Dancing Cactus Mexico Message Board

[MizTortuga]

Love it! Love it!! So happy to finally see the wonderful picture of you and Candice together! Amazing how life sometimes surprises one in unexpected ways.

But.

I'm not sure that is really Travis. I think he only wears plaid.

[Candice]

My goodness, Gretchen, how wonderful to read your take on your trip so far! Loving it...and loved the way we finally met and how amazing it was to sit and talk with you IN PERSON. I want more!!! Great photo of Travis, by the way

Can't wait to read what happened next...

Do you have your reservation for next year yet???



P.S. Have you had time to meet Tracy Guadalupe?

http://www.sanpanchovida.com/

[Jeanne in NC]

So nice that the 3 of you could get together! I, along with Dee, did not recognize Travis. Because he wasn't wearing tan! Travis - if you see this - you look good in rich colors!

Am loving your report Gretchen!
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Jeanne in NC

[Little Gecko]

One evening in Ajijic we booked a dinner and evening of listening to a lady's mariachi band from Guadalajara. They were fantastic, as was the dinner. Each one of the members of the band performed a solo of either singing or playing an instrument.. Such talent!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/GeckoGretchen/IMG_0815.jpg

Along the lake, if you travel west from Ajijic, you will come to San Juan Cosala where there are natural hotsprings that have been tapped and pumped into a myriad of swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas along the lake shore. For a mere 130 pesos you can spend the day there lolling about in the pools, shooting down the complex of slides, soaking up the warmth of a huge hot tub, sitting in the steam baths, or just lazing around on one of many lounge chairs munching on tasty food from the restaurant on the premises. This we did. We took the bus from Ajijic, and in a short time we were walking down to the hotsprings. I did not take my camera that day as I knew we would be leaving things on tables to swim, but believe me, it is well worth the excursion.

A little further along that road, at the west end of the lake is the wonderful little town of Jocotepec… I loved this town.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/GeckoGretchen/IMG_0884.jpg

I am not sure how long it has been there, but it appeared to be very settled and quite old. Very clean, not a tourist to be seen (except us!) .

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/GeckoGretchen/IMG_0880.jpg

We wandered about, sat in the little zocalo and just watched Mexico come alive with children, ladies sweeping, music everywhere with the beautiful hills behind creating an awesome backdrop to one of the prettiest little towns I have seen. A beautiful old church with gorgeous stained glass windows

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/GeckoGretchen/IMG_0886.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/GeckoGretchen/IMG_0885.jpg

I can already tell that this week is going to go way too fast and I am not going to want to leave when it ends!
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The Road Goes Ever On

[Little Gecko]

Just a really cool door..... I can see why Candice is on a "door quest" there are some amazing ones at every turn:



One evening in Ajijic we booked a dinner and evening of listening to a lady's mariachi band from Guadalajara. They were fantastic, as was the dinner. Each one of the members of the band performed a solo of either singing or playing an instrument.. Such talent!



Along the lake, if you travel west from Ajijic, you will come to San Juan Cosala where there are natural hotsprings that have been tapped and pumped into a myriad of swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas along the lake shore. For a mere 130 pesos you can spend the day there lolling about in the pools, shooting down the complex of slides, soaking up the warmth of a huge hot tub, sitting in the steam baths, or just lazing around on one of many lounge chairs munching on tasty food from the restaurant on the premises..
We took the bus from Ajijic, and in a short time we were walking down to the hotsprings, believe me, it is well worth the excursion.



Rear view mirror on a bus:



A little further along that road, at the west end of the lake is the wonderful little town of Jocotepec… I loved this town.



I am not sure how long it has been there, but it appeared to be very settled and quite old. Very clean, not a tourist to be seen (except us!) .



We wandered about, sat in the little zocalo

and just watched Mexico come alive with children, ladies sweeping, music everywhere with the beautiful hills behind creating an awesome backdrop to one of the prettiest little towns I have seen.

A beautiful old church with gorgeous stained glass windows




I can already tell that this week is going to go way too fast and I am not going to want to leave when it ends!
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The Road Goes Ever On

[MizTortuga]

That does indeed look like a tidy and clean little town! I sometimes wonder about why a tiny town is where it is, and how long the roots of the local people have been there and how they really view outsiders.

The hot springs sound delightful .. especially on this cloudy day here with snow still on the ground.

[Jeanne in NC]

That church IS beautiful. I love the stone work.

Thanks Gretchen!
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Jeanne in NC

[Little Gecko]

I too wonder why places like Jocotepec are there..... the only sign of a possible commercial industry were a few berry farms on the far side of the lake... and probably many more farms on the reverse side of some of the surrounding mountains and hills. Whatever they do to keep happy and clean afloat is working!
That church.. I really marvelled at the stonework Jeanne..... it was just incredible..... I am always thrilled at the way these people approach a project..... with heart and soul and a whole lot of talent and imagination. It was a very old church and very much a part of the town. I did not get a picture of all the windows, but the stained glass was beautiful. There are times when a person needs to travel alone so as not to always be left behind gazing at something amazing! I seem to spend alot of time running along behind the group trying to catch up!
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The Road Goes Ever On