Canadian athletes had their best day yesterday during the 16th Pan American Games, winning five gold medals to take their overall tally to 14. Canada has 45 medals in total and is now third in the rankings behind the United States and Brazil.
Chapala falls into the Pan American spotlight this week during four days of water ski competition at the Boca Laguna Ski Club. The Boca Laguna Ski Club is located just 10 minutes from our door. The Waterski Event takes place all weekend long. We tried to get tickets but they were sold out. Guess we waited a little too long!
Here are the results so far.............Canada is doing great - in third place. USA first, Brazil, Canada, Mexico. These games have brought a much needed boost to the economy here. We've watched over the past month the many improvments to the area. Highways are clean of refuse, new lines have been painted, new gardens planted in the central area of Chapala. The little area looks amazing!
Below is a chart of the medal standings as of yesterday.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Friday, 21 October 2011
Day of The Dead Celebrations in Mexico
More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death.
It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years. A ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully to eradicate.
A ritual known today as Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.
Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend.
The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.
The skulls were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs civilization believed came back to visit during the monthlong ritual.
Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.
The Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious. They perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan.
In their attempts to convert them to Catholicism, the Spaniards tried to kill the ritual.
But like the old Aztec spirits, the ritual refused to die.
To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today. The goddess, known as "Lady of the Dead," was believed to have died at birth.
Here in Mexico, the towns come alive through this celebration. Families decorate their homes and erect alters. Family members gather and pay homage to those they have lost. As always in Mexico food plays an important part - with the favourite foods of the deceased prepared by loved ones and eaten in their honor. Along the local roads and highways, crosses are already placed for those that have died in car accidents. The local shops are filled with Day of The Dead statues and trinkets.
It's really a very stange tradition - kind of spooky to us newbies! But the Mexicans being so devoted to this long standing tradition enjoy yet "another fiesta!"
The picture below is an example of a decorative alter in the homes............
It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years. A ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully to eradicate.
A ritual known today as Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.
Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend.
The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.
The skulls were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs civilization believed came back to visit during the monthlong ritual.
Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.
The Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious. They perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan.
In their attempts to convert them to Catholicism, the Spaniards tried to kill the ritual.
But like the old Aztec spirits, the ritual refused to die.
To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today. The goddess, known as "Lady of the Dead," was believed to have died at birth.
Here in Mexico, the towns come alive through this celebration. Families decorate their homes and erect alters. Family members gather and pay homage to those they have lost. As always in Mexico food plays an important part - with the favourite foods of the deceased prepared by loved ones and eaten in their honor. Along the local roads and highways, crosses are already placed for those that have died in car accidents. The local shops are filled with Day of The Dead statues and trinkets.
It's really a very stange tradition - kind of spooky to us newbies! But the Mexicans being so devoted to this long standing tradition enjoy yet "another fiesta!"
The picture below is an example of a decorative alter in the homes............
Monday, 17 October 2011
A "Guiness" Anyone??
We decided to head to Costco in Guadaljara a couple of Sunday's ago. Upon arriving home we see a little puppy sitting outside our front gate. The little dog was apparently starving, you could easily see her rib bones poking through her skin. We took out a bowl of food and water and she immediately wolfed it down as if she hadn't eaten in days. We left her outside the gate to see if she would wander off.
No way, she stayed for a couple of hours with her little head poked through our gate crying to come into our yard. We had company coming that afternoon for dinner so Greg put her in the car and took her to our local vet. We asked our vet, Dr. Pepe if he would check her over, give her her shots, de flea her and keep her overnight. Pepe agreed and we promised to return the next morning. When our friends were here for dinner we told them about the little pup hoping they may want to take her in. Marty then proceeded to tell us that she would like to take our black cocker Bella - that she had a little black cocker when she was growing up and would love to have her. Marty & Wes asked us to consider it as they have a cocker spaniel and she needed the companionship.
Anyways, the next morning we returned to Dr. Pepe's to see the little pup. Pepe told us that she was a little 4 month old Rotti mix. He thought she would be a medium size dog. Greg and I had spent the previous evening discussing the options for this poor pup. There were really one two options. The first was to keep her. The second was to take her to one of the local shelters and see if she could find a good home. After checking with a few of the shelters we found that there were so many dogs like her that simly could not find homes. We were in a quandry as to what to do - we simply could not take her to the shelter. So, we brought her home and thought we would see how it went. Our dogs seemed fine with her presence - not too many problems. So, drag out the crate! Our friends returned after a few days for yet another visit. This time they pleaded with us to give them Bella. With 6 dogs, it was too much for us. We didn't want to give them Bella but Marty said........" Please give us Bella, this way both dogs have good homes".
Since we live next door to M&W and would see Bella all the time, we finally agreed.
So, meet "Guiness".... She has a lovely dispositon, friendly and loving and in time she will be a perfect little watchdog.
No way, she stayed for a couple of hours with her little head poked through our gate crying to come into our yard. We had company coming that afternoon for dinner so Greg put her in the car and took her to our local vet. We asked our vet, Dr. Pepe if he would check her over, give her her shots, de flea her and keep her overnight. Pepe agreed and we promised to return the next morning. When our friends were here for dinner we told them about the little pup hoping they may want to take her in. Marty then proceeded to tell us that she would like to take our black cocker Bella - that she had a little black cocker when she was growing up and would love to have her. Marty & Wes asked us to consider it as they have a cocker spaniel and she needed the companionship.
Anyways, the next morning we returned to Dr. Pepe's to see the little pup. Pepe told us that she was a little 4 month old Rotti mix. He thought she would be a medium size dog. Greg and I had spent the previous evening discussing the options for this poor pup. There were really one two options. The first was to keep her. The second was to take her to one of the local shelters and see if she could find a good home. After checking with a few of the shelters we found that there were so many dogs like her that simly could not find homes. We were in a quandry as to what to do - we simply could not take her to the shelter. So, we brought her home and thought we would see how it went. Our dogs seemed fine with her presence - not too many problems. So, drag out the crate! Our friends returned after a few days for yet another visit. This time they pleaded with us to give them Bella. With 6 dogs, it was too much for us. We didn't want to give them Bella but Marty said........" Please give us Bella, this way both dogs have good homes".
Since we live next door to M&W and would see Bella all the time, we finally agreed.
So, meet "Guiness".... She has a lovely dispositon, friendly and loving and in time she will be a perfect little watchdog.
Friday, 14 October 2011
A Gecko in My Dishwasher!
There is a little gecko that has taken up residence in our dishwasher. The first time I saw him was quite a few weeks ago. As I opened the dishwasher door to put in a dish I was startled when the little guy was running around inside. I quickly closed the door and called for Greg! When we opened it again, he was gone. We thought that was the end of it.
Yesterday some weeks later, I again opened the door and there he was again! This time he ran out and crawled up the outside of the door and ran inside the vents. We then realized that he was living inside the dishwasher door - in between the door panels.
We've decided to let him stay! I guess we really are adapting to this strange new place!
Yesterday some weeks later, I again opened the door and there he was again! This time he ran out and crawled up the outside of the door and ran inside the vents. We then realized that he was living inside the dishwasher door - in between the door panels.
We've decided to let him stay! I guess we really are adapting to this strange new place!
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Thanksgiving in Mexico
It seems somewhat strange to us ................it's fall and the leaves are falling off some of our trees here. The mountains are coloured in yellows and orange wildflowers and are beautiful as I mentioned in my previous post. It's Thanksgiving Weekend and I must admit, I am feeling a little homesick. This is the first time in almost 6 months............I am thinking about our family and it is quite strange not to be home for this favourite family holiday. Memories of Black Lake, the great family times, the beautiful colour of Northern Ontario. On the other hand, it is wonderful here to be able to sit outdoors in our shorts and t-shirts under the beautiful blue clear skys. Today I am cooking a turkey, green beans and mushroom soup casserole etc. for Greg and I. On Monday we are going to one of the local restaurants - they are hosting a Canadian Thanksgiving Event - will be a great way to meet some fellow Canucks!
I am thankful for many things this year. First and foremost - I am thankful for our wonderful children and grandchildren...............our family back home. I'm also thankful for the wonderful life we have here in Mexico and for the good friends we have made here. The peacefulness and beauty of all that surrounds us everyday. Greg and I feel very fortunate to be able to be here at this time in our lives. Every day a new adventure in this foreign country. We are adapting well to our new environment. I am very much looking forward to my visit home in November. I just hope the snow holds off!
Have a Wonderul Thanksgiving, with all our love.
xoxox
I am thankful for many things this year. First and foremost - I am thankful for our wonderful children and grandchildren...............our family back home. I'm also thankful for the wonderful life we have here in Mexico and for the good friends we have made here. The peacefulness and beauty of all that surrounds us everyday. Greg and I feel very fortunate to be able to be here at this time in our lives. Every day a new adventure in this foreign country. We are adapting well to our new environment. I am very much looking forward to my visit home in November. I just hope the snow holds off!
Have a Wonderul Thanksgiving, with all our love.
xoxox
Saturday, 24 September 2011
A Special Post
Someone very special sent this to me the other day, I thought it was so beautiful that it was worth posting here. Your thought for the day.............
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT .
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND ,
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE .
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH .
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE
ON A STONE:
'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE'
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT'
LET US ALL LEARN TO WRITE
OUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE OUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Fall Has Arrived in Chapala Mexico
It is hard to believe that summer is over and that Fall has arrived! Reflecting on this past summer I cannot remember a summer that I have enjoyed as much as this past one. Every day was a pure delight - hot sunny days, rainy nights, cool breezes and bright blue skys.
Now the unmistakable seasonal changes are creeping up on Lakeside. Even Lake Chapala - know as the "land of eternal spring", has four distinct seasons. The skies are higher and bluer, the mornings are a crisp 55 to 60, the afternoons now are warm to around 80 F. Evenings have cooled enought to be able to turn off the whirl of the ceiling fans and put a light blanket back on the bed.
Fall in Mexico has other distinctive noticable changes. Independance Day - which we just experienced on September 16th with it's red, white and green flags flying proudly everywhere. It was a delight to watch how the Mexican nationals love their country and celebrate with such pride.
Flowering trees and bushes are beginning to show changes as well. The mountainsides are beginning to show splashes of brigh yellow colour. Wild sunflowers are popping up all over the hills - it's absolutely majestic to see. The trees are changing as well. There is one tree I especially love. It is called African Tulip Tree - they begin their bloom now until early February and have the brightest red-orange flowers I've ever seen. The streets are lined with these amazing trees and the colours remind me of home this time of year.
The population and activity levels change here now. The first of the "snowbirds" are arriving (otherwise known as "early birds!). The sunbirds have left and so the area is quite quiet right now.
In a few short weeks, the area will be bustling with many Canadians and Americans that either have winter homes here or come to rent to escape the dreaded long cold dark winter months ahead.
The folks in the US seem to be feeling the economic downturn much more than us Canucks and it's been reported that the majority of winter bookings at casa rentals for the upcoming winter season will be Canadians!
It is upsetting to hear and read all the grim reports and news that clouds Mexico these days. It's hard to understand the fear that keeps people from coming here or coming to visit when the we look out our window or drive down the street, the biggest danger is a clip-clopping horse, a couple of cows parading down the street or a barking dog behind a fense.
After these past few months, we know we 've made the right decision for us - we love this lifestyle and hope to be here for many years to come!
The African Tulip Tree
Now the unmistakable seasonal changes are creeping up on Lakeside. Even Lake Chapala - know as the "land of eternal spring", has four distinct seasons. The skies are higher and bluer, the mornings are a crisp 55 to 60, the afternoons now are warm to around 80 F. Evenings have cooled enought to be able to turn off the whirl of the ceiling fans and put a light blanket back on the bed.
Fall in Mexico has other distinctive noticable changes. Independance Day - which we just experienced on September 16th with it's red, white and green flags flying proudly everywhere. It was a delight to watch how the Mexican nationals love their country and celebrate with such pride.
Flowering trees and bushes are beginning to show changes as well. The mountainsides are beginning to show splashes of brigh yellow colour. Wild sunflowers are popping up all over the hills - it's absolutely majestic to see. The trees are changing as well. There is one tree I especially love. It is called African Tulip Tree - they begin their bloom now until early February and have the brightest red-orange flowers I've ever seen. The streets are lined with these amazing trees and the colours remind me of home this time of year.
The population and activity levels change here now. The first of the "snowbirds" are arriving (otherwise known as "early birds!). The sunbirds have left and so the area is quite quiet right now.
In a few short weeks, the area will be bustling with many Canadians and Americans that either have winter homes here or come to rent to escape the dreaded long cold dark winter months ahead.
The folks in the US seem to be feeling the economic downturn much more than us Canucks and it's been reported that the majority of winter bookings at casa rentals for the upcoming winter season will be Canadians!
It is upsetting to hear and read all the grim reports and news that clouds Mexico these days. It's hard to understand the fear that keeps people from coming here or coming to visit when the we look out our window or drive down the street, the biggest danger is a clip-clopping horse, a couple of cows parading down the street or a barking dog behind a fense.
After these past few months, we know we 've made the right decision for us - we love this lifestyle and hope to be here for many years to come!
Happy Fall Everybody!!
The African Tulip Tree
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