The Two Wolves

I am sure that many of you have already heard this little story. I keep it posted on my refrigerator to remind me about it whenever I get to feeling depressed or overwhelmed or like running away from problems and negative experiences. Yesterday was one of those days. This morning it was the first thing I noticed. Someone, maybe the spirit of my mother, brought it to my attention because I needed to read it.

One evening and old Apache told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all "One is Evil---It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is The Spirit--It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?'

The old Apache simply replied, "The one you feed..."

Another Visit from the Plumbers

The new hot water heater wasn't working properly so the two handsome plumbers paid us another visit this morning. That was a treat. I am not the only woman who found them handsome (I got e mails on the blog about them) so it had nothing to do with the fact that they were bringing me more hot water. They are just two very good looking men. I didn't bother them again for photos.  I just enjoyed them from a distance.

One of the nice things about living here is that my landlord takes care of all the business with keeping things running smoothly here. He speaks Spanish. He is very competent. After five years of living next door and sharing the same yard, we are more appreciative of each other. He likes it that Chico hangs out with me and sleeps in my house. He is a very active man and isn't home much. Even though he is eighty years old, he has a busy social life. I am more of a homebody so I hang out most afternoons in the yard with Chico.  I am happy living here. I am happy to be home once again.

My Grocery Bill in Ajijic Today

This is what I bought today at my local grocery store.  Two small filet mignon steaks, enough hamburger for me and Chico for one meal, looks like almost two pounds of bacon, one beer, three zucchinis, eight potatoes, one bottle of olive oil, one sweet roll, one bolillo bread, one large bottle of dish soap, one roll of paper towels, and a small amount of Blue Cheese. When I brought it home Chico went crazy over the smell of the blue cheese. He LOVES it but at almost two hundred dollars a kilo, he only gets a small taste. I only get a small taste too. That is the most expensive item I bought today.   The cost was 19 dollars for everything. Not bad, not bad..... I am guessing that this same amount and kind of food would cost at least 35 dollars in the States.  What is your guess?

La Una Restaurant in Ajijic

La Una Restaurant has only been open for a few months but it seems to have become a very popular place. I had breakfast there today with Chico. They didn't mind that he was with me. It was delicious food. The atmosphere is friendly. They have two outside areas for eating, and two inside areas. It is owned by Douglas and Susanna. It is just around the corner from the Ajijic Plaza. Their phone number is: 331 145 5551 or (376) 766 2072.

Douglas and Susanna

Susanna is the artist

Chico, waiting patiently for me

Rene, the handsome waiter

Back outside eating area

Photos of the Same Old Six Blocks in Ajijic

My son teases me about taking photos of the same six blocks for five years. Well, I am back in Ajijic and taking the same photos once again.

Restaurant at Lake Chapala Society

Lake Chapala Society

Ajijic Plaza

Restaurant at the Ajijic Plaza

Ajijic Plaza

This dog is hanging out by the fountain and the butcher shop. Smart dog.

The Plumbers

He is running the hot water in my bathroom, making sure it works.

I got photos of the two plumbers today while they were putting in the new hot water heater for us. I have been using only small amounts of hot water for five years now. Maybe it is like falling in love with your doctor. They might not have seemed so good looking to me under normal circumstances. But they are bringing me HOT WATER so they seem very handsome right now...... OR maybe they are just handsome men. I can't tell anymore about men. If they are nice to me and respectful, then they are handsome. I like men who make me laugh too. That can make a man very handsome in my eyes.

More Las Islatas Beach Photos

Fried Bananaa

This beach house was destroyed in Hurricane Kenna

Saba

Don and Saba putting their faces inside the truck from their seats in the back

Wanderlust and Homesickness

Last night I was reading a book and  I came upon this quote. It describes exactly how I have been feeling.  It is from a book that was written in German. Titled: Self's Deception by Bernhard Schlink and translated by Peter Constantine. It is a mystery novel.  I was deeply affected by these words as if they came from my own heart:

"But what really preoccupied me that weekend was my wanderlust and homesickness.

Wanderlust is the longing for a new country that we don't yet know, and homesickness is a longing for an old country that we no longer know, even if we think we do.

  Why do I have this longing for the unknown? What do I want--to leave or to return?"

Those words totally capture how I have been feeling here. I change my mind everyday, stay or leave?  Great writing. Wish I could write like that.

The San Blas Borrego Beach

Fishing boats

Fresh coconut meat

Big Dog in the San Blas Plaza

I would hate to have to feed this dog.

Pool Party at the Hotel Bucanero

the building in the background isn't the hotel. it has been abandoned for years.

the water was COLD. You see, only children were willing to use it.

Another Saturday Market in San Blas

On the way to the market

the carnival is still set up at the market

They found some interesting toys

women bringing in cakes to sell