1.5 miles up hill both ways

By our house here in Ajijic, is a path up the side of the mountain that goes to a small chapel (Mission) where folks hike to get a workout and possibly some spirituality, what ever you believe in.

We started walking the trail last week 1.5 miles to the chapel, and it is not for the faint of heart, in places the path is narrow, the rocks are loose, it gets steep, and I'm not getting any younger, at least thats my story. We met an elderly Mexican man who was coming down from the farthest point of the hike, which is WAY past the chapel, all the way to the top of the mountain, a 6 hr hike. He said he started before daylight with his flashlight, and it was about 11am and he was still going strong, he said he has been doing this same hike since he was a young boy with his father, something to be said about hiking or at least walking more than just to the car and back.

                                                                   
                                                                    The Mission

Mural inside the mission

We made it!

Our HERO on his way down, after 6hrs, 

just like it was nothing!

Ahhhh ... the Artists

Out the door in search of some art supplies so Suzanne can actually start drawing and enjoy not working.   We headed down into the village with a purpose, not just for supplies but also to explore. The first little spot was out of most supplies as the schools have started and this one is closest to one of them, but still we found some #2 pencils. Knowing this was not going to be as easy as first thought, we headed to a few galleries and then into a well known and respected artist's studio. The artist, Efren Gonzales, is one of the notable artists and muralists of Mexico, his work can be seen all around Ajijic, some of his murals grace the complete sides of buildings here. He and Suzanne struck up a conversation about a graphite drawing of a Shaman that was on his wall done by another notable Mexican artist, Javier Ramos, who just then stopped in to the studio and NOW Suzanne is going to be studying with him for some personal lessons, and maybe me too, he made us feel so welcome.

This is one of Efrens many murals in the village

My First Time...

I mean my first time to get a CLOSE shave with an old fashion straight razor, you know the kind in the GODFATHER movie. Suzanne and I were walking in town and she said "Oh, Look a Barber Shop, don't you need a haircut."  Well, DUH, of course, but the eye catcher was the straight razor on his counter and the price of 30 pesos $2.00 & change for a shave. I'M SOLD. The nicest young guy, maybe 30 at the most gave me a wonderful haircut, and to top it off, I got my first straight razor shave... Smooth as a baby's ..s  80 pesos all together shave and all, less than $7.00 US.

Then, off we went to Francisco's micro-taqueria and had a wonderful lunch, and great conversation with Francisco, who would like to learn more English, Suzanne did study English  Lit in college and we both have had some Spanish here and there, so he would like to give us Spanish lessons in trade for English lessons for him and his sisters. Maybe we will get this in the works, he is a very nice guy. What a great day in the village!





 

Life after work " WORKING" what's up!

As the title of our blog is "Life after Work",  I thought going on a 3 month Mexican vacation would be basking in the warmth of the beautiful climate we chose and going to the Tiengas (street markets) for fresh fruits and wonderful veggies, all the while enjoying the culture and hospitality of this wonderful country.  As some of you know me, If something is not right an urge in me takes over and some how, some way, I end up involved in getting the project off the ground, or in this case IN THE GROUND! When we arrived our pool was dry, do to it loosing almost 18" of water daily, so it was best to drain it and find the culprit, so guess who is now involved. After working on it for four days we will fill it back up on Saturday, and hope the vacation part resumes quickly.
                                                            MAN it's a BIG POOL!

Wake up!

It is now the time of celebration of many of the cherished spiritual figures, and one of them is La Virgin del Rosario or, Our Lady Of the Rosary, so at the crack of dawn the cohetes de trueno or sky rockets blast off to call the parishioners to the Mañanitas or Rosary procession to the church. From 5:30 AM to 6:00 AM we hear fireworks followed by church bells calling the faithful to early Mass.....better than an alarm clock beeping, although frightening to our dog, Lola, who leaped up into bed with us, trembling like a leaf.  This will last thru all of October until the statue of the Virgin del Rosario is paraded back to her home cathedral in an impressive procession/celebration followed by an evening fiesta in the plaza.

Worth it All

Since we started this blog we have had the ups and downs of trying to figure out the how, the where, and the, "Oh my,  I no longer have a job."  Well all of those thoughts and fears just melted away, as today we walked down to the town square, had coffee and did some relaxing in the sun of Mexico.

Finding that what we really have is each other and our good health in the these important years of life. No matter where you are or how your situation makes you feel, stop and look around.  I feel very fortunate to have the love of my life, our very valued friends and some time left on our clock.

Yes I think it's worth it all......

Mission accomplished

The day came to board the plane for Mexico, we have things for an arctic blizzard to a desert safari, 8 suitcases with ¥%£€ only knows what's in them, going thru security, all our stuff on the conveyer belt, a woman behind us said "I can't believe this!... AND TO MY SURPRISE, Suzanne turned and said "IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR OWN AIRPLANE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE WAIT BEHIND "RIFFRAFF!,". - traveler called Suzanne a name, & my wife responded in kind , I just stood back and smiled :) I was very quiet & proud of her.

To LA, a 5hr layover and, we have Lola. If you go with an animal and have a layover of more than 4 hrs you have to get your animal from baggage claim go outside the security area, to the pet area for 4 hrs, to an area that's smaller than an astro-turfed  jail cell, go back thru security, TSA and hope things go well and Lola gets boarded for Mexico !  Suzanne sat upstairs in the secure area, across from or IN the sports bar, not sure which. Lola and I did our thing and all went well.  On to Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, customs, green light.....keep going, don't look back.  Looking for Luis,our driver, ...we kept waiting....a Mexican guy came up to us after awhile & said , "Are you Kelly & Suzanne"?.....we happily said "yes" & Luis said he was looking for a lesbian couple named Kelly & Suzanne :)!!!