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.