Expats to Get a Vote and a Voice
Voters can cast a primary ballot in person on February 5. Here in Mexico, voting centers will be set up in Ajijic, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan.
Imagine yoursel...
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Tramites: Mexican Paperwork----ouch!
Episode 1. How weakness and overconfidence can lead to bad decisions.
Spring fever got to Jerezano in early May of 2001. In that weakened condition the new car bug stung and stung hard. Jerezano mu...
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Family tradition: five generations of mezcaleros in Matatlan, Oaxaca
Don Isaac recounts awaking at 4 a.m. then walking from his village of Matatlán, with his mule, to Oaxac. He arrived some 14 or 15 hours later… just to buy a large cántaro, the traditiona...
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Bumbling bulldozer in a Mexico beach paradise
Artist James Vitale, owner and operator of El Encanto, a boutique eco-hotel or maybe a healing place or perhaps a vibrant retreat for creativity and education, came onto his verandah to say "Good morni...
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Shootout in Chapala at Paris Cafe
Alas and alas, this may be my/your final dispatch from the Grady Allen treasury of tall tales. The scrappy little survivor of Texas oilfields has departed this life and Mexico is poorer for his passing...
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Dress - A Matter Of Respect?
If expats want to be accepted into the broader society, then they must act the part and treat custom and societal standards with the respect they deserve. It's not enough to throw money at causes and d...
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Good doctor makes house calls
The good doctor really does make house calls.
Juan Barbosa Gallego arrives with a reassuring smile. His personality is perfect for his mission. He is calm, soft-spoken and confident he can produce a c...
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Anyone for bridge?
"But I haven't played bridge since college."
"The last time I played bridge, Ely Culbertson was the authority."
"I've just been too busy earning a living to find time for Bridge."
Sound familiar? We...
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Moving To Mexico Checklist & Countdown
MOVING TO MEXICO
CHECKLIST & COUNTDOWN
By Linzi Eisemann of Directmoving.com
Her Email
MOVING MINUS 90 DAYS
MOVING DAY MINUS 60...
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One for the birds in Ajijic, Mexico
One of the pastimes I enjoy most in Ajijic is walking along the lakefront, observing changes in nature as the seasons move from rainy to dry, from fall to spring, and with the changes, bringing new avi...
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The origin of Mexico's gourds
A gourd is a member of the squash family. Grown in corn fields here between the stalks, they are harvested and stored in a bodega to dry. Indigenous people used the casings as practical implemen...
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A Mexican artist: Marybeth Coulter Best, art in pottery
Our cover this month is graced with a ceramic plate, lovingly created by local potter Marybeth Coulter-Best. Originally from Meno, Oklahoma, Marybeth makes her home at Lakeside. She credits her Mexican...
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Hands around Lake Chapala, Mexico - an eco event
On Saturday, June 3rd, residents of Lakeside, schools, and visitors from Guadalajara, came together in a showing of support for Lake Chapala in the first annual, Hands Around the Lake event, which happ...
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The gallery and art of Bruno Mariscal
I have just had a very enlightening interview with a young man who some of you may know. Bruno is the owner of Ajijic Original T-Shirts, the small gallery/gift shop right down from Bancomer in Ajijic. ...
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The covers of the Lake Chapala Review - digital winners 2001
Ajijic Grill was abuzz with anticipation with all in attendance waiting for the announcement of the five finalists in our 2nd annual, digital photography contest. Nick Paulini of Café Internet Ajijic ...
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The art of Javier Zaragoza, Lake Chapala artist
This month's cover proudly displays the work of Ajijic native, Javier Zaragoza. The Artist was discovered by Niell James, an author and pioneer in this area. She also was the founder of the LCS (...
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Where angels fear to tread: an interview with Silvia Flores
This morning Nurse Practitioner Silvia Flores Gonzalez is a little tired, having gotten up at 4:00 am to deliver a baby. The young mother knocked on the door of "El Centro de Desarrollo para Mujeres" i...
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Languages and place names of Lake Chapala, Mexico
Letter to the editor:
As a newcomer to the area, I wonder if your excellent magazine could assist me in understanding a couple of things. Is it correct that the language of this area at the time of th...
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A story about the "Gringa Mama".
After their sister Sylvia's 15th birthday party Sylvia went to live in Guadalajara. Thirteen-year-old Ricardo, one-year-old Sergio, and their two-year-old sister went to live with an aunt in Jocotepec....
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Fireworks artist: José Zuñiga, castillero
Jose Zuñiga has been making castillos for the better part of 25 years. His father was a Maestro de Fuegos Artificiales, and from boyhood, he remembers being part of the family business. ...
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Interview with Judith Thomamichel: artist in Mexico
As interviewed by A. McGillivray
Q: Jude tell us about yourself:
A: I was born in Chicago and grew up in the 50's in a small suburb. I married young, had four kids, a son and three daughters. Fourtee...
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An Interview with Ajijic-born artist Ricardo González
The interview with Ricardo Gonzalez was one of the most interesting I have done yet. On the surface he appears to be a simple workingman, but after speaking to him, you realize that behind the facade o...
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Spanish terms for building and construction in Mexico
I think that it is time to cover some of the Spanish terms used in construction. There isn't room in the space I have for this column to cover all the terms but perhaps a brief primer is in order.
Fir...
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Rita Pomade: artist and graphoanalyst in Mexico
This month's cover features an etching by local artist and graphoanalyst, Rita Pomade, who admits to having a life-long fascination with lines and their potential for expression. Rita works in...
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Mexico flowers and flower art
