Once upon a time, in the previous century, an old journalist and his still-beautiful bride were pondering retirement and escape from Washington, D.C. They had roots and land on the original TVA lake i... read more

Living in New York and Los Angeles, while good for one’s metabolism, is not that great for one’s patience. Who has time to stop and smell the roses? Who stops? Who smells? What roses? When I moved... read more

I reviewed Chandos's other book, "House in the Sun", in Mexico Connect a couple of months ago and now I'm catching up on what was actually the author's first book, published four years earlier. We're given a good long loving look at the various events that mark a typical year in a Mexican village - like The Day of the Dead, the Day of the Cross, Navidad, birthdays and the other festivals that are customarily celebrated. It all adds up to an attractive narrative. read more

Last month, during the holidays, I experienced a magical mix of south and north-of-the border celebrations. My parents visited for two weeks during Christmas, which made it a special time for me. In an... read more

Every once in a while, I get an email from a reader who asks, "What are the down sides of living at Lakeside?" Normally, I have to scratch my head and think a bit, but once in a while, I get a week lik... read more

Americans choosing to live south of the border are often surprised that the romance of Mexico isn’t limited to its people. Of the many lovely experiences during my first years in San Antonio Tlayaca... read more

I fussed unnecessarily, before moving to Mexico, worrying about how I would continue with my education, with no grasp of the Spanish language. Why unnecessarily? Because I came just before we were able... read more

Fish, farmland or bungee-jump? This article is Part 4 of Tony Burton's series: "Can Mexico's Largest Lake be Saved?" . Part 1: May, 1997 - Can Mexico's Largest ... read more

They may not have conquered Ajijic in the old days, but the Purepecha never gave up. They didn’t even ever surrender to the mighty Aztecs. Now, they are seeking to take Ajijic by artistic stealth, beginning next month when a special Purepecha Fiesta is to be held in Ajijic plaza. The Fiesta begins on October 12, “Dia de La Raza” (literally "Day of our Race"), a national holiday observing the survival and resistance of the indigenous Mexican.

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Lately I've fielded several questions from readers (both men and women) on what the single life is like here at the Lakeside. I knew when I came down, that if I were looking for a man, this place woul... read more

I have to clench my typing fingers to have them not start out with "Time flies when…." I arrived in Mexico on May 28th, five years ago. It doesn't seem possible. In my adult life I've never lived in... read more

For two of the last three plays, "Ladies Night Out" and "Steel Magnolias" I worked backstage. I've held season tickets each year for our not-so-little theater and been delighted time after time by the ... read more

  A gated entrance to this garden follows the principles of Feng Shui, inviting you to enter gracefully into the "house of water" - the area corresponding to an easy flow of life as prescribed by F... read more

It's just about time for the jacaranda trees to bloom, which blanket our lovely village in lavender. That will be exactly five years since I came to Ajijic, fell in love and purchased my home. The gard... read more

This article is Part 3 of Tony Burton's series: "Can Mexico's Largest Lake be Saved?" . Part 1: May, 1997 - Can Mexico's Largest Lake be Saved? Part 2: M... read more

As the legend goes, Dane Chandos came to Ajijic and made his house into an Inn and, in the process, met a mixed bag of people who also visited the place, which the author describes as "nestling between the lake and the paws of the mountains." There's a full-blooded Mexican Army general and an interesting French countess who arrives alone, wearing a mink stole who makes extravagant demands on the establishment. And there's a pedantic German professor who feels compelled to explain everything he encounters in scientific terms….and many many others. read more

My spies tell me that author Scofield used to live in Ajijic and that Lago de Luz, the setting for her novel, is in fact Ajijic. If so, here’s her description of the village: "Lago de Luz, on the altiplano far from the sea, where it is neither hot nor cold, boasts no buildings higher than two stories, and no slick discos. It is rather a sleepy place, swollen on weekends when musicians and vendors make the plaza festive for the tourists in from the nearby city. Resident Americans and Canadians make their own social life in their suburban enclaves and trailer parks, their apartments and houses, halls and meeting rooms. The Lakeside Society is the hub of activity, the place where everyone crosses, but there are many diversions: Elk Clubs, Rotarians, Veterans Clubs, Red Cross and all the interest groups, for cards and dominoes and self-improvement. " read more

A native of Guadalajara, artist Enrique Velazquez has made his home in Ajijic since 1989, painting and selling from his Arte Estudio on 16 de Septiembre, (a block east of Morelos), which he shares with his wife, Belva, also an artist. read more

Well, She came out to the lake again last Sunday. Driving in a specialized open car, The Virgin of Zapopan and the Bishop came from Her home, the Basilica of Zapopan to spend the day at the lake, bring... read more

Each year we must renew our FM3 visas. There's an easy way and a hard way. Guess which one I take? Yep, the hard way. I figure it saves me $50 and takes up two mornings. Time, I have plenty of now — ... read more

This morning, getting ready for my next vacation, I went to the Ajijic street market. I needed to stock up on dog food. I needed to make enough of it for a month! I picked up three bags of mixed chopp... read more

This article is Part 2 of Tony Burton's series: "Can Mexico's Largest Lake be Saved?" . Part 1: May, 1997 - Can Mexico's Largest Lake be Saved? Part 3: M... read more

Last week my good friend celebrated her sixtieth birthday with a once-in-a lifetime street party near Six Corners in the Village of Ajijic. Linda moved here four years ago after a thirty-four year care... read more

As a home-based working mother I recently found myself faced with an annual quandary: how to keep my two restless pre-teens entertained over their summer holiday and simultaneously squeeze some quality... read more

One of my readers asked me to talk about bugs and diseases. These are simply my experiences or observations and they apply to the Chapala/Ajijic lakeside area south of Guadalajara. I'm sure different p... read more