Columns

Lent, the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, commenced February 26. While generally considered among practicing Christians as a time for penance and fasting, in Mexico it stands out for the guilty pleasures of indulging in lip-smacking culinary specialties of the season.

I think it’s safe to say that anyone who came from abroad at least five years ago to reside at lakeside no longer counts as a newcomer. They’ve learned the ropes, figured out how to get by in an unfamiliar cultural environment, and fit in with a compatible social circle.

Anybody who’s been driving the Chapala-Ajijic-Jocotepec corridor lately can verify it’s a jungle out there. The poor state of streets and roadways, aggravated by the on-going “improvements” of the ciclovía, make for perilous travel for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike.

As one of the few survivors of Lakeside’s very first chili cookoff, this weekend’s 42nd edition conjures up lots of bittersweet memories.

What a treat! I was delighted to spend a few precious hours with two of my oldest and dearest Ajijic amigas who happened to be visiting in town last week.

In these troubled times is easy to get mired down in moods of doom and distress. The best remedy is to let your heart be light by focusing on things positive.