FIFA World Cup 2010

We now know that soccer is huge everywhere else in the world with the possible exceptions of Canada and the United States.

This year the World Cup is being hosted y South Africa and they are playing against Mexico as I write this blog. It is the 19th World Cup being played.

When I went to Yoly’s Unisex Hair Salon this morning there was a laptop on the reception counter with the game on. Also at Superlake there was a TV on top of the ATM machines and a semi circle of staff glued to the game.

You will find for the next month that everything is focused on the World Cup and anything you need to get done will take a backseat to this phenomena.

This morning on CNN they had some female soccer players demonstrating different types of plays and positions and highlighting three of the best looking and also star soccer players in this year’s competition. Lional Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two star players that seem to e garnering the most hoopla.

Our son, who is an excellent athlete, decided he did not want to play soccer when we arrived. He was 12 at the time and when asked why he was not interested in this sport his reply was: “Mom, I am very competitive and everyone here has been playing soccer since they were 2”.

This is, in fact, the case in most parts of the world. As soon as you can walk a soccer ball is put in front of you and your, hopefully, illustrious career begins.

Soccer players are extremely fit athletes and very passionate about their game. If invited to a game you must take precautions as to your safety as fans have sometimes had to be put behind chain link fencing for their own safety. Many riots have occurred at soccer games around the world as tempers run high and the heat of competition is unparalleled in any other sport.

Today South Africa plays Mexico and Uruguay plays France.

June 12th, South Korea plays Greece, England plays the US and Argentina plays Nigeria.

June 13th Algeria plays Slovenia, Serbia plays Ghana and Germany plays Australia. Go online for future scheduling information.

There is a lot more information also available on line about players, odds, schedules, advertisers, betting, history and many other subjects of interest for the World Cup being played from today to July 11th.

Just Google World Cup 2010 and you will find sites that have all of the graphs, charts, teams, and pertinent information. In fact, it will be almost impossible for you to miss hearing incessant progress reports over the next few weeks. I must admit it is kind of fun getting swept up in World Cup mania. (Well controlled, of course.)

The National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism Guadalajara welcomes you to the train tour which organizes and operates the Tequila Express, The Legend.

Culture, recreation, entertainment and much more awaits you on this magical journey.

The Tequila Express, The Legend is a train tour which was founded in 1997 to achieve 3 goals:

To Rescue and revive the passenger train.

To pioneer a new form of tourism.

To keep the three pillars of national identity: mariachi, tequila and rodeo.

The Tequila Express runs every Saturday of the year and makes a single trip per day (9:00 am – 6:30 pm) to visit Hacienda San Jose del Refugio (House of Tequila Herradura) located in the municipality of Amatitan, Jalisco.

The trip is one hour and 45 minutes and is a distance of 40 kilometers.

The cost is $950.00 M.N. for adults and $550.00 M.N. for children (6-11 years) which includes transportation by train, dry snacks (morning), tasting beverages (tequila, soda, beer, New Mix, cocktails made with tequila), live mariachi music (inside the train and the Treasury), take a tour inside the Hacienda San Jose de Refugio (House of Tequila Herradura), lunch buffet of Mexican dishes, musical folklore, culture and entertainment.

My daughter and some of her friends took the Tequila Express and thought it was a wonderful adventure. The train trip was through beautiful country side and there was lots to eat and drink during the trip. They particularly enjoyed the tequila tasting segment of the journey.

The Hacienda San Jose de Refugio is very old world Mexican and very well kept and interesting with lovely manicured gardens. There are also many mementos you can purchase to share with your friends and family

It is a wonderful way to experience Mexico and all it has to offer.

You can call toll free 01 800 503 9720 for reservations and tickets or check our their web site for more information at www.tequilaexpress.com.mx

Fashionistas from Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

This year’s theme was A Tribute to the Fashion Capitals of the World and it was, indeed, a great tribute to the entire fashion industry.

I was able to convince my husband to accompany me to this fabulous event as both our daughters were two of the gorgeous models in this year’s show.

He was pleasantly surprised by the fact that many other men were also in attendance.

The show was very well attended and a lovely buffet was served prior to the fashion show itself and one could barely hear oneself think for click of cameras and various other digital recording devices.

What makes this fashion show so special is the choreography and fun that all the models are having as they displayed the beautiful garments from local and Guadalajara designers.

Local designers represented were Tina Jones, Mi Mexico, Alma Gutiterrez Fashion Designs, Opus Boutique, Fiaga Boutique and Heather’s Imports.

From Guadalajara there was MG Mendoza, Romanov and Lidia Elizarraras.

Some of my favorite outfits were the painted silk dresses from MG Mendoza but all the outfits were wonderful.

The models ranging in age from teens to golden years were all extremely professional and all the scenes were executed with precision and were very entertaining as the interaction among them was great fun to watch.

We watched the characters walk through the streets of Paris, Milan, London and New York while wearing beautiful and exciting designs.

Dario and his staff donated the entire day to makeup and hair design and thanks also go to Yoly and Edith for hair design.

The special sponsor was Leguas Tequila and the Hotel Real de Chapala did a magnificent job of hosting the event.

I highly recommend that you attend this wonderful, colorful event next year.. You will not be disappointed by the degree of professionalism exhibited by everyone involved in this most worthwhile fundraising event for our very own Red Cross in Chapala.

St. Patrick's Day

I have a special affinity for St. Patrick’s day as I am part Irish (Scottish and English make up the other parts) and also my mother’s father, my mother and my sister and my aunt were all born on March17th.

New York City hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17th, l762 featuring Irish soldiers serving in the English military. The parade has become an annual event with President Harry S. Truman attending his very own self in 1948.

Congress has proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1995 and the sitting president issues a proclamation each year.

Now for a little history lesson. Naomh Padraig (c 387-17 March 493) was a Romanized Celt and Christian Missionary who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland.

When he was about 16 he was captured from Britain by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the church, he returned to Ireland as an ordained bishop in the north and west of the island, but little is known about the places where he worked and there is no evidence of any link between Patrick and any known church building.

By he eighth century he had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish Monastery system evolved after the time of Patrick and the Irish church did not develop the diocesan model that Patrick and the other early missionaries had tried to establish.

St Patrick’s Day (March 17th) is celebrated both in and outside of Ireland, as both a liturgical and non-liturgical holiday. In the dioceses of Ireland it is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation and outside of Ireland, it can be a celebration of Ireland itself.

St. Patrick is also credited with banishing snakes from the island and although evidence suggests that post-glacial Ireland never had snakes the supposition is the snakes referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druids of that time and place.

Legend also credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3 leafed-clover, using it highlight the Christian belief of three divine persons in the one God (as opposed to the Ariian belief that was popular in Patrick’s time.

Having digested all that the main thing that seems to be celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day is drinking green beer, listening to Irish music and a general feeling of good will towards all men and, of course, women.

On St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish and many restaurants and bars have a special celebration of this day which to most Irish is bigger than Christmas.

Chili Bang Bar is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party and I am sure many other restaurants and bars right here in our own Ajijic, Lake Chapala will not let this special day go unmarked.

For me it is a poignant reminder of my beautiful mother who was extremely proud to share her birthday with her father and daughter and every Irish person in the world.

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards

When we first arrived in Ajijic, Lake Chapala over 15 years ago having an opportunity to view the nominated films was a bit of a challenge as we did not have a movie theatre in those days nor would the latest films get to us if we did.

Things have changed and we now have a lovely theatre complex and we do get all the current releases.

This year there were 10 nominated films and that has not been the case since 1943 when Casa Blanca won for Best Picture.

To my huge disappointment Avatar did not win best picture but it did win several other awards including best Cinematography and Visual Effects.

There were no surprises in the best actor, actress and best supporting actor and actress categories.

Jeff Bridges won Best Actor for A Crazy Heart and they also won Best Original Song for “The Weary Kind” with kudos to music legend, T. Bone Burnett.

Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for The Blind Side.

Christoph Walz won Best Supporting Actor for Inglourious Bastards.

Mo’Nique won Best Supporting Actress for Precious.

Best Director was given to the first female winner, Kathryn Bigelow, for The Hurt Locker by a very happy presenter, Barbra Streisand.

The Best Film went to The Hurt Locker which I have not seen so cannot comment on. I will say, however, that although I thought Avatar richly deserved to win best picture, The Hurt Locker was about a much more topical subject – Iraq and apparently was extremely well done.

The Best Animated Feature was “Up”.

The other nominated films were Up, Up in the Air, Inglourious Bastards, Avatar, Precious, A Serious Man, The Blind Side, District 9 and An Education..

I do very much like Colin Firth and was happy to see him nominated for his role in A Serious Man.

I like the way they have previous winners comment on this year’s nominees in the categories of best actor and actress which brings a very warm personal touch to the proceeding.

Neil Patrick Harris did a gala opening number and Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were entertaining as co-hosts.

Most of the presenters were young beautiful newcomers but there was a nice tribute to Director, John Hughes 1950-2009. One of John’s many claims to fame was “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off”.

James Taylor sang “Faces we Remember” as we remembered those who had passed which was again a very nice personal touch.

The show ran from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm which included Barbara Walter’s Pre-Oscar Special which showcased Mo’Nique and Sandra Bullock plus all the previous stars she has had on her show since 1981. This is the last year Barbara will be doing this Pre-Oscar special and it was fun looking back over the 29 years of interviews with the highlight being Hugh Jackman giving the red-faced Barbara Walters a lap dance.

The red carpet preview showed all the beautiful gowns and tuxedos but I was not crazy abut the interviewers. Buy hey that is just me. All in all I didn’t miss a moment of the entire presentation and for the most part was pleased with the winners.

I can honestly tell them that in over 15 years I have never been bored and there is indeed plenty to do.

You can be as busy or as idle as you would like,

In Ajijic, Lake Chapala there are two garden clubs, The Garden Guild and The Garden Club. There are cooking competitions and lessons available. There are bridge clubs and cribbage clubs.

There are all types of cultural events such as symphonies, plays both local and imported and I can honestly say my children have been more exposed to culture than they ever were in Toronto.

We have the Auditorium in La Floresta which stages many events and also the Little Theatre in San Antonio Tlayacapan and they are always looking for people who wish to get involved in theatre.

There are local golf clubs and tennis clubs in Ajijic, Lake Chapala as well as many more in Guadalajara. Lessons in both sports are available and tournaments to participate in.

There are many very worthwhile charities to get involved in and churches for all denominations

We have wonderful restaurants and a movie theatre boasting 3 cinemas with all the current movies available in English.

There is a writer’s club, Club Amigos for newcomers to meet new friends and enjoy old ones.

We have the Lake Chapala Society which offers all kinds of free medical testing, insurance seminars, a vast library and video library. This is an association devoted to the ex-pat community as well as helping the local population. LCS has a wonderful yearly directory, mail service and many other services needed by ex-pats. There is not a question you many have that they cannot answer.

There is Laughter Yoga which has 6,000 clubs all over the world To get listings for all of the activities that are available you can check out the weekly Guadalajara Reporter or the Ojo del Lago. Also you can google your specific interests and web sites will pop up giving you the information you need.

There are all kinds of special events held almost nightly from formal dinners to casual get togethers.

We have found the most rewarding activities are those that include the Mexican people who always welcome you to any event they are having and this is a wonderful way to get involved in our amazing community.

Also we are 30 minutes from the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara which is twice the size of Toronto and has everything you would expect from a major city including shopping, culture, history and restaurants and night life.

Also we are just over three hours from the beach on an excellent toll road and day trips and longer excursions are available to many other wonderful Mexican towns and cities.

I have only mentioned a few options of what is available to us here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala and many other activities and pastimes are waiting for you to discover them.

Whatever you would do to fill your time wherever you came from is available here. Perhaps the only difference is a slower pace reminiscent of kinder, gentler times.

Now with the internet and high speed wireless one can carry on any business ventures you care to be involved in.

So don’t worry about what you will find to do here instead worry about how you will find the time to do everything you wish to be involved in.

The expression is “One goes to Florida to die but one comes to Ajijic, Lake Chapala to live”.

Crown Casino Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

A press release from the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) said the investigators confiscated equipment and materials from the betting parlor and also took 16 employees and 9 clients to the PGR headquarters in Guadalajara for questioning in regards to probable violations of the General Law on Games and Raffles.

Allegedly the business was opened without proper permits from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Gobernacion).

The detainees were held in custody for about 17 hours before being released on bonds posted by the casino’s operators.

Evidently, agents allowed a number of foreign clients to freely leave the casino to avoid the possibility of violating their individual rights.

Included in the evidence collected by authorities were 65 electronic betting machines, 23 packages containing 3,298 magnetic cards used for playing the machines and 57,533 pesos in cash found in the till, as well as an unspecified number of gaming tables, playing cards, chips and plasma screens.

Before terminating the operation, agents put seals across the front and back entrances of the casino reinforcing the closure by welding several iron bars across each door.

Local police, who were called in at the last minute to provide back up for the raid, have maintained regular surveillance in the area during this week.

The Chapala government’s Secretary General, Jose Gonzalez Alfaro, said that the Crown Casino was issued two separate business licenses by the previous administration, one authorizing the operation of a restaurant-bar and the other one for installing low-cost electronic games known as tragemonedas (coin swallowers).

Former city councilwoman Rocio Reynoso, admitted that the permits were extended without being run through a special council that oversees issuance of licenses for restricted enterprises, such as those that dispense alcoholic beverages.

Jose Gonzalez Alfaro said that the casino would not have its licenses renewed without the proof of proper authorization from Gobernacion from the current government.

This raid was perhaps a little zealous. Had you ever been in this casino one might have thought that on site questioning of the clients would certainly have sufficed.

Cinemas Del Lago

It was always a special treat and the prices in those days did not require a bank loan.

When we first moved to Ajijic, Lake Chapala we did not have a movie theater and if you wanted to go to the movies you had to brave the traffic into Guadalajara where there are now two or more movie complexes.

The main ones are Cinepolis (www.cinepolis.com.mx) and Multicinemas and they both have many locations. So a visit to their websites would tell you what location would suit you. Also they have listings available weekly in the Guadalajara Reporter.

The listings for our own theaters are also available in the Guadalajara Reporter. Our theater complex is in Plaza Bugumbilias, Carr. Chapala –Ajijic # 54-C. Tel (376) 766-3729 Ext. l04, 106. www.cinemasdellago.com Matinees Saturdays and Sundays only.

There is also a coupon in the Guadalajara Reporter with which you pay only $20.00 pesos per ticket any day except Wednesday.

It has been a very long time since one could go to the movies up north for $2.00 dollars.

Our theaters in Ajijic, Lake Chapala also have a very nice snack bar with hot dogs (with toppings only heard of here in Mexico), nachos, all kinds of candy, popcorn with some kind of buttery-like substance which is jolly tasty, and cold and hot drinks.

These days we don’t go out to the movies as often as we used to. They are many reasons for this. Going out again once we get home can be an unwanted challenge. Many of us are happy to wait until the movie comes on television or with the case of techie children and grandchildren we can now download feature films onto our computers.

Once in a while, however, a movie comes that should be seen on the big screen and a television screen or computer screen just will not do.

Such a movie is “Avatar” which won the Golden Globe best movie and best director, Jim Cameron who, of course, was responsible for “Titanic”. Mr. Cameron is not inclined to make short movies and “Avatar” is almost three hours long. However, it goes by in a heartbeat.

I was a little skeptical when invited to go to see this movie as I was told it was science fiction which is not my favorite genre. I went however, if not kicking and screaming, certainly reluctantly and the opening few scenes did nothing to reassure me I had made the right choice in accepting the invitation.

Then I was fully engrossed, the characters came to life, the music soared and I was watching incomparable visual beauty. I will not say any more as I do not wish to spoil this movie for you. I do recommend it, however. I found it to be an extremely entertaining two and a half hours or so. I think you will too.

Chili Bang Bar in Ajijic, Mexico

We were lucky enough to be invited to the opening of her new bar “Chili Bang Bar” on Hidalgo #15 in downtown Ajijic a few doors west of the Plaza. Tel. (376) 766-1919.

Chili Bang Bar is an upscale bar with great prices and music. They have a great wine list and fabulous martinis plus many other mixed drinks and all makes of tequilas and beer.

The Fusion Food Menu is brought to Chili Bang Bar by Chefs at Number FOUR Greg Couillard and Ismat Jivani. They are currently working on perfecting the menu but such delights as Tequila Shrimp, Jamaican Jump Up Soup, Chili Bang Bar’s unique and delicious chili, crab cakes, and many other savory dishes will be available for individual order or for sharing. Tapas style, if you will.

The décor is very warm and inviting and you can see Kim’s incredible imagination throughout the bar. They have a wood pizza oven and a bar in front for tequila shots and beer.

There is room for dancing and the entire staff is very efficient and helpful in making sure your experience at Chili Bang Bar is the most enjoyable possible.

This is a wonderful place to take a date or your spouse or to meet new people. There are various bars at which to sit and also tables. The lighting is dim and warmed by scented candles everywhere and a number of cozy fireplaces. (This is particularly appreciated during these cooler nights.)

The opening Saturday Jan. 16 drew over 200 people and remained packed from when the doors opened at 6:00 pm until they closed at 1:00 am. Despite the large number of people everyone was very well looked after and the service was amazing.

It is very nice to have a bar in Ajijic where one can go for great food, drinks, music, atmosphere and service. Valet parking is available for an added benefit.

Reservations are taken for “Chef’s Table only (parties up to 8).

The official opening of Chili Bang Bar is tomorrow at 4:30pm ‘til midnight. Sundays they are open until 10:00 pm. and are closed Mondays.

We thoroughly enjoyed this new bar in our beautiful village of Ajijic. We found it to be reminiscent of a New York bar with all of the atmosphere but without the prohibitive prices.

Salud! Tell Kim we sent you.

The Ajijic Nutcracker - December 17th, 2009

This year it is being held on Thursday, December 17th with performances at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm for a cost of $50.00 pesos per person.

We have been attending The Nutcracker since we arrived in 1994 as, our then, school aged children acted in it in a variety of roles from snowflakes to besotted grandfathers.

The Nutcracker is produced and directed by long time Director of a bi-lingual school in Ajijic, Wayne Palfrey. Every year it seems to get better and we enjoy it just as much as we did when our own children where on the stage.

There are so many things to love about this particular production. The smiling and beautiful faces of the children, the dancing Chinese moppets, Clara being tossed into the air by the prince and, of course, the piece de resistance, the lighting of the tree.

The children are in full costume and twinkling lights grace the stage.

We still go every year accompanied by our, now adult, children and every year we enjoy it thoroughly.

It is a very well rehearsed production and the kids take great pride in their opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker and entertain us.

There are many wonderful cultural events at the auditorium and we have attended many over the years. We certainly saw more plays and concerts here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, than we did in Toronto and we love how children are always an integral part of every celebration.

The Nutcracker remains one of the best events of the year and we already have purchased our tickets which are available at the box office in from of the auditorium.

We are sure that you also will enjoy this colorful production. See you there!