3 Days in Ajijic

Jen sez.....


Where do I begin? So many, sights, sounds, smells. After waking at 4:30 AM at the hotel in Bentonville, we had an uneventful trip(s) to Ajijic. Met our landlady, Robyn and toured the house, learning the eccentricities of lights, switches,etc. Mexican electric & plumbing are not like NOB.

We had several forays into the town and neighborhood, getting groceries at El Torito and Super Lake (two small grocery stores). This because we arrived a day after the Wednesday tianguis (outdoor market), which are weekly. On Tuesday, we will go to the organic outdoor market and then to the Wednesday market to get whatever we can't get organically. Loving breakfasts with the fruit, yogurt (I had forgotten how wonderful the fruit and cereal yogurt is), bolillos, fresh juice, Oaxacan or Chiapas coffee......

The casa is much bigger than it appeared on VRBO. So much space for two people -- so come on down! We have three patios -- the entrance patio, an interior patio on the first floor and a huge patio on the second floor roof with tons of plants and a great view of the mountains and the church steeple and a glimpse of the lake.

We went to a neighboring town, Chapala, to eat at the Beer Garden and listen to a gringo band with a bunch of other 60's types. We were to be picked up by a party bus and waited 20 minutes and decided to take the local bus. When we were ready to leave, the bus was not there and no one else was gathered for the bus, so we asked the hostess where the bus was. She brought over a guy, who said follow me and led us to a VW bug, said he was the owner of the restaurant and drove us back to Ajijic. Only in Mexico!

I forgot to mention that, as we arrived in Chapala, we happened on the procession to the church -- a parade of band, statues and people. The statues going to the church for the festival of San Francisco (Saint Francis) the patron saint. There are festivities through Monday (the actual saints day -el ultima dia), including fireworks, carnival, tons of street food and restaurants and bands.

Tomorrow we go to Tlaquepaque to visit friends and look around, maybe buy some artsy/crafty things (maybe I'll find something for you, Heidi)

Must go back to making my guacamole and pico de gallo....