I thought that I would start this new Blog with a shot from our favorite Cocktail Balcony. The rare thing about this shot is the billowy white clouds, a rare sight indeed and the first ones that we have seen in three months, simply beautiful. As I said, the temperature does not vary much. We have seen a high of 77 and a low of 60, this includes day and night and no weather channel and the people don't talk about the weather, it is always the same.


Well, it is Chili Cook off time again. This is a big event here at lakeside, 30 years running. All profits go to local charities. A wonderful opportunity for the Expatriates to give back via the fine local charities. This wonderful example of some local artist is but a sampling of more fine art to come.

What can I say but color galore. This years art vendors simply blew my mind.

The displays of these fine hand woven colorful rugs were very tempting.

The versatile calabash gourds can be found through out Central America, but never have we seen any as intricately carved as this collection of shakers.

A poor shot of some great artwork. These traditional scary masks are used in a local annual ritual. Adorned with real ram's horns and various animal skulls, these mask do a great job of being scary.

The high quality workmanship in all the pottery here was unbelievable. I tried to figure out the symbolism on this vase but it is anyone's guess at this point.

This painting was screaming out to me. Such color, action and lighting. I would love to take it home but would probably loose it to customs. Cockfighting is illegal in the US.

This hand crafted leather coat at $170 was very tempting, nope got to stick with the budget.

These fast moving colorful dancers are a real treat and a fine example of Color in motion

I call this shot "the Myth Buster" Local legend has it that these colorful dancers don't ware under paints for air-conditioning reasons. I think that it is a ploy to get the boys to pay attention.

Color Style and Grace, These dancers have it all. What a performance.

Let's see where was I, Oh yes, Chili Cook off. I don't know if Larry Allen won or not but he should have gotten some kind of a prize for his shirt.

We sampled so many entrées that everything became a blur. They were all great I don't have a clue as to how they chose the best one. After 20 samples, no dinner necessary.

I didn't catch the name of this band but had I not known better I would have swore that this was Santana. What a kick ass performance.

Sunday after the Cook off, our friends Chuck and Carol (the couple that introduced us to Lake Chapala) took us to lunch at this open restaurant that seats 600 people. What a treat to be with the two of them and their Mom's, Evelyn and Muriel. Great entertainment, food, company and of coarse Tequila

These huge open-air restaurants with their fire pit cooking are very popular through out the area, especially as you get closer to Guadalajara. Delicious And Yes, you can expect to see one of them at the holler this summer and enjoy first hand, this unique way of cooking

The ever-present Mariachis were great and right next to our table. This trumpet player could easily have performed alone. What a thrill

Time for another Sun Set Shot. This was an unusual windy evening and the choppy water with the brilliant Sun Set combined for a compelling shot.

As most of you knew, the 20th was a total eclipse of the Moon. We hired a boat to anchor in the middle of the lake for cocktails, watched the entire sky come ablaze with the glow of the setting sun and toped off with a total eclipse of the moon. Definitely an overload

How about some vibrant, aromatic, Red Roses for a beautiful lady. 6 of them for 90 cents, this was a win-win expenditure

OK one last sunset before we head up to San Miguel de Allende to visitWally and Sue for a couple of weeks. The next Blog will be all about our trip. Stay tuned. Bill and Barb