Welcome Home Mom

Friday, January 16, 2009


Now everyone has seen Patricio on the blog, we may have to bring him back to Canada with us. It looks like everyone adores him. Hey you guys he’s Chilean and on top of that he is related to Ramiro. What else do you expect. We may see more of him, because we’d love to spend some time with him at the beach or perhaps when we come back to Chapala.

“Do we really have to go through Guadalajara again?” I ask Ramiro as we prepare for our return to Cofradia. “No, not really, we can make a detour and go via Chapala”, he replies.
Well, you don't have to tell me twice. Chapala is only 30 minutes south of the airport. I love that place. It’s right by Lake Chapala. Last year we spent some time here looking for a house. We still have this idea in the back of our heads, but we spent our money on a fiberglass house. Remember that one on wheels?
I ask Mama if she likes to make some side trips or if she wants to go straight home.
“Oh, no, I feel great and love to see things. Besides, those No Jet Lag pills you gave me work great" She says.
We park the car in town and walk along the beautiful boulevard along the lake.
It did not look as pretty as last year when we were here. They are really fixing it up. We see many Alberta license plates, and North American faces and are greeted in English here and there. All along Lake Chapala, many Canadians and Americans have winter homes. According to National Geographic, the Guadalajara/Chapala area has the best climate in the world. Except yesterday when we drove through it. Today the sun is shining again, but the wind is cool.
We visit the church and the market and drive west along the lake through the many villages. The entire area is very much American oriented. Signs with English are seen everywhere. We visit one of the new gated housing developments and decide this is not for us. We rather blend in with the locals.
At the end of the lake we turn south, through the town of Jojotepec and check out Roca Azul RV Park. A gorgeous setting at the lake. Very peaceful away from the city. We may spend a few days here next month before Mama leaves.

It’s time for lunch, we better find something before we go back on the road again.
There’s not a restaurant in sight, so tacos from the street vendor it will be.
If after today, there is no continuation of the blog, you’ll know that this may not have been a wise decision.

We continue north direction Guadalajara and before we hit the city limits, south west onto the Autopista towards Colima. We have driven this stretch several times and have wondered about that beautiful church we have seen from the distance. We allow ourselves the time to turn east off the Autopista and drive into Atoyac to see the church from close by.
Today is market day and Ramiro tries to convince Mama to buy a pair of tight fitting jeans.

When we approach Guzman we turn off again with the expectation to find a Soriana. Bingo! And we don;t even have to go deep into the city. We stock up on groceries and decide to continue on the free road to allow Mama to see the beautiful views along this winding narrow road.

Yesterday, when we drove there, I noticed a small shrine of the Virgin of Guadeloupe. We make a quick stop.
Just as the sun is setting we arrive in Cofradia.
We drive through the poor town over the bumpy road. Mom is wondering how we ever found this place. It’s not even on the map. "And so far away" She says. Once she sees the motor home, she agrees that this is heaven.
Welcome home Mom. Enjoy your stay.