Walking along the the Lake Chapala waterfront in Ajijic, Jalisco, I cannot help but wonder if the “good old days” in the USA might once have been like this. There are couples strolling along the malecón and families gathered around large concrete picnic tables, feasting on the barbeque that has just come off the grill. Music can be heard, some from boom boxes and some from open windows and doorways on the streets just north of the malecón.
This Mexico is different from the Mexico one reads about in the newspaper. This is a gentle, peaceful Mexico. Certainly, there are criminals and drug lords but they represent a tiny fraction of the people. What I see here are common people, most of them poor, whose greatest joys in life involve doing simple things with their families…walking along the malecón, watching the boats on the lake or perhaps playing games with friends.
The weather in Ajijic is wonderful. Clear blue skies, cool nights and just barely warm days. The view of the lake from where I’m sitting is lovely. I feel like I’ve drifted back in time to a simpler life with simpler people.
There is evidence of the invasion of crass commercialism that promises to alter the attitudes and appeal of this idyllic place, but I will ignore what I cannot change and will simply enjoy my brief time in another century.
Thanks, John. I guess it is time to brush up on my Spanish!
Bev, the weather around Lake Chapala is warm (80s to 90s) in the daytime but cool (60s or lower) at night. I think there are many places outside towns that be available to rent, but it would be easiest to find them through a Spanish speaking real estate agent, I think. The rainy season is from May through September.
Hi John. I’ve been enjoying your dispatches from Mexico. Serious questions here. What is the weather like around that area in summertime? Also, I wonder if it would be difficult to rent a place that is off outside the towns? As you know, I have been trying to find out that kind of info.
Robin, we have left the Lake Chapala area but may spend a couple of days there…if so I will take pics. Yep, Chapala does have a big ex-pat population.
I think Lake Chapala also has a fairly large ex-pat community. My brother-in-law moved there almost a decade ago. He loves it. Are you taking any pics? I’d love to see it.