I never met a stranger

We are staying at a sweet, small boutique hotel – recently renovated. The central courtyard with fountain resides outside of our room. Here, we have breakfast and lively conversation with other travelers in the morning. We compare notes about the prior day adventures. The others have rented cars and are exploring areas we will not get to. We speak of other destinations around the world visited, our jobs (or lack thereof) and families. I get to tell the chicken and truck driver’s miracle story. Ask me about it one day. Thank you for the fan, my lovely new friends from Corpus Christi!

Today will be the day of "hello". It’s friendly here. The locals always greet each other and us. 

Sunset on Lago Chapala is always spectacular

10,000 steps every day is the goal. Today we start by climbing the dragon staircase. The town runs up the side of the mountain. Jesus lives at the top of every mountain beside the cellphone towers. 

The Dragon Staircase

Close to the top of the mountain, near Jesus, we meet Alan who has been coming down to Chapala for 12 years and has lived here 5 years permanently. He is checking on his friends chop shop for VW’s. Heavily invested in this community, he and his wife help children and families in need. His wife invented a new type of sanitary pad, that is washable and reusable to give to those women who are too poor to buy them. They also cook and make food for a village north of here every Sunday. He was forthcoming that he relies on donations from other organizations to help with expense and actually the VW he is driving was provided by one. He had it pimped out, raised higher off the ground, spare tire on the top with a carrying rack. A wench in the front to pull out of ditches and mud higher fenders for splash. Alan, is font of information. We learn that the Rotarian's meet weekly at Palapa Don Juan, on Thursday mornings. That there is a rotary in Ajijic and though they do a lot of fund raising, they don’t get their hands dirty. He says that’s left for the Chapala chapter. He tells us of a family they are presently helping. The mother is Albanian, the father German with 5 kids and one on the way. He gives us a card and we will be in touch. 

Lake Chapala below

At the top of the road, we spot our favorite thing in the world, people building things. Looks like a fence due to the size of the auger being used. The gentleman in charge calls down to us to come and look see. Fernando was born in Chapala but has lived in Cali for 53 years.” The people here know I’m not local when I open my mouth. My Spanish is not their Spanish any longer.” He is developing 3 lots to sell or build. 

These colors would not be allowed in Vero.

Strolling on, we pass over the gully wash river that flows thru town (it is not flowing today) ahead of us is a gringo family: a father with 5 kids on bikes, pushing a baby cart. We say hello. It occurs to me that this is family Alan was talking about. I ask if he or his wife is Albanian. He looks confused and says yes. Too funny. We show him Alan’s card and tell him we’ve heard of him. Haahah. I’m telling you this is a very small town.