Mexican Lifestyles

Lee Hopper began visiting his father at Lake Chapala in the 1960s. Now in his sixties, the bilingual Mexican-American has returned to make the area his home and, he says, help make a difference.

In early March Hopper came up with an idea to help youngsters learn the old ways while getting different generations of families to socialize at the plaza. 

The first enormously successful Feria de Capirotada took place on the Ajijic plaza on Sunday, March 22. 

In a small warehouse off the highway in La Canacinta, Argentine native German Schilman is making some of the best beer you’ll find in Ajijic — or anywhere in Mexico. 

Schilman – like many a foreigner who came to travel and stayed for love – made Mexico his home eight years ago and began to discover the craft beer boom. He turned his brewing hobby into a business and began selling beer in September. His Corazon de Malta one-man brewery produces about 90 cases a month of three types of light, but complex tasting ales: English pale ale, American brown ale and American wheat ale. The recipes are his and come from his knowledge of beer making, not copies of some import. Business is booming — clients routinely sell out his product — and expansion to increase production by a factor of ten is in the cards soon. 

Enjoy Schilman’s ales at a variety of local venues: Ocampo 71, The Merendero, Hacienda del Lago, Ajijic Tango, Jardin de Ninete, Licoreria La Paz and La Catrina or visit corazondemaltacom to order direct (free shipping via FedEx in Mexico).

Cedric Defayes has changed the name of his European restaurant on Avenida Lopez Cotilla from Le Bistro to Heidi’s. 

Foreign nationals who are sensitive and easily irritated by excessive noise should consider the wisdom of putting down roots in the Lake Chapala area. This may not be the right place to live happily ever after.

The natural landscape is appealing to the eyes of newcomers. The mild year-round climate is inviting. The relaxed lifestyle here is another draw for many expatriate settlers. But noise, and plenty of it, is an essential factor of day-to-day living in this remote and particular corner of the planet.

Consider that traditional religious fiestas, massive entertainment events, and private celebrations are commonplace throughout the calendar year. And these happenings normally involve music of some kind.

Music is an integral part of Mexican culture. The native people passionately enjoy singing and dancing on any festive occasion. With the use of modern sound equipment, the volume of music is capable of bouncing off the mountain range, rattling windows, and keeping celebrants and neighbors of event centers wide awake until the wee hours.

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Mexico’s celebration of All Souls Day is a colorful tapestry of customs that have evolved from the fusion of pre-Hispanic and Spanish cultures around 500 years ago.

There is no fixed formula for remembering and honoring the dearly departed. Distinctive traditions are observed in different regions of the country and in individual communities. 

In the aftermath of the information session Canadian consular officers from Guadalajara presented at the Lake Chapala Society earlier this month, a new Facebook page has been activated as a networking forum for Canadian citizens living in the lakeshore region.