Swine Flu Hearing in Jalisco, Mexico

If there is a positive to this outbreak it is the cost of flying to Mexico on many airlines has been reduced by up to 50%.

For those of you considering buying property in Ajijic, Lake Chapala or looking into retiring here this would be a very good time to come and see if this is the place for you.

Although we have been affected by the global economic crisis we are still better off than most and very good deals are available to the discerning buyer.

Many people choose to “shop: online for real estate as well as many other things but it is important to come in person to get the true flavor and experience first hand the multiple benefits of living in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

Our climate is the best in the world and the Mexican people are warm and welcoming. The area of Ajijic, Lake Chapala is incredibly beautiful as we are nestled between Lake Chapala and the Sierra Madre Mountains. We are only 40 minutes or less from the large city of Guadalajara and 18 minutes from an international airport,

The way of life is slower here with a large community spirit that believes in giving back and there is a return to kinder, gentler times.

When we first came here 15 years ago there was not much opportunity here for younger people but that too has changed. Many people have brought their families here to go to school, learn a new language and find their place among those making a very decent living upon graduation. If they wish to go to colleges or universities up north their education here allows them to do that too. Both our children were schooled in Ajijic and both attended universities in Canada and in the case of our son the US too.

Now you are able to check out Ajijic, Lake Chapala for a very reasonable airfare so why not come on down and experience for yourself our little slice of paradise?

The rainy season (June 15-October 15) is almost upon us and there is no better time to visit Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

H1N1 Virus Abates in Mexico

When I came home I turned on CNN and was delighted to hear that, according to authorities, the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) was lessening in Mexico City. It is their belief that the worst is over and the number of confirmed cases has leveled off and is, in fact, on the decline. They went on to say that all businesses are able to reopen on Wednesday of this week.

Some schools will remain closed until inspections are complete but are expected to reopen next Monday.

This was music to my ears. Although the H1N1 Virus did not reach Ajijic or Guadalajara many steps were taken in an abundance of caution. Schools, restaurants, bars and all unessential businesses were closed over the long holiday week-end and all events to mark the holiday were canceled.

They are still concerned about the spread of this virus in other parts of the world and it still seems to be on the rise in the US.

There are some major differences with the H1N1 Virus as opposed to the regular seasonal flu. The most obvious one is the age of those infected being among healthy 24-40 year olds (mostly women) as opposed to the very young and older persons whose immune systems may be weaker.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the WHO (World Health Organization) are still searching for answers as to what caused this particular mutant virus and there are still many unanswered questions. They are still very diligent in getting these questions answered.

Symptoms seem to be less severe with the H1N1 Virus and there have been no deaths reported outside of Mexico and those were only in the early days of the outbreak The one death in the US was a child from Mexico who had gone to the US for treatment.

There has been a lot of financial damage caused by this flu outbreak especially in Mexico City. Here workers in some cases could not work and their income stopped. Few have savings and so feeding their families became a huge problem for them.

I must admit even with the various long term consequences of the H1N! Virus here in Mexico I am very impressed with how the Mexican authorities handled the situation.

They worked very closely with the CDC and WHO following all guidelines in an effort to learn as much as they could as quickly as possible and how to contain the virus and protect the Mexican people.