Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge killing fields, in Ajijic.

On Sunday mornings the Lake Chapala Society, has guest lecturers at the Open Circle series.  This speaker was funny, dynamic, and very informative.  She spoke about how she fled Cambodia with two very small children over into Thailand.

The Cambodian genocide was the systematic persecution and killing of Cambodian citizens by the Khmer Rouge under the leadership of Communist Party of Kampuchea general secretary Pol Pot. It resulted in the deaths of 1.5 to 2 million people from 1975 to 1979, nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population in 1975.

Sunday and Viva Mexico!

The flag of Mexico

My patriotic plate of pasta as the flag.

Today's Sunday lunch special at Tango's was the three pastas.  Spaghetti with pesto, Alfredo & Lasagna.

150 pesos w/tea & rolls = $9.us

Yummmm!

 

Veggie Wash? Street Tacos? Salad at a restaurant?

 "Boil it, Peel it, Wash it, or vomit."

In Mexico (and lots of other countries) vegetables have to be washed carefully and completely before eating.  They can have lots of bacterial contaminants.  You have surely heard about travelers who get 'The Tourista' or 'Montezuma's Revenge.'  I KNOW you have heard, "don't drink the water."  In some foreign countries the city water is not drinkable, so how do you wash food items?

ALL the fruits and vegetables here are delicious and fresh, but you need to wash them before eating.  I found this remedy is sold at the grocery and the pharmacy.

8 drops into a liter of water and soak for 15 min.

24 pesos = $1.43 and safety.  Priceless

Use this to wash all your veggies.  I can't be certain of the street vendors, but here in my kitchen I can guarantee my veggies are clean and safe.  So far, so good.  Can I fix you a salad?

Fourth of July in Ajijic and another mountain to climb.

A month after my last climb I did it again.  A group of us got together, led by a local named Bob to go where no Skip had ever been before.  First we climbed up to the Chapel, the same one I did on June 3rd, and I only had to stop and catch my breath a 'few times' on that ascent.  Then Bob lied about the difficulty to continue up to the top and across to the Waterfalls.  (as IF there would be a waterfall after six months with no rain?)  Yes, I survived, and NO it was not easy.  But it was fun.

The waterfalls seen here before the rains start.

A brother and sister out for a hike 'told me the top was not much further.'  They lied.

Finally down at the bottom again we celebrate by having lunch together at a local Chinese restaurant.  Photographed here L-R: Sam, Chad, Alma, Bob and Skip.

Dancing Girls on the Malecon, Ajijic.

 A seven year old, a ten year old, two eleven year old's, and a sixteen year old.... 

learn a traditional Mexican dance.

The teacher and boom box stand off to the side and cheer them on.

Photographer or Tourist? Which are you?

Camera Anyone?

I met this photographer on the Malecon in Ajijic.

I saw this guy with his tripod and massive lens taking a photo of a tiny dot off in the distance.  (a boat) I asked him, "what are you shooting?"  He went on to describe the megapixels on the camera and how he could crop the shot even at this distance...   (blah blah blah)  He further said that he has a longer lens and another camera body in his car.  He said that he is just a hobbyist. He told me he has over 18,000 photographs on a hard drive saved up from his many years of photography.  It was a nice discussion and I wondered why so few shots.

This got me to thinking about how many photos I've taken over the years as a fellow hobbyist.  I just looked at the very small external drive I brought with me to Ajijic, for this trip and it has over 40,000 photos on it, compiled in just the last four years.  (I have eight additional hard drives at home that I've filled over the years.)   On THIS trip, in just the first month, I have taken over 7,000 photos.  Usually I'll take a few hundred to find some that are good enough to post on the blog.  Most are just memories.  But the rare few are truly good photos, and every once in awhile you get the perfect shot.

Good luck to all us amateur's out here trying!         -Skip

A Fiesta in Ajijic and a chance to party more!

We already saw in earlier blog posts that The Mexicans know how to party.  They party so much, they had to create a new word for it - FIESTA.  Recently we celebrated the 200th year of independence for the state of Jalisco with a 'traditional Fiesta' in Ajijic.  It was lots of music, dancing, drinking, food, fireworks and all the other usual stuff.  I think the Mexican motto is: "If music is good, then loud music is better, and real damn loud is BEST!"

The view from the stage

The view of the stage

Spellbound

Of course fireworks end the night, fired low and directly over the crowd.  

(OSHA would have a problem with it)   A good time was had by all and man was I tired.