Equipals

We have had a busy couple of days. In fact, tonight we are feeling a bit tuckered out. I had been asked to help for 3 hours on Saturday with a charity. It is a fund-raiser for the Old People’a Home in Chapala. In fact, some of the gringos go there and it is said to be quite nice and people there are well looked after. They are collecting almost anything that can be sold in a yard sale. They have a truck that they bring every day on the highway across from Superlake supermarket. It is one of the main places that stock foods from the US and Canada where gringos pining for their favourite things (for example, Barb’s Shredded Wheat) can satisfy their longings. Anyway, it is a good place because most gringos go there frequently. Anyway, I had agreed to sit in the truck. However, I have my Spanish conversation class on Saturdays, 11:30 - 1 p.m. However, Marilyn seemed so desperate that Barb went in my stead. Then, when Marilyn called to confirm the person who had agreed to do the shift from 1 - 4, he said he couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do it. So as soon as I finished my class, I went to relieve Barb and stayed until 3:30. (I have agreed to help next weekend when they are doing the yard sale itself.) I couldn’t stay longer because our friends, Kate and Jack, had arranged a big cocktail party for about 40 people from 4 - 6 p.m. at their place. Thus, I had to hurry home, change and walk to their place. It was very interesting, although we knew only a few of the people.

While there and talking to Sonya, who is from Dartmouth and whom we had met last year when we were down here, was going to the final concert in the Northern Lights Festival; she mentioned that she had an extra ticket which her landlord had given her. She was very willing to give it to us. Other people assured us that at the previous concert they had announced that contrary to rumour, there were still tickets available for the final concert. We took the chance that we could get a second ticket. In fact, the woman at the door exhanged the single ticket and gave us two seats together in the same row (there seemed to be 25-30 empty seats). It was a terrific concert. We were very pleased to be able to go. Needless to say, we were pretty tired by the time we got home.

Today, the talk at Open Circle was about local lore here in Mexico and it was very interesting and informative. Some things we had learned before, but there was lots new too. Jack and Kate did not attend as they were still recovering from their exertions for their cocktail party; some guests did not leave until about 11 p.m.! However, they joined us for brunch at Neuvo Pasada restaurant which is just down the same street where they live. Sonya joined us as well to make 5. After brunch we went to Sonya’s place which is just a couple of blocks from the restaurant. She wanted Kate and Jack to see her apartment because friends of theirs are looking for a place for next year. The apartment is lovely., newly redone, with new furniture and lots of appliances. It is only one bedroom, but is very convenient location also. In fact after seeing photos online and J & K’s favourable review, the couple are very interested.

After that, I walked up to J. & K’s to pick up the car as we had loaned it to them so that they could pick up stuff for their party. I then drove Barb and Sonya to the Great Chili Cookoff. This is a 3 day affair with the profits going to 5 local charities. In fact the governor of Jalisco State and other bigwigs made an appearance on Saturday (dozens of police all along the highway). On Saturday, after a parade, a number of couples make their chili specialties; it kind of like the Idol TV series because people can taste the chilies and vote for the best one. On Sunday, various chefs from restaurants locally do their chilies and again there is a contest. Apparently, this used to be an All Mexico Chili Cookoff, but organizers felt it was just too much to do on such a big scale, so it is now just in the Lake Chapala area. Nevertheless, it is still a pretty big deal. Also, there are a large number of people with stands selling all sorts of goods. Barb finally decided to settle the problem of what additional furniture we need for the living room. Up to now, we have only a sofa; it is a good size, but still seats only 3 people. We were thinking of a couple of leather lazyboys, but they are pretty expensive. One of the local specialties are called equipals (see photo). They come in many different levels and qualities; many restaurants have very basic ones. However, at the Cookoff, Barb found a furniture maker who does bigger, more padded and fancier versions. He said that he doesn’t usually sell retail, but just to furniture stores. He didn’t want to take his chair home (it was only a little over an hour before closing) and offered her a deal. She ended up buying 2 chairs and 2 foot stools. These chairs have tooled leather backs. It is really quite comfortable, even without the foot stool. We got the one chair today and in 2 weeks or so, they are going to deliver the second chair and 2 foot stools. With the 2 desks (which are a great success) and now getting the living room furniture settled, we shall be pretty well set for furnishings. We are gradually checking off items on our list of priorities that we felt we needed.

Just a brief comment on the weather. It has been getting warmer with temps in the afternoon getting up to 31 - 32 on some days. In fact, in the newspaper it said that a new record high for Jalisco state was set for February --33.4; the old record had stood since the 1920s.