There has been a lot of chatter about crime in Ajijic, Lake Chapala. I would like to try and give you some perspective on this subject.

We have lived in Ajijic, Lake Chapala for over 15 years. We hail from Toronto, Canada and when we were there I would not let my children go the Mac’s Milk store across the street on their own.

From the time we arrived in Ajijic, Lake Chapala our children have run free and I have never worried about their safety.

This is a community where church and family are the most important values and no one is going to hurt your children.

Obviously, there is going to be some crime as the ex-pats, for the most part, are wealthier than the Mexican locals. Having said that, the crime is largely one of theft of people wanting to feed their families and is usually non-violent.

Coming from a major metropolitan city we find the crime here very inconsequential and if (more…)

Fiaga is a wonderful store in Ajijic, Lake Chapala that I would like to tell you a bit about.

It is located on Moreles # 7 beside Ajijic Tango Restaurant and their phone # is 766-1816. They also have a web site www.fiaga.net

The owner, Sophia Marquez, is a very talented designer who, along with her efficient staff, makes all the store’s own clothes largely for women but also some shirts for men.

The other wonderful thing about Fiaga is that they do all types of alterations for men and women. I was there just this morning and I thought they just did women’s alterations but as it turned out there was a men there having several pairs of pants altered.

Her clothes are what she calls minimalist and are natural cotton usually in white, black or ecru. She has pants, tops, dresses, shirts for men and women, separates, jewelry, colorful rebosos, (more…)

Today I learned something new. I had to go to Chapala from Ajijic to do some company banking and parked on the median dividing the main street of Chapala which I had done hundreds of times before.

This time, however, after successfully completing my business (which in itself was a miracle) there was a policewoman giving me a ticket when I came out of the bank.

I scurried (as fast as I could in high heels on cobblestones) across the street in hopes of finding “another way” to solve the situation.

She was very nice and explained that on holidays and Sundays there was no parking around the median which was news to me. She further explained that it was well sign posted. I politely (more…)

The other day my daughter and I were leaving the house. We were facing the mountains and she said “Look, Mama, you can see the yellow flowers in the mountains.” I remember 15 years ago when my friend and then neighbor said the same thing to me.

She went on to tell me that once you could see the yellow flowers in the mountains it meant that the rainy season was almost over and invierno (winter) was coming. She said it always made her a little sad because soon the mountains would lose their lush green color and would become a little brown.

This year I am not at all upset to see the yellow flowers. We have had a very hot September this year because of El Nino and the smog in Guadalajara and I, for one, will not be unhappy to feel cooler temperatures.

The days will still be warm and sunny but it might be a little cooler at night which is always pleasant for sleeping. We will continue to enjoy outdoor living without any bugs and we can still swim (more…)

Sometimes we forget that we are lucky enough to live in paradise. After returning from 2 weeks in my native Canada it struck me once again how much I love living in Ajijic, Lake Chapala. Our flight from Toronto to Dallas was without incident but our flight from Dallas to Guadalajara was delayed for three hours and I thought we would not be able to get home at all that night. I quickly made friends with our pilot who was worried about thunder storms in Dallas and Guadalajara but eventually he felt it was safe to take off and we arrived at 1:00 am but arrived nonetheless.

The wonderful smells were what hit me first as we exited the Guadalajara Airport (with all of out luggage which was a miracle). It was pitch black on the ride to Ajijic, Lake Chapala but I could envision when we first would see Lake Chapala and the wonderful feeling it always gives me knowing that I am home.

The house was brightly lit up and our dogs were thrilled to see us very nearly knocking me over in their excitement.

We had had a lovely time with friends and relatives in Canada and the weather was (more…)

The British Open Golf Tournament (as it is more familiarly called) is underway in Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland.

There are 2 interesting stories this year. First is Tom Watson, who is 59 years old, is at the top of the leaderboard. Tom has won this event 5 times in the past and is very much an adopted son in the old sod.

Secondly, and perhaps even more surprising is that Tiger Woods missed the cut on Friday by one shot finishing 5 over par. Tiger who has also won the British Open in the past has only missed one other major cut in his career and that was the 2006 U.S. Open.

Phil Michelson did not attend this year’s Open Championship as both his wife and mother are battling breast cancer.

Retief Goosen is the only other usual suspect in the mix.

The first day the conditions were marvelous with very good weather but today the conditions are cold and windy not at all unusual for Scotland. The course at Turnberry is very beautiful and the (more…)

Good ice cream has always been a challenge in Ajjic, Lake Chapala.

When we were first here 15 years there was a little ice cream parlor on the Plaza in Ajijic.

It is still there and the ice cream is good but not what some of us were used to in our previous lives.

Then we have 2 Bing outlets here, one on the Plaza in Ajijic an another one near the malecon in Chapala.. They do a very interesting selection of custom built sundaes.

Of course, the supermarkets and Wal-mart sell an assortment of brands including Haagen Dazs if you are willing to float a loan to buy it.

Bordens is usually a safe bet but often the cream is on the top and the fat is on the (more…)

Star Choice now Shaw Direct is available here.  It is Canadian programming in English with the 3 major networks and Fox.  Various programming packages are available now including HBO Canada.

Sky is a Mexican company with channels in English and movies in English with Spanish subtitles.

MVS Communications has joined with the EchoStar Corporation to offer new low cost satellite TV in Mexico.

This service to be know as Dish Mexico will deliver a wide variety of audio and video channels in al all digital format via an EchoStar provided high powered direct broadcast satellite.

The basic package includes children’s programming from Disney, Jetix, Nick, Discovery Kids and cartoon network; general entertainment from Universal, Sony, Warner, 52MX, E! Entertainment TV and Scifi;  educational channel from Discovery, Animal  Planet, The History Channel and Infinite; sports from ESPN and ESPN2 and Fox Sports; music channels from MTV and Exa TV and movie channels from TNT, The Film Zone,. MC, Multipremier and Cine Latino.  In addition Dish offers movie packages with no commercial breaks.

The basic service includes 25 Spanish an English language channels for $139.00 pesos per month.

There is also our local cable provider which is Telecable. Telecable also offers internet and phone services.  A complete list of their channels, services and prices are available at their outlet just before Maskaras Clinic on the carretera.  Their phone # is 765-4550.

You will also see Direct TV sign up kiosks along the carretera.

A very knowledgeable person to talk to in Ajijic is Michael Merriman at Satellite Services of Ajijic at 766-1117. He would be a good source as to what would be the best choice for you in your particular area.

When we were first here 15 years ago we were told to buy a Volkswagen or Nissan as it would be easier to get parts.

Things have changed for the better over the years and now all makes and models can be purchased and properly serviced.

For years anything to do with our cars was left to Spencer Shulman at S&S Auto on the carretera next to Puritan Poultry. (765-4800)

We bought a car from Spencer and were looked after beautifully and we still have our car insurance with him. If, God forbid, you do have an accident they are right here and look after everything for you. Spencer, of course, is fluent in Spanish and English. Spencer sells all makes and models of new and used cars and is extremely professional and knowledgeable about cars and motorcycles. S&S also rents cars.

S & S Auto used to do all of our maintenance and repairs to but they stopped (more…)

Recently there have been some changes in the Ajijic, Lake Chapala area. The malecons have been reconstructed in Chapala, Ajijic, and San Antonio as well as further west past Ajijic. I have lived here for many years and must say that it is refreshing to see some constructive work being done.

The malecon in Chapala has been completed for several months now, and the town has had several large events since. One of the events I attended was a flight show. Hundreds of people were gathered along the malecon and sitting on the beaches with their families watching men jump out of planes, helicopters doing loopty loops, and pilots flying inches from the surface of the water. It was a beautiful sunny day, everyone was enjoying picnics, children were playing in the water, teenagers were laughing with their friends, and couples were cuddled up on the beach together. It was very nice to see the townspeople out and about again now that there is a nice place to spend time with their families on the weekends.

For those of you who have lived here as many years as I have, I am sure you remember the Ajijic Park down by the lake. For many years it was left behind. The tables and benches were (more…)