It's been quite a few days since I've been able to find the time to put together an update. We've been a busy as bees - there are just too many things that happen here in Ajijic. Some planned and some very spontaneous. I know that I said I would update the details of the tennis match but it just didn't take place. One of our friends in Tennessee wondered if I had died during the match because there was no recent blog entry. Thankfully not. It seems that I'm on the waiting list for tennis doubles here at Vista Allegre which will hopefully help me hone my skills before my singles match with John is rescheduled.

On Monday we went to the Chapala market to pick up some vegetables. We went as a result of a courtesy ride from Jerry & Doris (from Newfoundland and Ontario and moved full time here in Ajijic). We were never introduced to them but they just drove up to the house to ask "the new guys" if we wanted to go with them.

The Chapala street market is held every Monday with the Ajijic market on Wednesdays. It's a great spot to get your basic veggie needs and certain meats (if they're on ice) and fish - amazing prices with things like 2kgs of tomatoes - $1.00 (US) and Jumbo Shrimp - 2kg - $10.00.

Wednesday was my golf day at Country Club de Chapala with Randy and a few other local guys originally out of the U.S. Randy kindly brought everything I needed so all I had to supply was a golf glove. Can't get a much better deal than that. Pricing here at Chapala Golf Club is a bit of an oddity. Normal rates to play this 9 hole - multiple tee course is $1,200 Pesos or about $100 US. As I was told, the Board of Directors try to keep the rates high to minimize the "mexican" participation. Thankfully there was a "guest pass" waiting at the clubhouse when we arrived.


After golf we got ready for our regularly scheduled Wednesday "HAPPY HOUR" dinner. Steven and Cindy showed up at Casa Forster at 5:00 p.m. to take us to Viva Mexico to join the other 17 regular participants for dinner. Deb and I had appetizers, salad, drinks and dinner (lamb skewers and a pollo/rice for Deb) along with dessert for a total of $260P or $26.00US - what a deal. I can't think of too many personal occasions back home where people take the time to get together with a bunch of friends on a weekly basis to enjoy themselves for a few hours each week. It's important here that people "network" and this is one of the ways this happens. After dinner we were invited back to Don & Dale's home for drinks (tequila) as the last time we saw their home 2 years ago they were just moving in. What a great decorating job - the place looked fantastic with a great view of the lake.

Today was a quiet day for me - watching the U.S. go down in defeat in World Cup soccer on our Shaw Cable box (how this happens is still quite a mystery) while Deborah attended the weekly / 1-hour Zumba session that happens here at Vista Allegra three days a week. This was Deb's first Zumba attempt but apparently she's quite pleased with this and is hopefully going to be a regular participant for the next three weeks or so. Tonight was supposed to be a billiards night for me with some of the guys that I met playing golf on Wednesday but plans fell through so we opted to join Catherine and John at Tony's for ribs tonight. It's just a small open-air restaurant on the Caraterra but I'll put their ribs and baked potatoes up against the Keg and for a price of $24.00 for two it just can't be beat.

Last night we were treated to a lightning and thunder show that lasted for a few hours. Typically it rains during the evening but some nights there are some real thunder bangers - it's really kind of enjoyable given that we don't get that kind of weather on the west coast.

Tomorrow is another day of golf with Randy again. It seems that based on my score Wednesday the guys felt that they were in no danger - so I could be invited back even thought I out drove most of these guys by about 100 yards per hole. Updates will be provided at the next opportunity.

Thanks for reading my blog - it's really appreciated.