My 2020 Mexican Vacation

Thank you to Bethany Leigh or this beautiful photo!

Where to begin?...Well, how about at the beginning!
So much has changed for me since I was last here with husband, Alan. It seems like not so much has changed here in Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico, northwest of Guadalajara on Lake Chapala.

We moved from a Chicago suburb to Indianapolis in late 2015. Alan died in July 2016 after a long illness and I have blogged {LINK} about it. I am so grateful to have my entire family near me. We have so much fun together and my grandchildren are just the best! Kiddie Kwotes: Chloe (9)-"Gigi, you are really old, but you have a young soul." After our trip to the Stutz Bearcat Museum, Jack: "That was the best museum I've ever been to!"

Both Alan and I left a little part of our hearts in Ajijic When we left for the last time in March 2012! We owned a house here for five years and the plan was to live part time in both Aijic and Chicago taking advantage of the best climates of each. Expectations often result in disappointment!

This is a view of the house we owned at Paseo de la Colima

This is how we decided what color to paint the house

Casa Tecolote

This is the color we painted it with teal trim. Casa Tecolote translates to "Owl House."

This is what the house looks like in 2020-painted again. It must be called the "doghouse" now! It has been enlarged and the owners have added a pool.

For about 3 years, Ajijic has been calling to me; I decided it was high time I returned to see for myself if the charm was still there. It was easy to book an AirBnB here, and I did so last March to ensure availability.

When I first arrived, my Super-Host, Mike, took me to Walmart to buy a few things for breakfast tomorrow. So nice of him! Day 2 was a bit on the cold side but I got out to explore anyway. Normal is 70-75 degrees year around. It was cloudy and only got to about 55...climate change?

View from the rooftop Mirador of my BnB on a cloudy day

Some views during my walk around town

A great BnB we stayed in once

Day three rained all day and I stayed in and crocheted and read! Rain is most unusual for this time of year!

Day 4-I way anxious to get out and walk some more to some of my favorite places and to see if they really still were here!

Below is a list I found while looking back at my blogs on Ajijic. I posted it on our last visit in 2012. So, things haven't changed that much; it's a sleepy little village with some more active than others. I copied the list to compare and crossed out things that are not here and highlighted additions in color:
-warm sun on the patio and following its path as the day goes on.
-frequently being in awe!
-having DSL internet WIFI in the house; it is our connection to family and life back home
-watching flowers bloom each day in my  the yard.
-having so many fruit trees in the yard and fresh orange juice daily Picking up oranges daily at little fruit stands
-weekly open-air fresh vegetable and fruit market-it is still on Wednesday
-buying prepared Mexican-style foods at Walmart and not having to cook
-really inexpensive meals when we go out to eat. It has gotten more and more expensive here, though, over the years that we have been coming.
-weekly crochet and knit group-it's called "A String Thing" here Sad!
-enjoying the slow pace here; lots of spare time to read and crochet!
-I actually enjoy hanging clothes out to dry on the line in the sun. Older now: using a washer and dryer!
-much more traffic in town; they are building a bike path.

Day 5-I wanted to revisit the weekly market that sets up every
Wednesday on one particular street. I think I was overwhelmed. I only bought some peanuts and a favorite candy!

I thought you'd enjoy seeing needlework items and Omega thread for sale!

Flowers for sale