Marta, our scholarly cleaning lady, doubles as my Spanish teacher, masseuse and also does reflexology. She has been a great addition to our life in Mexico teaching us about culture, history and always available if we need help with translation. She knows about herbs, and alternative medicine and is a unique and self educated person we cherish.
Cristie teaches biology and is enjoying the birds, plants and different flora and fauna here. We visited Aijijic and stopped in at the Lake Chapala Society. She is admiring the coffee plant on a beautiful sunny day.
The water lily pond at the LCS is always a delight. There are mauve and yellow lilies now in bloom. It's like a fairie garden, very lush with meandering paths that lead to quiet tables where one can sit and read or enjoy some tea. A lovely oasis in a busy town. (Aijijic)
The ability to create a lush and beautiful environment in an otherwise desert like area is due to the gift of underground water. Chapala has large reserves of thermal water that enable all kind of farming from berry farming, onions, melons, squash and many many other crops. Fruit trees grow here with abundant harvests!
I have never seen this flower before and don't know the name. It is one of the many gorgeous plants one can view at LCS.
We wandered to the shores of Lake Chapala in Aijijic. Cristie teaches biology so was able to name the various birds I often see. I was surprised to see a collection of different water birds I'd never seen (or noticed) before.
The yellow Primavera tree just burst into bloom with brilliant masses of yellow flowers. Since it has no green leaves, this tree is a great splash of colour on the side of the highway. Next to it is the lovely orange Tulip Tree that flowers for a very long time. These two flowering trees when planted close together
compliment each other. Mexico is a feast for those who love tropical colours!
As always, the sun and relaxed life here agrees with me. I have been painting silk, exercising, socializing, studying Spanish and feeling so much better than I do during a Canadian winter. We can't choose where were born, but we can choose (if lucky) where we thrive!
We went to the Thursday Tianguis in Jocotepec and enjoyed all the unknown dried legumes, nuts, seeds and delicacies. Even the unprepared foods offer such a variation of colours!
