Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

gurley

Mar 17, 2003, 1:55 PM

Post #1 of 6 (672 views)

Shortcut

How to Get the Most Info when We Come?

Can't Post | Private Reply

We are very excited about coming to check out Lakeside in September! We'll only be there about a week and want to get the most information on what it's really like to live there. Can any of you share ideas about how we can optimize our time?

We hope to look into Clinics and health care (my dream is to provide nutrition and diabetes education in some way). We want to get a feel for the friendliness, our ability to fit in, the relationship with Mexicans that ex-patriates experience. Of special interest is the vitality of AA and Al-Anon there.

How about any recommendations regarding a lower-cost hotel or B&B in Ajijic? We know that we will spend very little time in our room, so would like to pay less for a room than many of the places that I've read about thru "sponsored" accomodations. All we need is a clean, simple place with a decent bed. If we could arrange a place where we had kitchen privileges, we might be able to save money on restaurants too - which would be a nice option, but not necessary!

We look forward to meeting some of you!

Rose and Jim
God Bless the World - No Exceptions!

Roses5410

Mar 17, 2003, 4:59 PM

Post #2 of 6 (596 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gurley] How to Get the Most Info when We Come?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Here are the links to only a few of the B & Bs in the Ajijic/Chapala area. We've stayed at Casa Flores and found it very quiet with wonderful hosts...there are several more B & Bs in the area.

http://www.casafloresmexico.com/pages/816224/index.htm

http://www.mexconnect.com/amex/swan/index.shtml

http://www.lagunamex.com/bnb/index.html

http://sammasati.com/mexico/info.htm

http://www.mexconnect.com/...sartistas/hosts.html

The rates vary. Sometimes weekly rates are less than day-by-day rates...I hope you enjoy your stay...We're getting ready to move down in the next few months and we can't wait to get back there!
I love taking pictures...check out my prints for sale @ http://Rosacalaca.dpcprints.com/

Uncle Donnie

Mar 22, 2003, 11:37 AM

Post #3 of 6 (460 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gurley] How to Get the Most Info when We Come?

Can't Post |

Hi Rose and Jim,

I envy your excitement and your obvious delight in setting out on a new voyage of discovery. You obviously have the right attitude to be successful in integrating into ANY community.

Here's my advice from a jaded and cautious perspective. First, get whoever you're communicating with down here to save copies of both the El Ojo del Lago and The Complete Lake Chapala Review to give you when you get here. These are monthly area magazines and both contain a great number of advertisements. You'll quickly find information about people and businesses to contact once you're here.

An AA group meets five days a week down here, Tue., Wed., Fri., at 4:00--- Sat. and Sun. at 10:00a.m. (info from El Ojo del Lago) and the address is given in the publication. Most cities, towns, and villages I've been in down here have (or have had) some sort of AA and/or NA organization.

Diabetes is a serious health problem down here and most towns have a few services set up for those who live with it. Pedicures, massages, etc. And medical services also, of course. A word of caution: you're going to need to get legal authorization if you intend to work down here. Contact your nearest Mexican Consulate for advice about this.

There's a very active American Legion Post in Chapala, the Lake Chapala Society, the Canadian Club, a German group, Shriners, the Irish Society, Red Cross Volunteers, Rotary Clubs, and a number of churches as examples of clubs and organizations you can contact. You should be able to find someone of like interests with a willingness to help you. (See how helpful those magazines, used in conjunction with this website, can be?)

The first thing I'd suggest you consider is doing an index search right here on mexconnect to find articles about your various concerns and questions. Go back to the homepage and type in your keywords to be whisked to a world of good information.

As for integrating into the Mexican communities, there are a number of projects in this area which will allow you to become as immersed as your time, interest, energy, and other resources permit. Orphanages, social agencies, housing construction, teaching, working as a Red Cross volunteer, working with crippled children; all these provide you with open doors to the Mexican residents at Lakeside.

Good luck, although I suspect your attitudes will negate any need for outside powers. I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit.

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

gurley

Mar 22, 2003, 12:15 PM

Post #4 of 6 (452 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Uncle Donnie] How to Get the Most Info when We Come?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Dear Roses... and Uncle Donnie,

Thanks so much for the websites, Roses...; and Uncle Donnie, for great ideas and the words of encouragement that we are, indeed, on the right track. Sometimes our dream seems so far-fetched and far-away! Our financial situation certainly took a nose-dive the last 3 years. We're busily putting away all the money we can for our dream, but it's felt like the money's gone down the "rat-hole." Hence, the hope that I might offer my professional expertise and make a meager living. Jim works with desk-top publishing and hopes that maybe he can do some consulting via the internet. Our nearest Mexican consulate is 600 miles away, so I do not look forward to the logistical obstacles in delving into obtaining information regarding FM3 and work permit. But I'm quite passionate about our ideas, so intend to persevere!

I'm so grateful to the many informed people who post here at Mexconnet(ed)! Isn't the internet grand!

I look forward to future "chats!"

Rose
God Bless the World - No Exceptions!

juan david

Mar 22, 2003, 6:49 PM

Post #5 of 6 (430 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gurley] How to Get the Most Info when We Come?

Can't Post | Private Reply

U.D. is right. Use the resources to do the research and then come on down and wade in. We just went thru this whole thing in the past year and it's not so daunting when you get in motion. Most of us have been whacked in the markets, but the good news is that we are now measuring things from the bottom! Every cloud has an etc etc.
" let sleeping dogs lie"

Uncle Donnie

Mar 23, 2003, 8:39 AM

Post #6 of 6 (410 views)

Shortcut

Re: [ian] How to Get the Most Info when We Come?

Can't Post |

Hi All,

One thing you mentioned that wasn't addressed is the desk-top publishing venture. I have NO expertise in any area of computer use but I do know here are a few folks at Lakeside who offer various design and layout services.

One advertises in one of the local publications, one doesn't advertise yet, and yet another works by referral. Some folks design business cards (very artistically) and others have set up small businesses selling note cards and such. There's a self-publishing operation here so that authors can get work done locally so there might be some occasional work there.

Just like where you are it will depend upon your individual make-up, your needs, your talent, your creativity, etc.

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com