Wal Mart and the Hot Springs at San Juan Cosala

A giant Wal Mart supercenter opened in this area recently. They had a grand opening and traffic in town was jammed up all day. I hope this isn't the beginning of the end for the small town feel of Ajijic. I heard that they employed two thousand Mexican locals. That is good but the pay isn't.

I worry about the Mexicans who make their living from the outside markets. There is always someone standing on a street corner trying to sell something to the people passing by. A few days ago I was walking into town and a Mexican man tried to sell me a set of windshield wipers."Por su caro." he said. "No caro." I responded as I walked on past.

He looked at his friend and said, "Pobre American."

The Mexicans here are used to rich Americans and they drive cars. Maybe the sales man was surprised that I was walking. Also, it is about six months until the next rainy season. A very optimistic salesman.

Yesterday I went to the hot springs at San Juan Coasla. On the packed bus ride home I was the only Gringa. I don't often see Americans walking or riding buses. Maybe it has something to do with the average age of gringos here. I would guess that to be in the mid seventies.

It was another beautiful, sunny day yesterday. Not crowded at the hot springs. I was able to swim some laps and soak in the hot tubs.

There was a group of about a dozen Mexican women playing in the pool. An elderly Mexican man sat in a plastic lawn chair on the side of the pool next to them.

There is a round cement platform with a pole in the middle with a metal umbrella at the top of it. The women were sitting in a circle on the plactform watching one woman perform on the pole, They were singing songs and clapping their hands while the woman did a mock pole dance for them. Everyone was laughting and having a great time. Then she chose someone else to perform.

The women were middle aged, conservative looking, probably housewives and mothers. They would start out acting shy and embarrassed but as the singing got more racus they would strut their stuff, swinging around on the pole like strippers in Vagas. It was fun to watch.

The elderly man was having a great time too. Not learing, just enjoying the company of the women as they had fun expressing their sensuality. Mexican women are usually reserved in public and this was a treat to see them so relaxed and self expressive. I didn't see any children or husbands around and maybe that is why they felt freer. No expectations.....

I hope to make it to the hot springs often. I tried swimming in the public pool in Chalapa. It is large, maybe three times larger than the pool at San Juan Cosala but it is cold lake water. The bottom of the pool is even covered in slime. It is a beautiful place in the middle of a park with a view of the lake. I was the only one there except for the two men cleaning the pool. I knew why once I put my feet in the cold water. From now on I will spend the extra money and go out to the hot springs aat San Juan Cosala instead.