Tuesday 26 April 2011

Snowbirds, Sunbirds and the Rainbirds...........

 

As Canadians, we are very familar with the term "Snowbirds."   In Mexico many of the US residents that live in the hot southern states come to our area of Mexico in the summer.  They enjoy our temperate climate and low humidy.  These folks are referred to as "Sunbirds."   Rainbirds, now they are another story.  They are not birds at all, they are huge green Cicadas and once they begin to "sing", the rains are about to begin!  Figures, we will be arriving to our new home just in time for the monsoon rains! 

You see, it doesn’t rain in or around our new home Chapala  on the north shore of Mexico’s largest lake from the middle of September  until the  rainy season begins on (or before) June 13th.   The old wives tales say that six weeks after we hear the first rainbird the first showers of the summer rainy season will begin to fall.

The large, local prehistoric-looking cicadas come out of their long hibernation and into adolescence at this time of year, and begin their loud screechy, buzzing mating calls.
The songs of love produced by these beastly insects is loud! They must complete their life cycle by laying the eggs for next year’s rainbirds  before they drown in the first rains. clouds-building 
Once the rains begin, the climate cools considerably.  Mornings are cool and overcast, until the sun comes out and reveals a bright blue cloudless sky around mid morning.   All through late June, July, August and sometimes September, the temperature warms during the day to around 75 to 80, and by late afternoon, dramatic grand thunderheads are building over the mountains that encircle the lake.
Sometimes there is  a heavy shower around 7 or 8 p.m. Usually it waits until the middle of the night with loud crashes of thunder -  banging and booming rainstorms and huge flash The temperature drops into the high 50s or low 60s for perfect sleeping. The next day it all begins again!

rain-over-lake

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Three Weeks Till "Blast-Off!"

As we count down  our departure from Canada, we have racing thoughts and minds...
  Yesterday for example....
Greg decides to take the hounds for a nice long walk.   A beautiful sunny cool afternoon as they head out.  Half way thru the hike, a huge blizzard hits, complete with snow, hail, black skies and wind.  Normally Greg would have headed back in a hurry, but not this time.
He was out there for a very long time - I was beginning to worry that the group of them had been wisked off to Oz. 
When Greg arrived home an hour and a half later , he told me the neatest thing....
He and the mutts decided that they would simply "enjoy the last winter walk together!  I was immediately reminded of how much Greg enjoys the outdoors.  Me, I would have been on a bee line home.  He is one cool guy!
Days are ticking by quickly and we are busy going over all the details that such a move like this entails.  Check and double check.  Yep, we're on track and ready to go.  Have our Mexican Visa's, International Health Insurance, Mexican Car Insurance.  Have advised all Canadian Utility companies of our departure.  Have finally finished reducing our household inventory, have the Emergency Kit ready for the Van.  Dogs have all had their necessary shots and international health documents - ok, you get the idea.  On and on it goes.
  Being very organized folks, we're on top of it.   Basically, this move has become our "full time jobs" over these past 6 months.  Pictures are  now off the wall, everything is accounted for and ready to be packed.  We've completed the inventory list - we are required to create a manifest document that lists all our electronic items - if it has a plug, it goes on the list.  Brand name, serial number etc. - all this needs to be translated into Spanish in order to enter Mexico.  Thank the Stars,  our moving company is providing this service for us.
Our packers arrive on Monday May 9th and will be here for 2 days.  Our stuff will leave in a sealed in bond international moving truck and travel thru the US and then down to Mexico.  We will pack the Van, the dogs, our gear and plan to be on the road early May 12th.  This drive will take us the better part of 7 days.  A friend of ours in Mexico was gracious enough to even provide us with Q-cards with the questions and answers in Spanish as we prepare for the two day drive thru Mexico.  Geez Louize........this will be quite the experience!
While we are excited to get on our way, we are again saddened to be leaving our wonderful children, our "perfect grandchildren",  our close friends, my Sis Sandy and our beautiful home.  

THREE SHORT WEEKS TILL.....................

Saturday 16 April 2011

Pan Am Games - Guadalajara - October 2011

The second largest city in Mexico is Guadalajara - our home is located 35 minutes south.  The Pan Am Games 2011 are being hosted in Guad this year.  Many of the watersport games will be held in our town on our Lake Chapala!  Anybody want to book a visit???

the acticle below is taken from a recent newspaper article outlining the events!
Enjoy.

 

The Pan American Games are Coming to Guadalajara in 2011!

2011 Pan American GamesThe Pan American Games are the America continents version of the Olympics, with 42 countries competing in over forty sports. They are held every four years and take place the year prior to the Summer Olympics.
To get ready for this amazing event, there were many plans put in place for environmental initiatives to clean lakes, monitor drinking water, and revitalize the downtown.
Improvements include a new convention center, a Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway, and a bypass for southern Guadalajara. The city will have 22,000 hotel rooms by October 2011, a new bus rapid transit system, Macrobus and the Centro Cultural Metropolitano...an ambitious project of the Universidad de Guadalajara, which includes a 10,000-seat performing arts auditorium (Auditorio Telmex) and the new public library of the state of Jalisco, among other buildings.
As a developing city, Guadalajara has a lot to gain in terms of promoting awareness of the city as a tourist or business location. Events of this magnitude present cities with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase themselves to a huge global audience. Hopes are that it will increase international trade in an already fast-growing economy and elevate the country’s standing in the same way the Tokyo Olympics did for Japan in 1964. Since Lake Chapala is sponsoring the water-skiing portion of the Pan Am Games, we look to benefit from the additional advertising and tourism coming to the area.
As one web site says, “Whenever a city hosts a major sporting event, the local economy is injected with a new lease of life. All major economic growth drivers get a boost due to infrastructure-related activities and tourism ahead of and during the event. Tourism is one industry which specifically benefits from any sporting event. Athletic teams, their entourage, world press and spectators all help in increasing the inflow of tourists. Also, due to huge amount of press exposure, a buzz and awareness is created about the city which helps in attracting the tourism in no small way.”
This international publicity will showcase the host country and will help attract a large number of international tourists, “largely in the upper income group of tourists and sport fans.” The Pan-American Games are a tremendous opportunity for Guadalajara and its surrounding communities to show off our stuff to the world.
We have no doubt that Lake Chapala will get incredible press because of the number of American and Canadian retirees and expatriates who call the area their permanent home. The media will transform Lake Chapala into a living postcard for the whole world to see.
“The post-PanAm Game awareness is something that money can't buy.” The media hype will certainly attract people coming here to take vacations. And, we firmly believe that once these people see Lake Chapala, they are going to want to live here.
The 16th edition of Pan-American games…the biggest multisport event in Latin America…will be hosted by Guadalajara, Mexico, from October 14 to 30, 2011.  More that 5,700 athletes from 42 countries across the U.S.A., Canada and the Caribbean will be competing in Guadalajara in 40 different sports that will range from aquatics, to football, racquetball, equestrian events, etc., in 361 competitions.
In Lake Chapala, the excitement is mounting, because the water skiing events will take place in the Boca Laguna Sky Club, which is located in the Km 4.5 of the highway that goes from Chapala to Mezcala, from October 20 to 23.
The Pan American Village will have 650 apartments, two parking lots and almost 65% of the area will be green areas.
By April, this Village and all the sports venues will be finished and 32 of the best construction companies in Mexico have been working on this.
Facts
  • 27 Venues total:  15 venues been built, 7 already existed and 5 are temporary plus 4 additional venues.
  • More that 12 thousand volunteers will be required for this event.
  • The Pan American Games will be seen in 100 countries around the world by more that one thousand million people. 
There will be 40 Different Sports:
1. Archery
2. Artistic Gymnastics
3. Athletics
4. Badminton
5. Baseball
6. Basketball
7. Basque Pelota
8. Bowling
9. Boxing
10. Canoeing
11. Cycling
12. Diving
13. Equestrian
14. Fencing
15. Handball
16. Hockey
17. Judo
18. Karate
19. Pentathlon
20. Racquetball
21. Rhythmic Gymnastics
22. Roller Skating
23. Rowing
24. Rugby
25. Sailing
26. Shooting
27. Softball
28. Squash
29. Swimming
30. Synchronized Swimming
31. Table Tennis
32. Taekwondo
33. Tennis
34. Trampoline Gymnastics
35. Triathlon
36. Volleyball
37. Waterpolo
38. Waterski
39. Weightlifting
40. Wrestling

About Guadalajara:

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco.  The city is located in the western part of the Mexican Republic, in Jalisco's central region.
Guadalajara was founded in 1542 and was permanently incorporated into the Atemajac Valley more than 464 years ago.  Pride and majesty, magic and beauty, are the attributes that blend harmoniously with the unstoppable progress of a city ahead of its time; a cradle of traditions that combines its colonial architecture, its culture and folklore, to become one the most recognizable symbols of Mexican culture worldwide.
Besides being recognized as one of Mexico's most influential cultural, industrial, and economic powerhouses, Guadalajara is world-renowned for its traditions and for its artistic, cultural, and recreational attractions.
Boasting a privileged geographical location, Guadalajara is at the center of the most important activities in business, industry, the economy, culture and sports.  As a result, the city is a key player in world-class events, and has been confirmed as a great host in such events as the First Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, which took place in 1991, as well as the Third Latin American, Caribbean, and European Union Summit in 2004.

Viva Mexico!!

No Bunny, No Jellybeans.....

The article below is a copy and paste from a magazine I frequent online.  Since we haven't spent an Easter in Mexico yet, I thought it would be an interesting post.  Easter Week is a big holiday for the Mexican people - they are a very spiritual group of people.   Every town in Mexico celebrates with family, friends, good food and fireworks!    A week long event of celebrations and fiestas!       

 Happy Easter - Happy Spring!


Pascua - Easter Holy Week in Mexico

It should come as no surprise that in Mexico, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, Easter is the most widely celebrated and important religious holiday of the year. Observances that would be of interest to visitors from abroad may be witnessed in virtually every village, town and city in the Republic beginning with Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday--this year March 23 (1997)) and ending Domingo de Gloria (Easter Sunday--March 30). Although each and every community boasts unique traditions for celebrating Semana Santa (Holy Week), in most locales you are likely to see some or all of the following:

BLESSING OF THE PALMS

Semana Santa gets underway on Palm Sunday when the faithful may join in a special mass which includes the blessing of palm fronds or crosses and other figures that have been fashioned from palms. A large procession commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem often precedes the mass. Some of the blessed palms are later burned and the ashes reserved by the church for marking the sign of the cross on the foreheads of communicants during Ash Wednesday services the following year.

VESPERS OF DARKNESS

On Wednesday of Holy Week, some churches celebrate a late-afternoon vespers service called "los matines de las tinieblas", in which the disciples’ abandonment of Jesus is recalled. A candelabra set with 15 candles illuminates the altar. One candle is extinguished after the singing of each Psalm until, at the end of the service, only the center candle, representing the Lord Jesus, remains lit.

MAUNDY THURSDAY -- OBSERVANCES BEGIN

The commemoration of Easter begins in earnest on this day, Jueves Santo. In cathedrals throughout the country, the bishops celebrate special masses during which the Chrism, a sacred oil used in the sacraments, is consecrated. In the evening many churches hold some type of re-enactment of the Last Supper. During Masses on this day the customary exchange of greetings of peace is omitted from the liturgy, a reminder of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. It is also customary to silence the church bells during the Triduo Pascual, the three key days of the Easter holiday.

GOOD FRIDAY -- THE PASSION OF JESUS

Christ carrying the CrossIn many towns and villages the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ is remembered through a Passion Play, or a recreation of the Via Crucis, (the Way of the Cross) on Viernes Santo -- Holy Friday. This may be an all-day event involving a cast of hundreds of amateur performers playing key roles in the Biblical story, that reaches its climax with a simulated crucifixion. In other places there may be some type of solemn procession in which most of the populace participates as penitents. In addition, the Virgin Mary´s pain and suffering at the loss of her son may be recalled with the display of an Altar de Dolores--an Altar of Sorrows.

HOLY SATURDAY -- THE SOLEMN VIGIL
The greatest of the holy vigils celebrated during the liturgical year is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Frequently this includes a solemn evening mass during which each communicant lights a candle at the altar, holding it throughout the remainder of the ceremony. Following mass, participants may gather outside the church for some comic relief with the raucous burning of Los Judas. These large papier maché effigies, usually painted in eye-popping colors, represent Judas Iscariot and other forces of evil, including the devil and unpopular political personalities. Especially prepared by the local "cohetero" who creates fireworks for all festive occasions, the figures are hung up in the street or the central town plaza. Once the public has gathered, they are ignited in quick succession and, to the delight of all, are literally blown to bits, thereby symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, which Christ’s Resurrection represents.

EASTER SUNDAY -- DOMINGO DE GLORIA

For Christian churches, this is unquestionably the most important day of the entire year. Since all Roman Catholics are expected to attend mass and take Holy Communion to mark the holiday, every celebration held in each of the thousands of churches throughout Mexico will be packed with celebrants on this day. It is a unique time for spirtual renewal, born of the hope promised by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church bells will once again peal, now with especially joyous fervor. With church attendance at a high, you can also expect to see plenty of festive crowds bustling about every town plaza following the services, including the ubiquitous street vendors hawking tacos, ice cream and other snacks. There will also be balloons and toys, perhaps even mechanical rides, for the enjoyment of the youngsters.

 A NATION ON VACATION

What you won’t see in Mexico at Easter time, except perhaps in giant urban supermarkets, will be any sign of the Easter Bunny. No jelly beans, marshmallow chickens, cellophane grass, Easter baskets or colored eggs either. These are strictly Gringo customs that, despite NAFTA, have so far, failed to make it across the border.
On the other hand, what you will find is an entire nation on vacation. While students north of the border take a Spring Break holiday scheduled at some random time in March or April, nearly everyone in Mexico is granted time off from work or school during Holy Week. Mexican schools are generally closed for the entire two-week period comprising Semana Santa and Semana de Pascua--Holy Week and Easter Week. Many employees are also allowed one or two weeks vacation time at Easter. From Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday you’ll find most government offices and banks close their doors and, with the exception of those who work in the tourist industry, virtually all workers are granted time off.
What all this means to unknowing visitors from abroad, is that it is practically impossible to encounter lodging in, or transportation to and from, any major resort or tourist destination. Last-minute bookings or changes in airline reservations can be tricky. Expect to find air, train and bus terminals jammed with harried travelers. Major highways throughout the country will register the greatest flow of traffic during this holiday period. And even the nation’s most isolated beach destinations are likely to be completely overtaken by large families of campers and day-trippers. This is, however, a fairly good time to enjoy a visit to the largest urban areas such as Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, where the massive desertion of city residents translates into less traffic and a substantial reduction in normal levels of air pollution.

Saturday 2 April 2011

Budget Day!

Today is Blanco Budget Day!  We are working at completing our budget as we prepare for our retirement in Mexico.  Below are examples of cost on some everyday items.
Viva Mexico!!


Automotive
Premium gasoline - $2.95 a gallon. Regular $2.45
Wash auto - From $2.40 to $4.8
Lubricate auto, change oil and filter - $22
Car Insurance - 31.5 per month 5 year old car

Medical and Dental
Clean teeth - $16
Tooth filled - $30 Porcelain.
Doctor's office visit including EKG - $35
Health insurance - $ 22/month per person

Housing
Furnished one bedroom apartment with living room, kitchen and bath - $245 to $420.
Beautiful, furnished apartment (two bedrooms) in a nice neighborhood from  - $450 per month. 
Property  tax $15/month

Personal Care
Ladies haircut and permanent - $21
Mens haircut - $3.5

Utilities
Electricity - $30 for two months.
Propane gas for cooking - $25 per month
Telephone basic service - $15
Water for drinking - $4.5 per month
No heating or air conditioning required
Internet - 13.5  per month

Entertainment
Cost for ticket to movie theater (first run film) $3

Maid
Basic thorough house cleaning one day (4 - 5 hours) each week - $10.5

Food
Prices for groceries can change depending on the area and the place where you shop and the time of year.  Municipal markets are good places to buy local fresh products as well as the “tianguis” (Mondays in Chapala, Wednesdays in Ajijic and Thursdays in Jocotepec). Most of the natives buy their groceries there, most of the time the items are cheaper and a shopping day at the market can give you a good idea of a busy, cheerful and colorful day in Mexico.

There are well known local stores and 2 nation wide chain of supermarkets that sell excellent quality products at a higher, yet reasonable price

The following are average prices per pound. The prices of the fruits may go lower or higher depending the time of year.



Chicken, whole - $3.2
Bacon - $2.9
Hamburger - $1.45
Pork shops - $2.18
T bone steak - $3.35
Beef Fillet - $3.4
Tomatoes - $0.44
Cucumbers - $0.44
Potatoes - $0.55
Broccoli - $0.58
Strawberries - $1.45
Oranges - $0.25
Bananas - $0.36
Margarine bar - $ 0.36
Flour - $0.40
Eggs (doz.) - $1.68
Coffee - $1.4
Rice - $ 0.91
Sugar - $ 0.72
Beans - $ 0.73
Fish (red snapper) - $ 3.27
Box Corn Flakes - $ 1.85
Bottled Drinks
Beer six pack (325ml) (11 ounces) - From $4.56
Coca-Cola (2 liters) (0.53 gallons) plastic bottle - $ 1.03
Milk (2 lt) (0.53 gallons) - $ 1.6
Fruit Juice (1 lt tetra pack carton) (33.8 ounces) - $1.03
Assorted soft drinks (355 ml) (12 ounces) aluminum can - $0.52
Assorted light soft drinks (355 ml) (12 ounces) aluminum can - $0.56