Some Random Acts of Kindness…

More observations from Ajijic…

This is the view from our Mirador a platform on the roof of our house.

The Mexican community here in Ajijic continues to amaze me with their kindness.  Everyone you meet on the street will greet you with Buenos Dias, or Bien Dia with a smile on their face.  While in a mall where there were stairs, Trish was having a bit of difficulty descending and a young man offered his arm for support.  While we were waiting for our transportation, a young girl from a shop selling kitchen ware, invited her to a small table to sit  and rest for a while, then brought over a small container of cookies and opened it and gave her one….not wanting money, just showing concern.

The best example so far, was during a parade, when we were looking for a Thai restaurant and were having trouble finding it.  A pick-up Police vehicle stopped and asked if we needed assistance.  They told us where the restaurant was, and then to our astonishment, the officer said, “Here is my badge number and my cell phone number.  If you need further help, do not hesitate to call”.

I am getting used to taking the bus down to the Lake Society for my “Stretch and Aleve” and writing class and young people will often offer me a seat if the bus is crowded.  However once I have a firm grip on one of the bus supports, I hate to give it up.  The busses charge 8 pesos which is about 42 cents and travels from Chapala to Ajijic and the next three towns, a distance of probably 25 miles.

We continue to discover sources for everyday needs right close by.  Within easy walking distance, we have a mall with a great food court, Tel Cell office,  clothing stores, grocery, WalMart, wine and liquor stores, office supply pharmacies and at least 20 great restaurants and small family shops offering everything from Argentine beef steaks, to small taco shops.  Many times we see a small frontage shop that does not look too appealing until you step inside and it opens into a beautiful garden setting.

Every morning when we walk down the hill from our home for coffee we pass a large Pemex gas station.  And, every day there are a number of semi-trucks waiting to fill up and ALL of them are Coca-Cola trucks.  Double Semi-trucks can be seen everywhere.  In the stores, entire isles are filled with liters of Coke. Here it is the Mexican drug of choice.  The difference between Mexican Coke and the coke in America is often due to pure cane sugar as well as fructose.  Sadly many babies are given Coke as early as 6 months leading to childhood obesity and diabetes.  70,000 Mexicans die each year from Type 2 diabetes and the average consumption of Coke is 500 cans of Coke per person each year.  As of yet, I have not tried it, but am not sure I want to....check that...I did try it and found it to VERY sweet for my taste.

The Plaza at Ajijic (prounced Ah-ha-heek) is always a surprise.  During the main Fiesta the plaza is filled with booths, food, and music, children's rides etc.  Then the next time we go there is nothing, but now with the Christmas season upon us, there are new vendors, and happenings and we don't know what is causing them.   This morning there was a parade with bands, singing and at least 25 horses going down the street.  As I might have mentioned, there are no guns in Mexico but there are explosions to celebrate everything.  Not glistening fireworks, but just bombs.  They start at 5:30 EVERY morning signaling all of the faithful to Church.  Again at six, six-thirty and 7.  From then on, there are vollleys throughout the day and into the night.  Eventually, you get so used to them, you hardly notice.

This last weekend  in honor of a Saint Guadalupe there were numerous booths and food vendors.  These two women built a small fire and heated up a thin metal grill, then taking a ball of blue masa, patted it flat  and made original blue corn tortillas. Once grilled, the other woman toasted them and added some meat or beans and salsa. A fresh taco was about 25-30 cents and a couple was about all you need.

This woman also made tortillas but she would just throw them on the open fire to brown them.  Once done, she had clay pots  simmering with all kinds of topping. If you look carefully you can see the fire below the main pot where she toasted her tortillas.

















I wish you could  smell the fresh, smoky flavor, smell the cilantro, onions, tomatoes, but it is only a prelude to the taste the fresh beans, queso fresco and pulled pork.  Fortunately, we did not bring a scale with us, but I am thinking I have put on a little weight.  But.....who cares.  I am walking daily and feeling great.  Enjoy.