More amazing acts of kindness

OK! OK! OK !  So I have been somewhat lax in my posting about our Ajijic adventure.  So much is going on that it is difficult to get the time to write.  I hear from both Angie and Trish frequently,  “You need to put that in your blog yada, yada, yada"…so here goes.

I will preface this by saying Ajijic is a typical Mexican community....not rich in money but rich in attitude, family, work ethic and the understanding that they may not have much, but they are willing to share with others who need help.  Unlike a portion of the American Society, they are embarrassed to ask for help of any kind if they truly do not need it.  Most times if one sees another needs help, they do what they can to help, looking for nothing in return.  Someone may help you fix a car and in return, the recipient  may bring you a bunch of tortillas and a chicken in return.

We can’t get by random acts of kindness.  For people with very little, there is always time to celebrate something.  Celebrations are almost constant approaching Lent which started yesterday.  It seems everyone wants to “party hearty” until they have some religious restrictions. The last couple of weeks celebrated CARNIVAL….Lots of concerts, bands, art shows, dancers, etc.  But what was truly amazing to us was the generosity of the Mexican people.  

Last weekend we stumbled on a Carnival celebration by the lake.  Drawn because of a Mexican Band, we wandered over.  Soon over 40 horse riders came to the scene and the horses danced to the music. 

Tables were set up for over two hundred people and several restaurants or food suppliers, who did no advertising supplied food for everyone there which by this time was around 400-to 500.  The more people who came, the more food was brought in.   There was also a truck with mixers and free tequila to everyone as well.  Many of the people attending brought their own bottle and were more than happy to share it with all.  All of the cowboys on the horses were passing a bottle down the line of horses and having a great time.  I certainly hope the horses knew their way home because those cowboys couldn't find their hat later in the evening.   People danced, laughed, and families were smilling…..then guess what???    They did again it for two more nights.  We could not

help but think about the US where one could not hand out free food and alcohol,  have to have permits, insurance, licenses, whatever and charge, limit your food and drink, etc. etc. etc.  

Here no one is thinking about suing...It is just people giving back to the community and not asking for anything in return.

The last few days before Lent, there were parades and festivities, and because of Mardi Gras, and Valentine’s Day, even more festivities.  A tradition for the Mardi Gras  in Ajijic is to throw…(not beads) but FLOUR a symbol of good luck for the following year.  People are covered with white flour, cars, streets, dogs and cats.  Lots of singing an dancing until the wee hours of the morning. 

A trip down town on Wednesday morning was unique because most were sleeping in after the festivities, but today, Thursday everything is back to normal.  We still spend a lot of time marveling at the love and generosity of everyone and look forward to the “Buenos Dias,  Bien Dia, or just Hola when meeting anyone here.

Life is good...