In early March, the Cousin (who has visited us now in three countries!) came down to see Ajijic and visit us. A few days after her arrival my Very Good Friend also arrived for a visit. These two did not know each other, but they had agreed to share a house just around the corner from us. The Husband and I had a serious case of house envy after seeing their place though! It was so nice…and it had a water purification system. This alone is enough to make us weep. The thought of being able to brush your teeth with water from the tap…more than words can express. We were very excited to show these two a little of this area of Mexico. First lesson – ALWAYS watch where you are walking. Wonky sidewalks, dog poop, loose stones, random weirdness – you get the picture.
Our first morning was spent with a walk along the lake, showing off some of the most scenic spots. It was fun to hear “oh, I saw that on your blog”! And, of course, we could not resist taking them to our very favorite restaurant here, Teocintle!
When we were here a couple of years ago we went to the thermal spas in a neighboring town. It was such a nice experience I really wanted to go there again. My Very Good Friend and I went there the morning after she arrived. I had a car arranged to take us there (we will never drive in Mexico if we can help it). I’m sure she was really wondering were I was taking her…we bypassed the nicer looking place and stopped in front of this seriously divey looking hotel. I wish I had taken a photo. It’s really sketchy (it is called Hotel Balneario). Then you get to the back…massive pools, all kinds of slides and fun stuff for kids! Again, bad blogger, I didn’t take a photo! Make your way through the pools, towards the lake and you arrive at this beautiful, peaceful area…
I apologize for the lack of photos of…everywhere…but the thermal bath area especially. It is an awkward place to try to take pictures – you’re wet, it’s not like your phone is out and handy – you know?
The area of San Juan Cosala has been known for the thermal waters since ancient times. The springs are warmed by volcanic magma and are full of all kinds of good minerals. There are six different tubs. You sit in each one for about 30 minutes and go through the tubs in a prescribed order. You are served various herbal teas while soaking to even more improve the health benefits.
The tubs available the day we were there were, in order: apple cider vinegar (to bring you to an alkaline state), floral (mainly hibiscus and rose), sea salt and magnesium, coffee – seriously, it was full of ground coffee, oat – not only in the tub, but there were additional bowls of it to smear on your face and body, and MUD! You smear your body (and each other!)with mineral mud, then stand out in the sun (since we arrived in the morning we were a bit chilled unfortunately) until dry and hard. After you are dry you hop into the muddy water and rinse off for a while. I was amazed at how good I felt. Once we were done in the tubs we spent a little time in the two steam rooms (neither was overly hot) and inhaling herbs. If we had chosen to we could have had massages or many other treatments. What a fabulous time!
Since I had done this before I knew what to expect when I took a shower afterwards…coffee grounds and flower petals all over inside my swim suit!
The following day we had a cooking class to attend 😍I have always wanted to know how to make tamales, so when we had the opportunity to choose a class to learn that skill I was all over it! In Ajijic there is this wonderful lady named Linda. She is Venezuelan by birth and has been a chef all over the Americas. In Spanish grandmother is abuela, so Linda is called Abuelinda. It’s so cute! Our class was not held at Abuelinda’s kitchen, but at the home of her assistant Fatima, who is reputed to be the best tamale maker in the area…oh yummo! She taught us how to make poblano and cheese tamales, and also chicken tamales. Fatima has a couple of special tricks with her masa that make them light and a little fluffy, not dense and heavy. Heavenly!! The best part about making them? Eating the tamales! We sat down and had lunch together – there may have been some ugly tamales in there but they certainly tasted good. For dessert Fatima made pineapple tamales…I had never had a sweet tamale before – delicious!
We had lots of other fun activities throughout the time they were here, and way too many good meals. One other thing we did…and I’m kind of ashamed to say that this was the first we did this…we went to Guadalajara itself. Yeah, I know, pathetic. We only spent a few hours in one area but it was good to see something of the city!
Besides going in the cathedral we also went to the Mercado Libertad. This was an interesting place. Not somewhere I feel the need to ever go back to. We had discussed whether to go to the Mercado or to Tlaquepaque (just outside of Guadalajara). We chose to go to the Mercado so that we could go into the city. I’m glad we went there, but I am sorry we won’t get to Tlaquepaque. The Mercado had some unique items, but it felt like most of it was mass produced junk, rather than handcrafts.
We hope the two ladies had a good time while they were here. I’ve never been to any of the Mexican beach towns, but I’m guessing this is a bit of a different experience!
Here’s a couple of random about town photos –
This post took a bit for me to get done. It’s been hard to focus this last week as the world has changed dramatically. I’m so glad our guests came when they did!