Friday, March 14, 2008
Ajijic (say Ah-hee-HEECK), Lake Chapala, 40 miles
Studied maps upon waking. Evaluate oil tank support, another one has broken but its going to be OK. Leave motel, fool around in Tlaquepaque. Breakfast in the market. Try to shoot photos. I need to learn to shoot portraits. A real photographer has certain people skills, and I find myself challenged. Find high speed internet and disappear for 2.5 hours. Back outside the place has become inundated with tourists. Day trippers from Guadalajara. Time to go.
Short blast down to Lake Chapala. The hard part was trying to get out of Guadalajara. And then Ajijic, I park in front of the police station. And....
Ahhh, this is why I came. The town is so tranquil. The sense of well being is immediate. Laid back. Lots of Americans and Canadians but the locals have no hostility. They must bring in the bucks and the locals know it. Whatever. Everyone seems to get along. No hurries here. Suddenly my trip seems very short.
Now all I've read about Lake Chapala is that the water level is down, no it's fluctuating. The water is polluted with fertilizers. Well, I walked down to the shore of Lake Chapala, and let me go on record as saying, it is beautiful. Watched an amazing sunset. The colors just kept coming long after the sun had disappeared behind the distant hills. I was so full of peace. Returned to the plaza, stunned. Last night, coming in off the road into Guadalajara in the dark, burnt, rattled, overwhelmed, was the low point of the trip. No doubt.
At last I've found my groove. At last I feel in sync. Ajijic, regardless of what you read about the gringos taking it over, real estate prices, yada-yada-yada, has earned 4 stars in Otto's book. And I'm pretty picky. Kudos to Ajijic.
Stayed at Ajijic Hotel, right on the plaza. My room is right next to the pool. No AC, they just leave their windows open. $40.
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