Patt with Two T's

 Today I realized I've neglected my blog since February, when we were in Ajijic the first time. We returned in Sept, but I didn't write even though I took pictures and wanted to do a Colors of Mexico blog.  We stayed in a neighborhood on the east side of town called La Floresta, which was lovely large private homes. We were in a casita, small apartment, above a home there. The one-bedroom apartment was perfect for us and in walking distance of good restaurants and the Wed. market.  Best of all, I managed to walk on those awful cobbled streets without hurting myself this time. In January, my toe missed a small curb and I fell, not realizing I'd broken my foot for 2 months. I've joked that in Sept, I was so cautious, I never looked up when walking and burned the back of my neck! But the truth is, I often stopped and shot photos because the colors of Mexico are the most vibrant and beautiful. I think they inspire my art: A house from the

Ajijic is a very artsy community, which is obvious because so many of the outer walls are painted and every restaurant displays beautiful murals and framed works. Some are for sale, but most are personal collections.    I showed the outside where we had lunch at Yves...with the pool (with 3 fountains in it) and the burros. We returned for breakfast, which was very good. I hate omelettes but ordered a spinach, mushroom, and cheese one and liked it so much, came back for another the next day. Yves has many white burro paintings inside and out, plus more framed pieces on all the walls. We sat outside the second to the last day after hearing it was raining at home and would be for 6 days. Thought we'd better enjoy this weather while we can.  Don Pedro's, which has few customers and great food. I posted pictures of my pasta dinner and made people drool. We've been telling everyone about them so they'll have more business. The staff here recommended another plac

 Today we caught the bus the short ride to see the lake and walk the malecon by Lake Chapala. It's 70 miles long and 7 miles wide (no, duh, we didn't walk the length). We've been warned not to eat anything from there, although the locals can, and not to swim in it either. But it is beautiful to see.  I've been noticing that every restaurant we've been to has lovely artwork on the walls. Some are for sale, but much is property of the restaurants. The streets too have murals everywhere, and I couldn't resist taking photos of a few on our walk.    We read about Tabarka, a Spanish tapas place that had been in our hotel neighborhood and moved 3 weeks ago. We tried to find it last night, but it was gone, so happily got there for lunch today. We met an x-pat from San Francisco who frequents Tabarka who's lived in Ajijic for 5 years. We also met their resident chicken who came with the location for the restaurant. She visits tables and begs food, so Davide, the ow

 I hate cobblestone streets. I've always hated them...the first time in the 80's watching Parisian women in high heels walk naturally across them as I gingerly made my way in my sensible shoes. I've never understood how to maneuver them gracefully.  That being said...  Here we are in Ajijic, Mexico for the first of 3 trips in the next year for Matthew's extensive (and far less expensive) dental work. The town is supposed to be charming, though we got in around 6 pm yesterday so couldn't see much. We walked to the closest restaurant the hotel told us about for dinner around 7:30, and what I noticed were the cobblestone streets and broken sidewalks that ended abruptly. It's Mexico...it's always like this, especially when we first arrive. It takes a little getting used to--the streets often look like crap, but once inside the walls of La Mision   a beautiful decor greeted us....tables surrounding a dropped stage area where 2 men played stringed instrume