’25 Mar: with Michi in San Antonio

You might remember I was a week behind in getting to my Mexico pictures because the fan on my computer went out. I had previously made a three night reservation for after the tour when I was going to hang out in Guadalajara, catch up on pictures, and enjoy the museums, architecture, and The Scene in Guadalajara’s Centro Historico.

But it was not to be. I couldn’t find anyone to fix the computer Right Now because they had to order a new fan and then there was the risk of voiding the warranty, so I decided to come home early which had the added benefit of starting the cancer meds a few days earlier too.

I took an uber to the place below, the best place according to the hotel, which was a huge city block of phone cases, and a second floor of repair businesses.

I strolled back to the hotel through some of Centro Historico:

Welcome to Michi’s house in the village of San Antonio Tlayacapan on the shores of Lake Chapala. We’re going to kick around here for a few days before joining a tour to Copper Canyon. Michi has organized a delightful itinerary that I will share as we go along. It was a long day today even though it’s a short flight from LA to Guadalajara. So I took a few pictures, Michi made us a yummy dinner, and then I lay me down to sleep.

The front door.

Looking toward the back. There are 5-6 units in this lovely compound currently carpeted in jacaranda blooms.

Michi is the first to note that she really likes things and having recently discovered Temu… well, you can imagine. But her newest prize is the cat below from World Market when she was in Santa Barbara last month. I might need one of those.

My first picture ever of Michi when we met in Guanajuato in 2007, a cutie then and a cutie now.

Mary (the orchestra’s house manager) and Michi

They were really very good including many experienced adults and young people too. Based on the attendance at this concert and the density of ex-pats in Ajijic, it feels like there’s a significant cultural divide between the mostly grey-haired English-speaking ex-pats and the Spanish-speaking local community.

My favorite piece was by a guy I’d never heard of, Arturo Marquez, Danzon No.2.

At La Cucharita comida Hawaiana.

After the show we went to have a meal at this Hawaiian place where Michi had been helping them with the recipes, service details, etc. and they were very glad for it, that was clear. We ate at the family table set-up behind where we were all standing.

Cecilia, Michi, Ricardo, me

We were stopped in the street waiting for some traffic situation to resolve, so I asked these guys if they were up for a picture. Sure, they said! What were they doing? Where were they going? I don’t know.

Back at Michi’s, this is the living room. There’s a dining area, a kitchen, a large office, and a bathroom on this floor. The second floor has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a good sized lounge, with a ton of storage everywhere. Then more stairs take you to the roof. I’ll get up there tomorrow for a few pictures.

Michi was devoted to her mom who in turn was devoted to Hello Kitty!

We went out first thing in the morning, around 9:30… for breakfast here at Punto Verde, Michi’s favorite breakfast spot. I got a flat white which made me happy and then some perfectly delicious food.

The mural on the back wall.

As we all know, my efforts to take a picture of food are always met with certain disappointment. I always do Something wrong. But here it is anyway because it was a real treat, the carefully placed flowers and seeds, the scrumptious green sauce, and the arepas with an especially tasty chicken salad.

Up on Michi’s roof getting rid of the fallen leaves before they clog the drains.

That’s Lake Chapala out there, the lowest line of blue.

From the neighbor’s tree.

Peeking around the corner.

We decided to go into Ajijic for dinner and a stroll on the Malecón. The whole place was packed with families enjoying a Sunday picnic in the park. We loved them all.

The building at the end of the pier is a primo place for meat in the Argentine style and we went there for a treat, and a treat it was.

The mural welcoming you to the pier.

Getting toward sunset over Lake Chapala.

Wildlife, for a moment standing still.

Goodnight!

Dona’s Donuts, a must for me when visiting the Lake Chapala area.

Neither of us were much for the jelly filled, and there was something wrong with the pecans. But oh my oh my the old-fashioned/buttermilks were a joy sublime.

Notice the rock roads. This is the default surfacing for roads and sidewalks. Wear your good shoes.

We went home to do a little of getting ready to go, watch some videos, do my pictures, take a little nap, and then it was time to EAT so we walked a couple blocks for some splendid take-away.

Looking out my window in the mornings.