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The Power of the Forums
An example of how the forums can be used to significant value . . .
Ajijic-Lake Chapala Forum
Original Post June 20, 2003 by Rocky 57Hi All,
I am going to be in Ajijic for two weeks starting on the 28th of June. Since everyone was talking about nothing to talk about - how about this...
If you only had two weeks, what would you see & what would you do in and around the Lake Chapala area? I, of course, have some ideas and things that I want to do & see but any new ideas would be warmly welcomed.
I also wanted to say that I can't say enough about how helpful everyone has been. The cost of the subscription is the best money I have spent in a long time. You are a great group of folks.
Thanks
The Elusive GrandpaResponses:
I would spend time sitting in every town square along Lakeside. On Sunday evenings in Joco there is a ceremony where the country girls come to town and dance in circles (Paul Jones style) in order to meet boys.
I would do an escorted day trip into Tonala and Telaquepacque (sp).
I would go see the Ballet Folkloric (sp).
If I was considering moving here I would take the Behind the Walls tour through Ajijic Real Estate. The money goes to benefit a local charity.
I would wander through Superlake and El Toroito and look at the gringo prices and decide on ways to save money by buying Mexican products.
Every day at sunset I would take a chair to the beach and watch the sunset. It's especially nice during the rainy season.
I would also find a nice indoor spot where I could watch the spectacular lightening storms.
I would go to the market in Joco on Thursdays. The largest one at Lakeside.
I would do some other escorted trip to Guadalajara Centro.
I would have a siesta every afternoon.
I would go to the baths/swimming pools in San Juan Cosala. (Mineral Baths)
Now if you are thinking of living here I would have other suggestions.
Georgia - Jun 20, 2003, 2:39 PM
Post #3 of 9 (405 views)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small additiions to the list:
On Sunday, after the Balet Folklorico in Guad, go over an take in a charreada (rodeo) near the park. Fantastic two hours of fun! Nice crowd. Very exciting horsemanship.
While at San Juan Cosala, have a massage.
Decide which is your favorite brand of tequila. This takes a lot of work!
Experiment with new fruits and vegetables. Go out for breakfast and eat chilaquiles-- fantastic! You'll never go home.
On a Thursday or a Sunday take in the tianguis in Tonala. You may never be found again, but it will be fun getting lost there.
Just ride the buses.
Frank Burton - Jun 20, 2003, 11:33 PM
Post #4 of 9 (374 views)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great questions. Small refinements and additions to the list (and I believe that Rocky57 is considering moving here, based on other posts):
Spend a few minutes each browsing the bulletin boards at LCS, El Torito, and Super Lake.
Spend a few minutes touring the gardens at Lake Chapala Society, and an hour or so quizzing the volunteer at the Information Desk (between 10 and 2, M-Sat, I believe).
Secure and read the current issues of "El Ojo del Lago" and "Lake Chapala Review". Consider subscribing to one of them to be sent "back home" as a way to stay in touch with the area, supplementing Mexconnect.
I believe Charter Club Tours is still doing a Thursday trip to Tonala and Tlaquepaque; while they only allow a couple of hours at the Tonala market, they also sample other interesting, fun places in those two artsy/craftsy towns such as a glass-blowing factory, Ken Edwards stoneware factory, and a paper mache factory (I assume the specific places change from time to time). . . . And, being on the tour makes getting lost in Tonala a bit more difficult. Now is that an advantage or a disadvantage?
(Possibly on the other escorted trip to Guadalajara Centro that Tuatha_de_Danann suggested) See the cathedral, Plaza Tapatio, the Orozco paintings in the Hospicio Cabanas, and Mercado Libertad, all of which are within about a half-mile walk.
Rocky57 Jun 21, 2003, 7:53 AM
Post #5 of 9 (355 views)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excellent. Thanks for all the suggestions. I will print these out and bring them with me.
Frank is correct. I am looking for a place to settle down. So far, I really like what I have heard and the attitude of the people that I have come into contact with. If the two weeks go well (I have every intention of falling in love with the area), I will see if the budget will allow 6 -12 month stay starting around the January time frame. I am 57 and I will have to see if the savings will carry me over till 62.
Thanks again for the things to do.
The Elusive Grandpa
Ian - Jun 21, 2003, 2:05 PM
Post #6 of 9 (322 views)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Rocky. I'd add just one thing to these great suggestions. Make sure you get as much face time as possible with people who have gone through the move and can add a lot of good info based on personal experience. I'd be the first to volunteer, but we're hiding out in the great green north while some messy reno work is going on at our Mexican home. We did the two week gig last year and really benefitted from personal contacts in the expat community. Also, just wandering around and hangin' out is a good way to soak up the atmosphere and you will always find yourself striking up conversations with strangers....some of whom may become friends in the future. Have a blast!
"always let sleeping dogs lie"
Rocky 57 Re: After the trip.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The aftermath...now that the reintegration has mainly been performed (you will be assimilated) and I have had some time to look back.
First. Thanks for all the suggestions. In two weeks, I barely scratched the list. I enjoyed the mineral baths, got probably the best massage I have ever had, sat in the Plaza at Ajijic & Chapala & San Antonio and watched the people. Played some golf with Victor (a local I met from Guadalajara). Rode the buses (all 3 classes) and learned that most people were okay with my poor Spanish, just as long as I made the attempt to speak it.
Made some very good friends that gave of their time and experience freely. That was greatly appreciated. As was going out of their way to include me in trips to the markets in Chapala and Guadalajara. A visit to Club De Ninos gave me an feel for the good that I could be involved in.
Going to these places was very important to my basic purpose for this vacation. To see if I could adjust to and live in a comfortable fashion with the culture. I was also shown that "YES" there is plenty for me to do. The personal development, social action and education groups alone could run one ragged. Living in Mexico takes more time than I am used to. I am used to the micro minute meal and on to other (more important?) things. Stopping to live and enjoy the moment sounds like such a cliche but it is so true. The time it took me to realize this and then to accept this was at least humorous, if not down right hillarious. I gradually learned to live in the moment (relax and enjoy the conversation) and let the waiter show up when he shows up. I picked up the phrase "in a Mexican minute" from Yoli. How true.
When I came back to my "real world", I found it to be the unnatural one. The pace and the way of life there feels right. Here, it is frantic. Everything here demands my immediate attention, my intervention to, my involvement. There it is healthy. And things happen when they happen. Much more desirable!
I know this comes off a little ideallic. I have seen friends wait hours and then days for a delivery in Ajijic. Life is not perfect. It just isn't. But given the option of quality of life - I choose Mexico.
Now I just have to work out how soon I can afford the move. And more importantly, how much it will cost me to wait!
The Elusive Grandpa
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