Friday was the most amazing day. Steve headed out early to play tennis. The whole morning was mine. Such possibility! We would meet later for lunch. In the meantime I was ready for adventure.
It started with a conversation with Anji, the housekeeper. I had been told she spoke zero english. I was prepared. I had to look up a few words, but was able to fully communicate in Spanish. Don’t get me wrong. I am not fluent, but I am not afraid to sound like a two-year-old. And I am fascinated by the human brain. And the capacity to stretch and change. In the states I lose my grasp of Spanish almost as soon as the plane lands. And somehow, miraculously it returns almost as quickly upon return. After a successful exchange with Anji I bid her adios and hit the cobblestone streets. Ready for a walkabout. I visit fruit stands and thrift stores and bike shops. I greet other explorers. I spend a few hours speaking, and hearing only Spanish. I am giddy with joy.
Here comes the Not Always What It Seems Part….
This is one of our favorite little lunch spots. Great falafel, yummy salad.
But, que cres! (guess what). It’s not a food truck. It’s a sweet little outdoor restaurant with a tiny kitchen reminiscent of the food truck in the movie Chef. If you haven’t seen Chef, do it! Great movie.
And how about this one…am I looking up or staring down. What ya think?
As I continued wandering around in search of a papaleria (shop with notebooks, pens, etc) a car slows down and deposits, of all people… Steve! Right there on the curb. We laugh at how small the world seems to be. Other cars honk. We wave good-bye. And walk a few more blocks together. Headed for our big event of the day. Lunch with music at Cafe Domenech. Located in the heart of Ajijic at LCS (Lake Chapala Society). There are beautiful gardens with quiet places to sit, an English lending library beyond belief, and helpful volunteers (Steve’s sister is one of them) who provide ex-pats local information, legal guidance, classes ranging from Zumba to bridge, or conversational Spanish to planning your will. It’s kind of an ex-pat oasis! A watering hole of sorts. And just when you think it sounds like a hip Senior Center, you find this Mexican cafe nestled in the foliage. Totally wonderful food. And some of the best jazz around. Day or night.
On this particular Friday there was a Mexican buffet and 3 hours of music dedicated to a local lover of the arts who passed recently. This day is a tribute to the “colonel”. And this colonel had nothing to do with fried chicken. I was in heaven. I mean I sat in this garden of Eden while cats stretched out in the sun. Colorful birds flitted about. A perfectly balanced sound system and a laid-back audience ready to share the feast. Saxophone and drums. Crazy-good guitars. And music that took me everywhere from Rt. 66 to Zaragoza… and everywhere in between. As Van Morrison says “ we sailed into the mystic.”
I am tired now so I will continue this story later. But I leave you with one more not-what-it-seems picture. Look closely and you will find a clue. My next blog will be titled A Blog of His Own.
.
And from Steve
The Tao gives birth to all beings,
nourishes and cultivates them,
cares for them, maintains them,
takes them back to itself.
The Tao creates without possessing,
gives without expectation,
guides without interfering,
fosters growth without ruling.
This is called hidden virtue. Verse 51
What an amazing universe we live in. We are being sustained with food, sunlight, shelter, and an abundance of support from the universe.
A survey of nations found us at the very top of the list of people with a culture of rugged individualism. Getting Americans to agree and live cooperatively is our challenge.
In Mexico people live without a safety net. With no outside social support, families and communities become essential. Necessity breeds cooperativeness, and inter-caring.
Which brings me to a difficult dream that I had last night. I don’t remember the topic, but I awoke to my bedroom with lights on, and Debbie coming up the steps at 3 AM.
She said I was screaming. “I need some help. Somebody help me.”
In an abundant and nurturing universe help is always available. Hello world. Time for me to ask for help. 🌻😎❤️
Steve & Debbie’s Grand Adventure 