On Sunday, we did a bus tour into the downtown and historic center of Guadalajara. Maggie, a friend of Kate’s who is visiting with Kate and Jack, was interested. Although Barb and I have gone in to Guadalajara quite a few times, we had never had the courage to go to the downtown area. Thus, we thought the bus tour would be a good way to get introduced and find our way. We all purchased tickets, but then Maggie came down with a bug only a day or so after arriving. She is not sure if it was something she got here or a bug that she got some years ago on a trip somewhere; that bug periodically flares up. At any rate, she was not well enough to go. Thus, the other four of us went in while Maggie spent most of the day in bed. She seemed to get better on Monday.
Guadalajara was founded by the Spanish in the 1540s. However, the buildings in this downtown and historic center, including the cathedral, were built much more recently. One of the features of Mexico is that they have encouraged and commissioned their artists to decorate their public buildings and spaces with statues and murals commemorating their history. The latter involves recurring bouts of serious conflicts. We went through a number of the historic buildings, including the cathedral. Guadalajara is an archdiocese and several of its archbishops have been cardinals. This includes the archbishop who was murdered about 12 years ago in a very notorious assassination. We also got a chance to go into the opera house. It is huge and very impressive. It has an enormous stage, a fresco ceiling and 5 rows of box seats up to the ceiling along both sides (like European opera houses). We also had close to 2 hours to get something to eat and stroll around. The four of us went to a huge market with many small stores and eating places. That is where we ate. It was an adventure because no one spoke English and we really didn’t know what we were going to get when we ordered. We discovered that under all the parks and walkways there are parking lots. Getting there is also more straight forward than I had imagined. I think that I would be willing to tackle it in future, especially going early on Sunday. When we arrived before 10 a.m., there were not many people around. However, by 2 when we were getting back on the bus (they took us around to other areas of Guadalajara before driving us back to Ajijic), the crowds were building.
Today, Tuesday, the 3 women (Kate, Maggie and Barb) drove in to Tlaquepaque to shop and look around. Jack had to go to the dentist and I decided not to go. Most people enjoy going there and this was no exception.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Health Care in Mexico
We seem to be past the cooler weather and it is getting warmer. Ever since we returned, the low temperatures outside in the morning have not been below 11 C and they have been getting higher. The last 2 mornings, the low temps have been above 14 C (i.e., about 57 F for the celsius challenged). Inside the house, our low temps are 18 - 19 C. Some plants go semi-dormant during this ‘winter’; spring for the flowers apparently comes in February and they begin to grow again.
Barb finally got her new front loading wash machine. She was frustrated with the one that was here when we came because she felt that it was hard on the clothes, tangling them, etc. She is pleased with it. Then, we had to decide what to do with the old one. There are some orphanages in the area, one in Chapala called Amor en Acción (Love in Action). Barb had been interested in this charity. They had a map of their location on the website; it was good that they did so because the building is located well off the highway , up the mountain quite a way, and a number of turns on back streets.. We got there and Barb went in to ask if they wanted the washer. The woman she met did not speak terrific English, but definitely indicated that they would like the washer. They are going to come to our place to pick it up.
The next item on our agenda is arranging our health care down here. We have found some information on the Focus on Mexico website. There is a national government sponsored health care system, IMSS (INSTITUTO MEXICANO DEL SEGURO SOCIAL). It is available for foreigners with FM3 like us; it is relatively inexpensive (about 3,000 pesos or less than $300 per year). However, one has to use their doctors and facilities. According to the above site, many expats get it but use it only for big emergencies. Also, the Maskaras Clinic has a plan for about $200 per year per person that gives unlimited office visits plus discounts of various kinds (see the page on same website). We already go to Dr. Garcia at that clinic so it makes sense to get that plan. We still have to find out about private insurance plans down here or decide to pay as we go. Most care, including doctors and hospitals are much less than in Canada and certainly costs are tiny compared to the US. Also, contrary to the views of most Americans and Canadians, the health care and doctors are as good as those north of the border (again see the evaluation on the above site). What they say there accords with our experience. Moreover, one gets taken care of very fast, often the next day to see a specialist or get some procedure done.
Since we arrived, we have been noticing some rather large insects. Barb found them rather interesting and we had been picking them up and throwing them out rather than killing them. Well we finally looked them up. It turns out that they are ‘las cucarachas’--cockroaches (we didn’t know that is what the song is about)! We had some evenings found up to a dozen or so in the kitchen around the sink, most of more medium size; they all disappeared by morning. Identifying them completely changed our interest; now it is how to get rid of them. That has turned out to be easier than we thought,. It seems that they especially like to live in drains. By keeping the kitchen drains covered, we have virtually eliminated them from the kitchen. There are still some outside and doubtless a few will find their way in through the doors. With everything cement and tiles, there are no breeding places inside.
Barb finally got her new front loading wash machine. She was frustrated with the one that was here when we came because she felt that it was hard on the clothes, tangling them, etc. She is pleased with it. Then, we had to decide what to do with the old one. There are some orphanages in the area, one in Chapala called Amor en Acción (Love in Action). Barb had been interested in this charity. They had a map of their location on the website; it was good that they did so because the building is located well off the highway , up the mountain quite a way, and a number of turns on back streets.. We got there and Barb went in to ask if they wanted the washer. The woman she met did not speak terrific English, but definitely indicated that they would like the washer. They are going to come to our place to pick it up.
The next item on our agenda is arranging our health care down here. We have found some information on the Focus on Mexico website. There is a national government sponsored health care system, IMSS (INSTITUTO MEXICANO DEL SEGURO SOCIAL). It is available for foreigners with FM3 like us; it is relatively inexpensive (about 3,000 pesos or less than $300 per year). However, one has to use their doctors and facilities. According to the above site, many expats get it but use it only for big emergencies. Also, the Maskaras Clinic has a plan for about $200 per year per person that gives unlimited office visits plus discounts of various kinds (see the page on same website). We already go to Dr. Garcia at that clinic so it makes sense to get that plan. We still have to find out about private insurance plans down here or decide to pay as we go. Most care, including doctors and hospitals are much less than in Canada and certainly costs are tiny compared to the US. Also, contrary to the views of most Americans and Canadians, the health care and doctors are as good as those north of the border (again see the evaluation on the above site). What they say there accords with our experience. Moreover, one gets taken care of very fast, often the next day to see a specialist or get some procedure done.
Since we arrived, we have been noticing some rather large insects. Barb found them rather interesting and we had been picking them up and throwing them out rather than killing them. Well we finally looked them up. It turns out that they are ‘las cucarachas’--cockroaches (we didn’t know that is what the song is about)! We had some evenings found up to a dozen or so in the kitchen around the sink, most of more medium size; they all disappeared by morning. Identifying them completely changed our interest; now it is how to get rid of them. That has turned out to be easier than we thought,. It seems that they especially like to live in drains. By keeping the kitchen drains covered, we have virtually eliminated them from the kitchen. There are still some outside and doubtless a few will find their way in through the doors. With everything cement and tiles, there are no breeding places inside.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Rain in January!
We did go to the MAS concert. The pianists were really outstanding. However, most of the programme was of modern works and I often find that music jarring and not very melodic; yes, I know that that shows me to be old fashioned and not very with it. So be it!
I have to take back some of what I have been saying about the weather; it is not as monotonous as I have been saying. The forecasts had been saying that it was going to rain, but I did not believe them. Yesterday, late in the afternoon, it got very cloudy and dark as if it were going to rain. In fact, there were a few drops; I really mean a few and if you were not quick, they dried up and disappeared without a trace. A little while later, it brightened and there were breaks in the clouds. In other words virtually nada (notice the Spanish). This afternoon, it again clouded over and there was even some distant rumbling of thunder. I thought, here we go again. But to my surprise, it did actually rain. It was never hard and eventually (after about an hour) had diminished to drizzle and then stopped. But it was enough to get the ground wet. We went out under the gazebo with a glass of wine to enjoy the rain. This is not very usual this time of year. Jack and Kate said it never happened last year. The latter had an engagement just as the rain was heaviest, but with the rain they were unable to get a taxi. We gave them a lift. It is not raining now in the evening so I expect that they will be able to make their way home.
There are things to do almost every day. Today, there was a woman from Haiti visiting and gave a talk. Following in her father’s footsteps, she is involved in trying to provide an example of good ecology. Apparently, her farm area is practically the only area in the entire country with any significant amount of trees and vegetation. Haiti is notoriously deforested and severely eroded as a result. Slowly, others are beginning to get the idea and follow the example. It was very interesting to hear her interpretation of Haiti’s history.
I have to take back some of what I have been saying about the weather; it is not as monotonous as I have been saying. The forecasts had been saying that it was going to rain, but I did not believe them. Yesterday, late in the afternoon, it got very cloudy and dark as if it were going to rain. In fact, there were a few drops; I really mean a few and if you were not quick, they dried up and disappeared without a trace. A little while later, it brightened and there were breaks in the clouds. In other words virtually nada (notice the Spanish). This afternoon, it again clouded over and there was even some distant rumbling of thunder. I thought, here we go again. But to my surprise, it did actually rain. It was never hard and eventually (after about an hour) had diminished to drizzle and then stopped. But it was enough to get the ground wet. We went out under the gazebo with a glass of wine to enjoy the rain. This is not very usual this time of year. Jack and Kate said it never happened last year. The latter had an engagement just as the rain was heaviest, but with the rain they were unable to get a taxi. We gave them a lift. It is not raining now in the evening so I expect that they will be able to make their way home.
There are things to do almost every day. Today, there was a woman from Haiti visiting and gave a talk. Following in her father’s footsteps, she is involved in trying to provide an example of good ecology. Apparently, her farm area is practically the only area in the entire country with any significant amount of trees and vegetation. Haiti is notoriously deforested and severely eroded as a result. Slowly, others are beginning to get the idea and follow the example. It was very interesting to hear her interpretation of Haiti’s history.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Ballet Folklorico
We are still recuperating from the trip. As is frequently the case when I fly, I got a cold. However, I took a couple of days having naps and resting and am now recovering. Barb has been a bit slower than we hoped. However, our trip was very uneventful and easy compared to that of Cathy and Gary, also fellow Nova Scotians. After an aborted trip a few days earlier because of weather and other problems, they flew the day after we did to Ajijic. By all accounts, they had a wretched flight with violent turbulence and many passengers getting sick. Our flights on the other hand were all smooth.
This afternoon, Kate, Barb and I went in to the ex-railway station now converted into an art gallery in Chapala. There was a dance program by Ballet Folklorico. This is a group from Jocotepec. They are young people, most in their late teens or early 20s. We had seen them perform once before at the independence day celebrations (16 September) in the Ajijic plaza. They are very energetic and have lovely costumes, especially the young women. This traditional dancing involves intricate footwork in rhythmic tapping and stamping. The train station/art gallery is a lovely setting. The performance was to be held outside, but the platform for the dancers failed to arrive and their type of dancing requires a hard surface. As a result, it was moved inside at the last moment. There was a large crowd so that not everyone could get a seat.
There are so many things to do that we are having trouble to decide what to see and do. There is another concert of the Music Appreciation Society on Tuesday night. This concert is by two pianists.
The weather, as usual, is consistently wonderful. We had a cool spell in November when it got down to 8 C some nights. However, since we came back, it hasn’t been below 11 C at night and goes up into the mid-20s in the afternoons. We were worried that we might be a bit cold. Although we need a sweater when we get up (temperatures in the house are 17 - 18 C), by noon it has warmed up to very comfortable levels. We are both very, very happy to be back in Ajijic.
This afternoon, Kate, Barb and I went in to the ex-railway station now converted into an art gallery in Chapala. There was a dance program by Ballet Folklorico. This is a group from Jocotepec. They are young people, most in their late teens or early 20s. We had seen them perform once before at the independence day celebrations (16 September) in the Ajijic plaza. They are very energetic and have lovely costumes, especially the young women. This traditional dancing involves intricate footwork in rhythmic tapping and stamping. The train station/art gallery is a lovely setting. The performance was to be held outside, but the platform for the dancers failed to arrive and their type of dancing requires a hard surface. As a result, it was moved inside at the last moment. There was a large crowd so that not everyone could get a seat.
There are so many things to do that we are having trouble to decide what to see and do. There is another concert of the Music Appreciation Society on Tuesday night. This concert is by two pianists.
The weather, as usual, is consistently wonderful. We had a cool spell in November when it got down to 8 C some nights. However, since we came back, it hasn’t been below 11 C at night and goes up into the mid-20s in the afternoons. We were worried that we might be a bit cold. Although we need a sweater when we get up (temperatures in the house are 17 - 18 C), by noon it has warmed up to very comfortable levels. We are both very, very happy to be back in Ajijic.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Paradise regained
My apologies to John Milton for borrowing his title. We arrived back in Ajijic yesterday without any serious problems, although we were over half an hour late on the flight and took a long time to get through customs and immigration. There was no problem with the latter, except that now that we have our FM3 permanent visa for Mexico, there is a different form that we have to fill out. On the plane, the attendent gave us the wrong form.
Jack and Kate met us at the airport with Bijou and all were very welcome sights as we were tired; we had been up since 2 a.m. Central Standard Time and it was after 5:30 p.m. The house, yard, fountain, flowers seemed even better than when we left. Being away helps to raise one’s appreciation. We immediately got some wine and went outside to sit in the gazebo. We went to bed quite early (before 9). We only took time to email relatives of our safe arrival and I had some emails from students. The new class started as of yesterday, but there are problems with a new program for online courses. Fortunately, I have the syllabus and lectures on my own web page and I can get them to work, even if they haven’t access to the online course.
It was of course very different here compared to conditions when we left Nova Scotia. The temperature in Guadalajara on our arrival was 27 C while it was about -5 C or so in Halifax. Barb is still feeling the effects of being away and the journey back. She is at the moment on her 2nd nap today. I had not jogged for 3 weeks so that was harder than when I last did it before we left. I guess that we are going to need a few days to get back to normal. There are so many things to do (concerts, bridge games, etc.) that we want to get back at it quickly.
Jack and Kate met us at the airport with Bijou and all were very welcome sights as we were tired; we had been up since 2 a.m. Central Standard Time and it was after 5:30 p.m. The house, yard, fountain, flowers seemed even better than when we left. Being away helps to raise one’s appreciation. We immediately got some wine and went outside to sit in the gazebo. We went to bed quite early (before 9). We only took time to email relatives of our safe arrival and I had some emails from students. The new class started as of yesterday, but there are problems with a new program for online courses. Fortunately, I have the syllabus and lectures on my own web page and I can get them to work, even if they haven’t access to the online course.
It was of course very different here compared to conditions when we left Nova Scotia. The temperature in Guadalajara on our arrival was 27 C while it was about -5 C or so in Halifax. Barb is still feeling the effects of being away and the journey back. She is at the moment on her 2nd nap today. I had not jogged for 3 weeks so that was harder than when I last did it before we left. I guess that we are going to need a few days to get back to normal. There are so many things to do (concerts, bridge games, etc.) that we want to get back at it quickly.
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