Update on our life in Ajijic

I am really falling down updating everyone on our goings on recently but, truth be told, I sometimes wonder how on earth we used to find time to work - let alone work 10 or more hours a day.  It never used to seem possible that we would have a life outside of work but we are really making up for it now.

On Monday 11th June, straight after our Spanish class, we headed out to Mazamitla to spend a couple of days celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary.  The weather has been a bit weird this year so far because the usual rains of the rainy season which are usually considerate enough to only fall during the night, have been falling mostly during the day - very unusual and not good for my general demeanor.

As we headed up into the mountains the rain got heavier but not our spirits.  We love the little town of Mazamitla, it is somewhat touristy but very traditional Mexican at the same time - definitely not an ex-pat stronghold like Ajijic.  We stayed at a wonderful little bed and breakfast (their definition, not mine) called Hotel Cascada Real, that was really a group of little cabins and hotel rooms spread around the outside of a lovely orchard filled with orange, lemon, lime, mango, avocado, apple and several other types of trees.  The walkway to our cabin was lined with lavender plants and smelt heavenly and the cabin itself was really cute and cozy with a wood fireplace which we put to good use because it was cold and wet up there!

We did not have a kitchen, just a little place to make coffee or tea but we had some lovely meals in town in the evenings.

The first day we ate at Restaurante Troje de Mazami, a favorite eating place each time that we visit Mazamitla.

On Tuesday after breakfast in town (yes this bed and breakfast gives a breakfast coupon for a little restaurant in town) we drove out to the the waterfall (La Cascada El Salto) which is in a beautiful fraccionamento called Los Cazos.  We were able to drive quite close to the waterfall by paying the guard at the entrance to the fraccionamento 50 pesos.  The walk down to the waterfall and back up again was actually quite enough for us on that particular day.

We took time to drive around the beautiful fraccionamento enjoying the amazing houses and gardens snuggled in among the trees.

Our anniversary meal on a particularly cool evening was at Restaurant El Charco where we were greeted with dishes of fresh mango, salsa, chips and little cups of hot and spicy fish soup.

I opted for Shrimp wrapped in bacon and 'bathed in cheese' and was not disappointed.

Gerald went for a steak which he also thoroughly enjoyed.

On the way home, I made a quick stop at one of the little arborretes on a back street somewhere and picked up a little bottle of rompope (a Mexican drink along the lines of egg nogg, yes the one with alcohol in it he he) for which I payed only 26 pesos and it was good - just a little something to warm us in front of the fire when we went back to the cabin.

This past week has been another one of those very busy social calendar weeks that is so typical of our life here.  On Saturday we walked into town as is our custom while Lupita is cleaning for us - we split a nice burrito at La Casa del Cafe:

Then we checked out hotel Danza del Sol on the way home in preparation for Christmas when Angela, Eric and the kids are going to be staying there.

On Sunday 17th Robert came over and we barbecued Italian sausages and had fun playing a game of Mexican Train on the patio:

The next day we went our for supper with Ralph to Alex's Pasta, where I had the most amazing meal of Distufa di Manzo (Italian beef stew) and Gerald enjoyed a lovely shrimp dish.  Since I am busy trying to watch my intake of carbs, the stewed seemed like a good, non pasta option, though I did enjoy the gnocchi that were in it.

On Thursday we went to the Smoke House with Suzanne and Kelly for their 'all you can eat ribs' and 2 for 1 margaritas.. wow it looks as though all we have been doing recently is eating .. and eating out at restaurants at that.  We do normally cook and eat at home mostly but the way of life here just goes like that, some weeks life just seems to be one hectic social whirl of eating, drinking and playing with all of our friends.

On Saturday we walked into town, had coffee and waited for our favorite back street bakery (Panaderia Roja) to finish baking cinnamon rolls - we needed some for the brunch that we were hosting the next day but I think that Gerald just really needed a cinnamon roll fix because he had one eaten before we got home and of course we bought a few more than we needed for the brunch - memories of having to buy two loaves of french bread back in USA because at least a half of the loaf got eaten on the way home ha ha

Yes this is the oven than the cinnamon rolls are baked in

Sunday was a lot of fun, we ate brunch out on our beautiful patio and then moved indoors to the dining room where the six of us played Mexican train and the next thing that you know, we had spent nearly 6 hours over this brunch get together .. time really does fly when you are having fun with friends.

Tuesday is market day - this one is the organic market just down the hill from us.  I usually pick up a couple of things here but prefer the cheaper and more local Monday and Friday markets in Chapala and Jocotopec respectively.

Wednesday was quite a full day because we braved the downpour on Wednesday morning to go into town to watch the soccer game in the sports bar above the Jardin Plaza restaurant - there was a great atmosphere and it helped having some locals there because we got the low down on the Germany game as well even though it was not on TV at that time - Mexico still have a chance in spite of the lack of playing skills, just because Germany are out at this point ha ha  Of course we had breakfast there while watching the game.

This plate of 2 breakfast burritos cost only 49 pesos and it was good, the green juice was only 22 pesos

That evening and .. yes .. wait for it .. we were out eating yet agin.

This time, Manix were having their special pig roast event - we have never eaten at Manix yet and now we are wondering why on earth not.  The meal was absolutely amazing (at only 250 pesos each).  A roast suckling pig with crackling like I remember it from my childhood days, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, a broccoli/cauliflower mix, corn souffle and gravy followed by mango mousse .. all very yummy.  The music was outstanding and Gerald and I actually danced away some time .. we were with a very interesting group of 14 other people and I managed to get most everyone to change chairs part way through the evening so that we could all get to chat with everyone instead of just those within immediate earshot .. an excellent evening all round.

Hector attacking the pig

 

I even bumped into Robert our realtor

On Thursday Michael came over to watch the soccer game with us and then on Friday we had Suzanne and Kelly round for snacks, drinks and a game of Mexican train.

Which brings us back to another Saturday and another walk into town for coffee and a chat with Rob at the Dildoria - lots of good information from Rob about all the goings on at the hotel that he is a partner on.  They have an amazing social gathering on Friday evenings and yesterday they had to close the doors because there were already 80 people gathered there.  They are also organizing trips to Tequila (only 780 pesos) and they are also doing Indian cooking classes for only 400 pesos - yes so much still to explore, discover and enjoy so stay tuned y'all.