Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

Zardoz

Oct 1, 2009, 2:40 PM

Post #1 of 8 (5510 views)

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Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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I am arriving in Dec and staying through March in village of Ajijic between the plaza and the lake.

Questions

What should I bring that is out of the ordinary thinking of chlothes,toiletries, medications?
The house is furnished and has cable TV and WIFI.
We are pretty simple people with eating and socially drinking being our main fun.
And we are very able to entertain ourselves. For example I like to walk to Chapala and take the bus back for pleasure.
We know to bring paperback books and trade them.
We stayed a week in Ajijic at Casa Blanca for a week last november for our honeymoon so we know a little bit and I
have been looking at the websites and reading the books.
We have already met folks and made friends so we must be somewhat normal and friendly type people. I like to think
of myself as the worlds most conservative hippie. :-) :-)

For example
I am bringing my sirius Boombox for music and news.
I am bringing my laptop to do banking and read mail etc etc etc.
What else?

Thanks for your time!!

Peter

Oct 1, 2009, 3:31 PM

Post #2 of 8 (5493 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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In Reply To

What should I bring that is out of the ordinary... For example
I am bringing my sirius Boombox for music and news.
I am bringing my laptop to do banking and read mail etc etc etc.
What else?

Patience, an open mind, and the best and most gracious manners you possess. Less out of the ordinary, a hunger for new things, cultural diversity, and good Mexican food and beer. It sounds like you already have most things covered.

Zardoz

Oct 1, 2009, 6:16 PM

Post #3 of 8 (5444 views)

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Re: [Peter] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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In Reply To

What should I bring that is out of the ordinary... For example
I am bringing my sirius Boombox for music and news.
I am bringing my laptop to do banking and read mail etc etc etc.
What else?

A very nice answer but we have lived and traveled all over the world and have had no cultural problems. How about
an answer about physical things.

tashby

Oct 1, 2009, 6:50 PM

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Re: [Zardoz] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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An ATM card.

You can get anything else you might need here with one of those. 8-)

Seriously though, if you weren't here during the winter months on your prior visit, you might want to pack a few layers of "cold" weather clothes.......a light jacket or sweather for evenings etc.

Otherwise, it's all available here.

(This post was edited by tashby on Oct 1, 2009, 6:55 PM)

cookj5

Oct 1, 2009, 9:41 PM

Post #5 of 8 (5389 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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You didn't mention anything about camera equipment. I strongly recommend a digital camera with a usb cable to upload your pictures on your laptop. Otherwise how are you going to make all your friends and relatives up North bitterly jealous?

Essentials are good walking shoes at the very least for walking around town and hiking boots if you want to check out the trails. They are hard to find here, particularly in the larger Gringo sizes.

You'll need very few if any fancy clothes here, but finding good quality ordinary wear can be difficult. Lots of short-sleeved shirts, and several pairs of shorts (I like the ones with cargo pockets and legs that come down to the knee or just below). A previous respondent suggested a light jacket and maybe a couple of sweaters for winter. Good idea. If you plan to travel to some of the higher-level elevations (Zacatecas, Mexico City, etc.) particularly in winter, you might want at least one warm coat. Otherwise, in the Lake Chapala area, it will be shorts and t-shirt weather most of the year, with the occasional long-pants day, and the very occasional jacket or sweater day.

Sounds like you have most of the rest covered. If you come up short on something essential, you can usually find it here, or get someone who is making a trip home to bring it back for you.

chicois8

Oct 2, 2009, 5:45 PM

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Re: [Zardoz] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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I have heard bug repelent with deet is hard to find in Mexico and my housekeeper always asks me to bring down multi packs of the CFL light bulbs ( 4 pack at US home depot about $7USD) that cost abut $8 USD each in Mexico...

Vichil

Oct 3, 2009, 6:25 AM

Post #7 of 8 (5231 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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There is plenty of bug repellent with deet here. It can be found in any pharmacy.

Riverman

Oct 3, 2009, 10:04 AM

Post #8 of 8 (5190 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Ok Newbie here but I have studied the websites..

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Hmmm, I think I'd stock up on your favorite sunscreen as selection is poor and prices are high even in Wal-Mart.
Also look into getting "Magic Jack" for free long distance back to the USA & Canada, plus you'll have a number for folks to call you. You might want to bring an unlocked "quad band" phone for use on the road. Other than that, bring a good pair of "Teva's.