COST OF LIVING AND THINGS TO DO AND DOING

The only housing we could find, during high season, was $400 a month for this 1,500 sq. ft. apartment (way more room than we need) with three bedrooms, two baths, one balcony over the street and another out the back. The best thing is that it is within walking distance to everything. It is costing us $300 a week to live, so add in $100 for the apartment and we are living "high on the hog" for $400 a week. This includes eating out for most all meals (just as cheap as fixing meals here) and at least one activity every day.

Last week we invented a local Pub Crawl. Let me explain. Down the Lake a ways there is a stretch of about 15 restaurants, all on the water, with beautiful lake/mountain view's, one right after the other. They are all open air type pavilions with a kitchen at one end. All have their own very tasteful atmosphere and each one different and very enjoyable. There is very little business there during the week and their big day is Sunday (kind of like the Holler) Well, we actually enjoy having a restaurant to our selves, so we picked an off day, took a bus to the bar/restaraunt at the far end ($1.40 bus fare for two), and walked in and ordered drinks. They would be happy to get some business and shower us with whatever their specialty snack was (each one had their own). We would enjoy the snacks, have a couple of drinks (the beer cost $1.50 each, snacks free) and go to the next bar, right on down the line. We hit five bars, shot a lot of photos, then another $1.40 bus ride and we were home. Cost for the day: $30 including tips. Fun, Wow, experience, Priceless. Only Ten to go and we will have done them all and now can pick our favorites.

We have also been to a Cock Fight, great experience and very professional, Several Carnivals (in near by local towns), Night Clubs,(too old too tiring) and Artisan Centers (great photo opts). Each town has it's big market day where you can purchase anything from "soup to nuts" (also great photo opt's). Tomorrow we arranged a tour of a large Hot Sauce Factory. Told their salesman that we wanted them to ship a case of their hot sauce to our Resort in NY and he said that he would pick us up and give us a tour of his factory. It is very big here and they even supply Chulula with their sauce (our favorite back in the US. Things are about to get a lot more spict back at the Holler). Looking forward to the Tour, it should be a "Hot One", pun intended.

In a few days we are going way up in to the mountains to a village settled by some Swiss explorers back in the mid 1800's. They call it the "Alps of Mexico". They say that it is cold up there, but the Swiss architecture and quaintness of the village is worth the trip.

The local "sweet Breads" are as delicious as they look. We admired them from a distance for a while, till at one point one of the vendors offered us a sample. We were delighted to find they had a wonderful flavor and not over sweet, as we had imagined. The dollar-fifty loaf was half gone by the time we got home. Two loaves next trip.


The warm rich colors utilized by the local artist, have captured my heart for years. The are community here is vast, with fine examples of 2D as well of 3D, Music, dance Theater etc. Many more photo examples to follow.


Here is Bill delivering the laundry, Mexican style.


This is a painting on the bottom of a local wood fired ceramic platter. We are constantly awed with the incredible art work that abounds in this humble community.


Here is some more spectacular art work. This oil painting if life size and hangs in the foyer of a bank.

The vendor was asking $30 for this this wonderful mirror. Now just how could we fold it up and fit it into our backpacks?


Want to buy a chance on a Indian Blanket? The weaver of this blanket said that it took him 4 months to produce this beautiful rug. He was selling it for 2,000 pesos about $180 dollars. There is no way that we can leave this area with out taking along at least a couple of the smaller versions.


The aroma of Bougainvillea fills the air and the colors just happen to match Barb's hat. This is the picnic area in the park where Barb and I walk and exercise every morning, while getting into shape to explore the nearby mountains. Living a mile above sea level takes a little acclimating. This is the same park that will host the up coming Carnival.



A colorful fleet of water taxies, floating on a sea of vegetation, stand ready to ferry awaiting passengers to a nearby historical Island. This Island and the brave defenders played a significant roll in the War of Independence with Spain and is held in high regard with all of Mexico.



Chicken BBQ is popular and so yummy. Barb and I eat here often. A full chicken dinner for two, complete with cabbage salad, cucumber pepper salad, salsa, a stack of tortes and two drinks, plus a doggy bag that serves two more meals at home: $8. Can't cook at home at these prices.



This entire town is paved with these wonderful coble stones. No speeding here and I am sure that changing the shocks becomes a annual thing. The true charm is hearing horses coming and going. Right out of a Clint Eastwood Western.



In order to satisfy the masses, mechanical methods had to come into play. This definitely lacks the charm of the hand method but still fascinating to watch and very good tasting as well.


These ever present Mariachi Musicians are very enjoyable and really complete the Mexican atmosphere. This shot is taken at one of the many beach restaurant/bars. you can picture the view that they share.


This lady was making tortes at one of the beach bars on our Pub Crawl. She was honored to have me take her picture and giggled when shower her this picture. The fresh wood baked tortes were yummy.


We have been intrigued by these natural spire trees. I still don't have the scientific name of them but believe they must be a member of the Arborvitae family. They are certainly impressive and this is a spectacular grouping.


Street musicians are common and very entertaining. For a few pesos, out of this Harp like instrument, often hand made, flows a relaxing, medley of music resembling a piano. Wish we had one of these at the Holler for your listening enjoyment.


Cock Fights have long been given a bad rap. This weekly fight is very professionally handled. I think about Gladiators and modern day boxing, with two adult humans going at it, with the intention of knocking the opponent out, often resulting in brain damage or death. By comparison, I'll take Rooster Fights


This sign stopped me in my tracks, until I noticed the spelling which means Ticket booth. At first I thought that I knew that Mexicans loved Tequila but I did not know that they started them off as children ;-)



Next week we are going to a Chili Cook Off that has been running annually for 19 years. The best of the best, What is Mexico without Chili. The local Marti Gras (Carnival) The largest in the area starts here on the 9 to the 20th. It is just two blocks from our apt. That is 12 days of continual partying, colorful Parades, Equestrian Events (some of the finest horsemanship in the world), and various contests of every description. It will also host famous musicians and concerts all week, awesome fire works, action rides, and over 250 vendors of the best of everything the Country Has to offer. We plan on taking in every bit of it. Ok, how about just a lot of it.