The Rainy Season is Upon Us

I don’t know why I bothered to go to the hairdresser during this time as the heat had caused my hair to fall flat before leaving the salon.

In the past the hunt for fans was quite a challenge unless you went to Guadalajara as all the fans lakeside flew off the shelves. Now that we have Wal-mart (albetit still a contentious entity for some) purchasing a fan is as easy as going to the store and making your selection from many models available in all price ranges.

Although we do have overhead fans in most of our rooms which do provide much needed relief I still find free standing fans necessary for other parts of the house.

Fortunately our house is very cool as we have marble floors and a very large overhanging roof over our outdoor terraza.

The rainbirds (not really birds but large insects) have been croaking themselves hoarse for the last few weeks heralding the imminent onset of the rainy season. (June 15 – October 15)

Last Wednesday we experienced a wonderful storm complete with torrents of rain, thunder and lightening which sent our dogs promptly scrambling underneath the bed. This was not that unusual as we live in San Antonio Tlayacapan and we have been “enjoying” their fiestas for the last several days complete with fireworks sounding quite like large cannons in your bedroom which also freak out the dogs. No surprise there.

We all thought after this storm “Aha the rains have come early and they will cool everything down wonderfully”. “Not so fast” said Tlaloc, the God of rain.

It was still hot on Thursday and no more rain seemed to be forthcoming.

Last night some time after midnight we did have another storm. Clearly, the rainy season this year is rigorously adhering to the schedule as today is June l5.

If you look to the mountains you will be able to see the subtle beginning of the greening of the hills and the lake is already starting to rise.

The mountains will now turn from a scruffy brown to a rich green velvet which is beautiful to watch. Also the lake will rise bringing even more varieties of wildlife and birds and week-end visitors from Guadalajara to enjoy our new malcones (lakeshore promenades) in Ajijic and Chapala and the many restaurants along the shores of Lake Chapala.

This is, indeed, our most beautiful season in Ajijic, Lake Chapala and we are sure you will enjoy it as much as our many residents.

The Rainy Season in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

The rainy season here is the most beautiful season of the year. Traditionally it runs from June 15 – October 15. The lead up to it is when a lot o people travel as it can be a little hot and dusty as we await the rains but this has not been the case for me. Coming from the frigid north the heat of May is never too hot for me. Also the exciting sound of the rain birds heralding the arrival of the rains in about 6 weeks is very welcome and pleasant sound.

The rainy season here is very dramatic and wonderful. There are thunderstorms across the lake which are wonderful to watch as the ribbons of lightening light up the sky. Everything becomes very lush and green and the mountains shed their brown mantle for a deep green velvet cloak. The air is fragrant with multiple flowers and flowering shrubs and trees and is also very fresh and clean after each rain. Usually it rains only at night leaving the days warm, sunny and full of brilliant colors and interesting sights. Gardens burst forth in gay profusion and avid gardeners try their hand (or green thumbs) at rare and wonderful new plants.

The bouganvilla in all shades of purple through magenta cascade over the stone walls and towards the end of the rainy season the Noche Buenas or Poinsettias are beginning to bloom for Navidad (Christmas). Here in Ajijic/Lake Chapala these wonderful scarlet blooms are trees and not just found in pots as they are up north. All nurseries, however, do carry all sizes of poinsettas in pots for decoration of your house for the festive season.

Although the end of the rainy season is melancholy it does mean that Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their way. And if you have not yet experienced Navidad in Mexico you are in or a magnificent treat.

Every season is very special and beautiful in Ajijic/Lake Chapala but the rainy season holds a particularly special place in all of our hearts.