Standing proudly on the Ajijic malecon, the creative Ajijic sign with the stunning backdrop of Lake Chapala and Mount Garcia, skillfully depicts the various facets of life in this area. The flora, the architecture, food, art, the lake and the…

Church bells have been the timekeepers of towns and villages for centuries, as most people didn’t have clocks or watches for many years. Almost every town in Mexico, regardless of size, has the church as its centre so everyone can…

The textiles of Mexico represent the cultural diversity of the country. Cloth fragments discovered and dated from as early as 1800 BC, were made from chichicaste – a plant we know as stinging nettle, which grows easily and yields a…

La Posada A most important tradition at Christmas time in Mexico is that of the posada (Inn) – a re-enactment of the journey of Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem and their search for a place to lay…

I suspect one of the most frequently discussed topics by ex-pats is that of the unfamiliar and often loud noises to be experienced here at Lakeside. Of all the noises – barking dogs, crowing roosters, exploding cohetes, mariachi music, roving…

So you’ve decided to take a dive into the world of Mexican cheese or queso (KAY-SO) and not sure where to begin. Stick around and learn of the different types and what they may compare to north of the border cheeses,…

Dia de Muertos – Day of the Dead, has its origins with the Aztec civilization, more than 3,000 years ago. The Aztecs believed the passing of a loved one should not be cause for grief, rather should be a time to celebrate…

Food plays an important part of the activities especially those that were a favourite of the deceased. There are some traditional foods associated with Day of the Dead, found in Mexico only between late September and early November, the most…

The Ajijic annual event of Zombie Thriller Dancer is part of the Thrill the World global event where people in many cities, in many countries come together to celebrate the dance, their community and raise money for their local charities.…

The wrought iron window grilles or Rejas seen around the villages of Lake Chapala and throughout Mexico are both decorative and protective and likely introduced into Mexico by the Spanish. It has been said they were a means of a…