What A Great Time!

Today while riding on the upper deck of an open-air tourist bus around Guadalajara, we were literally drinking in the sunshine! Oh, must we return to winter weather!! We have enjoyed nearly every moment of this vacation in Mexico.
Yesterday morning we did another timeshare presentation because there wasn't time to do much else before hopping on the 20 minute plane ride from Puerto Vallerta back to Guadalajara (it saves 5 miserable hours on a bus to fly). The salesman was so rude and pushy there was nearly a fight! We had been teasing the night before that sitting through timeshare presentations might be a great full-time job for a retiree living in Mexico, but we found out that we are not cut out for it! We did receive our gifts without the security guard being called to escort us out so all-in-all it was a successful morning. They fed us a most delicious breakfast and we saw many dolphins playing offshore! As they say in Spanish, Esta padre! (It was cool!)
We went to a wonderful craft town this morning full of colonial buildings and colorful pottery. We have only one more meal in Mexico and it will take our willpower not to eat at La Chata's again. The food there is far too tasty!
Our room here, found on hotwire, is by far the fanciest! Pillowtop mattresses and real pillows sure beat sleeping on a rollaway mattress on the floor (Only Jodi suffered through this; what we do for love!)

In Puerto Vallarta

.We arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Saturday afternoon and found our dwelling. We have a nice little casita located in the Colonial center of town near the Cathedral. Ours is the smallest of the spaces in this delightful set of seven villas. There is a pool with gardens and a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. We are atop a very steep hill that runs down four blocks to the boardwalk, the Maledon. All along the boardwalk every block or so there are interesting sculptures, restaurants and shops. We have spent the last two nights walking the sun go down over the waves; there is a large pirate ship that lights up at night that is fun to watch.
We sat through a timeshare presentation in Nueva Vallarta, the huge new part of the city with the all-inclusive resorts, and received a colorful yarn painting as a gift, Keith has had his eye on them for many years. The property was impressive, but we have no interest or funds for such a luxury.
Yesterday evening we walked up and down the Rio Cuale Isle, very pretty with flowers and palm trees.
Today we took a day trip that involved snorkeling, hiking to and swimming in a waterfall, whale watching, dance contests, and much more. Shana did it all, she is a very good sport and doesn't hesitate to try it all
We are having a nice time here. The weather is warm and sunny, but not uncomfortably hot. This is a great time of year to be here beachside!!
Keith is doing better everyday. He sometimes opts out of walks and the other strenuous activities. He enjoys talking with people and is doing a lot of reading.
Tomorrow in the early afternoon we return to Guadalajara where we will spend two nights before flying home on Thursday. I will try to post some pictures a little later.

You can't stay forever...

Lake Chapala is a wonderful place to visit and would be an awesome choice for part-time living, October-April!! The weather is absolutely perfect, sunny, little wind, cool at night. We met so many interesting people here, mostly Canadian retirees.
Yesterday, Friday, we watched the Utes win on a big screen TV at Tom’s Bar which was nearly empty, thank goodness~ not too much cigarette smoke. Yes, Keith can no longer claim that he has never watched a football game, but it was a good game to break his perfect record.
Earlier in the day Shana & Keith were seriously considering staying on in Ajijic for another month; we spent a little time looking for a 2 bdrm casita, but no luck. If we had thought of it earlier in the week I would be coming home alone on the 8th!
Shana & I found the Yacht Club, which is a swank country club and inquired about sailing on the giant lake. It is done, though not in this ‘cold season’. We had to giggle at locals in their coats; we are warm in our light pants and a short-sleeved shirt. I guess even weather is perceived from your own lived experience.
We spent an hour or so at The Lake Chapala Society which is a city block space filled with gardens, tables for people to gather, casitas, information tables about upcoming events & tours, a lending library of both books and DVDs, game rooms, and lots more. It would be a very easy way to meet people because they sponsor all kinds of social activities and volunteering opportunities. They were able to point us in the direction of the Yacht Club and a legal office to begin the process to obtain Mexican medical insurance. It’s a very impressive organization in beautifully manicured gardens of tropical and succulent plants.
We did stroll through many art galleries and shops yesterday. We were considering purchasing an original painting but because it was recently featured on the cover of the Lake Chapala Review, the shop owner wasn’t sure of the selling price.
On the 1st day of 2009, Shana & I returned to the mineral springs baths and just relaxed the day away. Keith wanted to finish his book. We didn’t stay up late to usher in the New Year, however the neighbors did until the wee hours of the morning. Traditions for the New Year include burning bonfires in the streets along with booming fireworks (without colorful lights & colors, just noise.) The towns were smoky the next day; Shana’s eyes were quite irritated from the ash dust.
We had great fun going out to dinner with Peter, our Ajijic real estate agent, & his wife Elaine in Chapala Town on the 1st. The lakeside was packed with families, but we were able to get a table right away! They have lived here for 4 years and really love it!
We haven’t had a bad meal yet! The Mexican food all around the lake was outstanding; we’ve had some nice fish as well. It’s off to Weight Watchers for all three of us on our return.