! We took a seat at our favorite coffee shop across from the Centro church where Mass was taking place and then, watched the locals go fill the streets with celebration. One fellow on a horse just trotted up the street past us!


We'd heard this festive occassion was just a prelude to the upcoming 9 days commerating the Revolution and Independence. Since we aren't real partiers, we did hear that celebration from our home spot about a mile away from downtown. From before 6am and late into the night music, firecrackers, churchbells and, oh yes, the roosters were cheering on and on and on. Anyway, I digress ...

One of the first days we were in Ajijic, we parked and found we were right in front of Efran Gonzales Gallery and Studio. Of course, I went in. There he was working on a oil piece in the middle of the studio. Luckily, he spoke English well and we talked for some time. Not only were his oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolor pieces amazing - - but he'd just recently tried ceramic work too! On the middle of the floor was a maybe, 8 x 10 foot mural, that was to be installed into one of the Ajijic City buildings soon. What most impressed me with this gentleman, was that he said daily children came in and he instructs them. He talked about how his son had talent but didn't want to be an artist. Efran had told him he still needs to honor "his gift" and educate himself in the arts as he may need it. What a beautiful way to view our talents and how we need respect them. When I asked for a card, he wrote me out one on a scrap of matt board, saying "my wife does all the publicity stuff". As I walked the streets, I saw more and more work of Efran's everywhere. I'm showing you two of his public pieces. Pretty strong, eh?

The town of Ajijic feels most stimulating to me. Lots of art, great markets (did I tell you we found both an organic as well as regular?), amiable locals, and I've discovered one women's group that just feels like I've arrived "home". Next Monday, I'm testing out the local art club to see how that feels. So, I'm voting for Ajijic as my favorite part of this area - - so far. Now Roland, he seems to be attracted to the city of Chapala. But . . . that will have to be another blogpost.

More from this seekers vantage point soon . . . stay tuned!

Giving Thanks . . .

From where do I start? I guess the beginning of this special day would be appropriate, eh? A week previous, Ro and I'd met California friends here, a "La Nueva Posada" in Ajijic, for lunch, and we noticed the fliers for their Thanksgiving Dinner. They were serving an all traditional menu and we'd made our 2pm reservations that day.

So our morning was relaxed and quiet. I'd gotten an email from a fellow artist, one who is suffering with Stage 4 cancer and still sent out a lovely image of hands offering up food, with an attached note thanking those around her for their support and love. It brought me to tears to see her humility and gratitude in the midst of what she was so graciously dealing with.We decided to write out a list of things for which we are grateful and spend some of our quiet time doing that. Then, around 1:30pm we headed to downtown Ajijic.

This romantic and historical hotel drips with the old Spanish architecture and feeling. The outside echos rock and ivy work while the inside, embraces you with elegant yet strong appointments, sweeping grand areas and nature brought to life. We were lead outside to our table underneath the biggest rubber tree I've ever seen in my life. You can see how tiny I appear under the mammoth tree.

Not only did we prefer the patio, with a view that looks out over the lake, is surrounded by rich tile work and furnishes sculpture embellished with colorful landscape - but this way - Cody could sit with us too. The serving pace was slow, appetizers (veggies w/dip), a roasted red pepper soup, then, the best turkey (I'm not embellishing) I've ever had served from a restaurant!!

And, then we needed a walk down to the lake, and back, before we could consider the pumpkin pie 'n coffee. At the lakes edge, there are plentiful heron and other smaller species that I can't name (Floy, where are you?) and I loved catching the local fisherman out for their usual days work.

On the grounds is a giant bird cage with a pair of beautiful Macaws. We wondered why they had the cage nearly covered with a wrap as well as an umbrella overhead. Seems like these birds would be ok in the winter sun, but, not being a birder, perhaps some of you can enlighten us, please?

Midstream our meal, we can see a couple just a few yards from us talking to Cody. Just as I stand to take him over to meet them, they both stand up to come visit him. Animal-lovers unit any and everwhere! They'd not brought their dog as they weren't certain it was acceptable, but had become enamored with Cody. Come to find out they relocated here around 9 years ago and do mediating work here. She, has taken and supports the arts, avidly. So that when I told her I was an artist she filled my lil postem up with names to watch for and look up. I'm intrigued by these "serendipitious" meetings that seem to be occuring . . . I'm listening to the Universe. I AM remaining open. Anyway, another course interrupted our conversation and back to our respective tables.

Following our feast, a walk was required!! Down the end of the block is the lake so we meander that direction. There is never a lack of art or creative expression in any direction we turn and this stroll isn't lacking. Just look at the private display of gorgeous tile work coupled with the well behaved bamboo.

But the "icing on the cake" for the day, we wandered farther and come upon this gorgeous indigenous woman. Just the position in which she's sitting (probably ALL day) makes my back hurt, but she's contentedly at work. Above her are brilliant colored rugs and blankets draped from the white bellies of the sycamore trees create a painting just as she sits! Of course, she speaks only spanish and we with our meager conversational skills are unable to get across that, "we like this particular wall hanging, could she possibly weave us a longer version by mid-January?"

We solicit a nearby waiter hanging out in front of his restaurant and he comes to translate for us. Oh my, even he has a prolonged dialogue with her. We find out that the wall hanging we like is made by someone else and that the materials man would be in town Sunday. She could find out the cost of the materials and then we could talk further. Whew!! We were exhausted by the end of the meeting and told her we'd come by once again. I just loved standing there watching her dancing big brown eyes explain things and her sweet face move with kind authenticity. She was so down to earth and real, I just wanted to hug her. But, don't worry, I kept my respectful space.

Once home, we each read one another's gratitude lists with some of these items: for making it here safely, for our health, for love and support of our spouse, for the will and courage to make this trip, for inner peace/divinity, for my talents & gifts, for sensitive hearts, for music (including rooster's crows & firecrackers), for different cultures, and for my friends and family. And we have just scratched the surface.

Hope our Thanksgivings helped us all realize the bounty we have to share. Blessing to you all.

The Nesting of an RV

We rose early, anxious to move into our final destination. We couldn't seem to locate Connie, our hostess' phone number (it was online, but without internet connection ...) so Roland walked over to the location and spoke with her in person. She thought that by 1pm she could get the 2 other renters to move their vehicles so we could back in.

Around 1:30pm we follow her instructions so that we can back into the RV pad and begin to go all the way around the block. Now, that may sound like a simple set of instructions but, as you can see the width of the streets we need to navigate, it didn't turn out so easy. We are successful going down one block, turning left and down the next street and then turn onto our street. As we continue we get wedged between a concrete electrical pole and a car from South Dakota. Remember that we can't back up, so while Roland begins un-hitching the PT Cruiser, I go ring the bell on adjacent doors. By now we have begun to provide entertainment for the neighborhood and people are poking their heads out of doors, one fellow encouraging Roland to just "keep going". By the time the car was off the hitch and pushed off to the side in a parking position, the owners of the South Dakota car had come out and managed to move their threatened vehicle.

Ok, we're all positioned and get the RV backed into our cozy lil nest. Ro begins hooking up all the various systems and I'm inside getting things out of boxes and into accessable spots. We realize we can't find the instructions for setting up the canopy for our porch and bumble along, both of us dancing with the akward, heavy poles until we make it work (later we found the instructions). I'm lovin' the scene out our dining room window view that is plush with flowers and a mountains too! Our patio opens onto the green lawn where three small casitas are also available for rent. We have a nice semi-privacy screen formed by just enough palms to allow sunshine to flood in.

Roland decides to take Cody for a walk around the neighborhood. In his travels, he runs across a small neighborhood store and decides to buy his first Mexican beer to enjoy on our patio. When he gets back and is all settled into his chair he realizes the Corona he purchase had the advertisement for Super Bowl 14. This would possibly make the beer (are you ready?) thirty years old. Oh well, so much for product dating at the small family stores!! He drank it anyway and seems no worse for the ware. He did go out and get the makings for Margaritas later in the week tho!

Later in the evening we take the full evening walk. Connie has given us directions to a "Super Lake" market that carries nearly anything we could want (and its true, the fellow drives daily to the US and brings back all the lil delights us ex-pats like). We also meet several of our neighbors. We DO have some furry ones. Roland immediately fell in love with the horses that reside in one of the fields near the street. There is just a mom and her sweet baby but, we given them all our carrots and lettuce cores. You might notice how "lean" mom is, as you can see her hip bones sticking out. :( In the other field we have cows and several horses. Sometimes we see the cowboy just trot down the streets ... it's such a wonderfully different world here.

So now that we are all nested in, we are ready for adventures. We've made a pact to not drive anywhere far for at least one full week. But I'm betting my "bullet" husband can't hold to that. All the trauma of where we will be sleeping and how safe is it, is over and I can feel myself calming, settling. I might even get some journal painting done soon! The weather is lovely, cool evenings for sleeping and clear, blue skied 80s for the days.

Another neighbor we have meet seems not to have been to "Rooster School" where they are taught to crow only at sunrise. But we are guests here in this warm, friendly country and I know we'll adapt. I came upon this trip to stretch my "envelope" and I'm so far, feeling I'm learning more about myself already.

I can't wait to see whats next . . . and I love having you all traveling along with me. Lets get going . . .

And You Thought Tequila is ONLY a Drink?

Continuing on to Lake Chapala, we weave along the back Highway 15. I affords me taking plenty of photos and coaching Roland on passing attempts.

As the shadows get longer, I begin to see dots of pale blue fields among the other yellow-green crops. Knowing the fame of the Blue Agave plant for two-fold reasons: 1 the sugar substitute, Agave and, of course, 2 tequila, I recognize them. Plus I had the clue of knowing that one of the fun places here to tour is the town of Tequila, where the drink is manufactured. And possibly the sugar substitute too, but it's less promoted.

Eventually we curve into the small town of Tequila. From one end of the village to the other there was ever present the theme of the small blue plant. Down the center division of the road were lil' concrete renditions and on the buildings were logos of the plant. When we pulled into the Pemex on a bustling corner, we were adjacent to the town sculpture was of, guess what, YES, you are correct, the blue agave plant!! Actually, it was quite a tasteful piece.

Sitting in wait for the tank to be filled, I pulled my camera and caught a bunch of town characters. One of my favorite was the cowboy's truck parked across from us. The children traveling in the bed of the sunfaded turquoise pickup truck were spirited. The lil' boy eyed me suspiciously and his sister was more coy. Others were pushing carts of edibles, leaning up against the trees just leanin' and others anxiously on their way home.

Finally, we pull out of the gas station and travel thru the long shadows out of town. I catch some final shots of sunlit buildings and passing agave fields. As we make it into Guadalajara, it is dark. The large, turbulent city is five miles across and as things would have it, the main highway was under construction. So we bumble along the rush hour city streets, changing lanes at the wime of our lady on our GPS. She thinks we must be driving a compact with a spirited horsepower. I often wanted to yell at her reminding her, "We're in a thick billboard, bobbing on wheels and we are 45 feet long ~ ~ AND ~ ~ we have NO brake lights!!!" I want you to know one person did honk to catch our attention to let us know we had no brake lights, we just smiled and nodded. So I just trust. And we make onto the re-opened Highway 15 and get out of town.

Once with less traffic in outskirts, we pass the International Airport in Guadalajara and approach the turn off to Chapala. But . . . with less vehicles on this road, we notice how very dim are our head lights are. GRIEF!! Roland tries the brights and I had to laugh, even tho it wasn't funny. How were we going to see the road if we didn't have a car in front of us or coming at us? In a last ditch effort to find more light, we turn on the fog lights. God, will I be glad when we get to Lake Chapala.

Farther down the four lane, two-way highway, we were to turn off onto a smaller road leading into the town of Ajijic where we'd actually be staying. Darn, I just didn't notice it early enough to tell Ro to turn (or was my subconscious just making us travel the safer route?). Reaching the hoppin' town of Chapala, we found the streets well-lit with trees lining the streets and people everywhere. It was like watching a movie - but I was there. Guess I was too tired by then to participate.

But we'd made it. And we did it in such record time, that we were a day before our reservations for the RV pad were available. I didn't care . . . I was never so happy to pull into a Walmart parking lot in my life.

Roland asks if I want to walk over to see if we can find the place we will be staying. Oh my, I'm numb and he's excited. What a combo. But I hop onboard and fumble over the cobblestone streets to see the gate, gailey trimmed in warm yellow with vines dangling with orange trumpet clusters welcoming us. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, we have finally arrived.

Even with the main "Carretera" arterial just 40 feet from us . . . sleep came easy and gratefully . . .