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In a recent blog, I talked about Bill’s and my journey to Lake Chapala. I also talked a little about journaling. Throughout my life, I have always seen journaling as one of the easiest and most powerful ways for me to make sense of what was going on in my life. By getting my thoughts out of my head and putting them down in writing, I find I gain more clarity and feel I’m able to make better decisions because of my journaling.

After my divorce I started writing updates to friends and family about what was going on at that moment in my life. I think it was such a confusing time that I needed perspective to make sense of it, and email made it so convenient to share those thoughts with people I loved. I went through several years, one right after another, of my brother dying, my mother dying, a hysterectomy, my dog of 12 years dying and then the loss of my job. Through all of this I wrote in my journal or sent emails to try to make sense of all the jumble and confusion I had going on in my brain.

After moving to Mexico, I saw journaling as a way to explain my new way of life to myself and others. It was so exciting, confusing and wonderful and a little bit intimidating all at the same time that I had to put it down on paper. In fact, it’s been said that journaling is one of the best ways to get over even mild culture shock when moving to a foreign country.

"Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country.”

A certain degree of culture shock can be expected when moving to another country. But don’t despair: Culture shock can be a good thing! It means you’ve crossed the threshold from merely vacationing and thinking of your move as more of an adventure than a relocation! The fact that you might have adjustment difficulties is because you are truly enthusiastic about entering into a new culture and understanding it more fully. The more one dives into the culture (versus skimming it as some tourists do), the stronger the cultural differences will effect you.

This is where journaling comes in…writing a journal back home to your friends and family about your experiences can help you sort through them. It also helps your friends to know that you are living the life with a maid and gardener, that you’re safe and have made many friends, and that you actually have indoor plumbing, Wal-Mart and Costco, and Skippy Peanut Butter! You can also tell them you now know how to make a killer margarita and guacamole to die for when you return for a visit! That’s when people start competing to have you as house guests!

I was reminded about all this recently when Focus alumnus, Kitt Vincent, turned out to be a prima journalist and has included me on her list of friends to receive her frequent updates. Kitt and her husband Bill have dived into the Lake Chapala community with both feet…getting involved in entertaining, quilt clubs, art societies, etc. They are archetypal of the kind of people Focus on Mexico draws to our little slice of paradise…open, adventurous, willing to get involved, meet new people and gain new experiences! They are truly awesome!

I was particularly delighted to read the following update (printed with her permission), about her adventures in Mexico. Kitt and Bill have an abundance of energy, and what a great asset they are to our Lake Chapala community. Not only will you enjoy it to, but you’ll learn what an active life you can have in Ajijic!

What a wonderful few days we have had. First, we went to the Feria Maestros del Artes (Fair of Art Masters) held at the Chapala Yacht Club. The day was beautiful. The sky was clear blue and the temperature perfect. Of course we did not leave empty handed. The tents were full of wonderful things. Bill and I each bought three shirts. His shirts are very bright (glow in the dark), and mine are white with embroidery on them. My shirts were done completely by hand including the seams and hem. I bought a dress and a rebozo. Rebozos are shawls that are hand-woven. They are very wide and long and are worn wrapped in a special way. They had a woman there who would help you put it on correctly. They also had some weavers who were demonstrating their craft. They use cotton or silk thread that is very thin, as small as cone thread that you buy for a serger. Then they create patterns in the shawl. When the weaving is completed, someone else creates knotted designs with the fringe. It is such a work of art. They also had pottery, jewelry and paper mache work that was amazing. The Catrinas, Day of the Dead statues, were incredible.

Then home with our treasures to pack for our trip to the beach.

We were up early and on the road to Manzanillo, a beach town about a four to five-hour drive from Lake Chapala. We arrived before Roberto (our host, Roberto Cerda, owner of La Tasca in Ajijic), so a neighbor helped us into the grounds. They are from San Jose, CA and built their home. They spend a couple of months a year over the holidays in Manzanillo.

Roberto has owned the house for over 25 years. He has renovated the entire place over the years replacing the plumbing and electrical. The gardens were lush with coconuts palms and plain palms. There were flowers and many tropical green plants. He has an above-ground pool and several outdoor eating and cooking areas.

There are four completed casitas on his property, each with a bathroom, kitchenette with frig, stove top, microwave, coffee pot and dishes. There is also a sitting area with a TV and a king size bed. You could see the beach from every patio. The waves roll in and out. What a beautiful sound. The beaches were white sand and a little coarser than Santa Cruz. Roberto said that the black beach was on the other side.

When Roberto arrived, he showered, took a dip in the pool, put on bermudas, a t-shirt and took off his shoes. He never put shoes on again, even when we went out to eat. It was such a relaxing weekend. Bill and Roberto played guitars, and I read books on dyeing and painting fabric. Roberto took us to friends’ restaurants to eat. We ate at fancy places and a streetside eatery that served wonderful Mexican food.

Roberto wrote a beautiful song and asked Bill to help him with lyrics. We are going to record it sometime this week so he can listen to it and sees if something inspires him. Roberto is an amazing man and has so many adventures in his life. He goes to Manzanillo every couple of weeks to take life easy, so we may have to go again just for the relaxation. Roberto is a very humble man who has enough money to live on and support his family and although he could earn enough to be considered rich (arrogant he calls it), he has chosen not to.

We were back in Lake Chapala in time for karaoke on Monday night at Tony’s. It was lots of fun. You spend a wonderful evening with the friends you have made. It is amazing the bonds you make here.

Tuesday was a very busy day. We left the house at 9:00 a.m. to drop off my quilt at the Train Station in Chapala at 10:00 a.m. for the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) “Colors of Mexico” show. We were able to see a few of the other entries. The talent here is amazing and unlimited.

Then we met a friend at Walmart to look at karaoke equipment so she can starting practicing at home. We also ran into another friend who I know from the quilt guild, ASA as well as the multimedia group, and met her husband. It is so nice to see so many people you know and with whom you have much in common.

Then off to rehearsal with Los Cantantes (Los Cantantes del Lago is a community choir made up of about 65-70 singers in Lake Chapala). Bill and I have been asked to sing in two additional mini-concerts as a fundraiser in Jaltepec on December 1 and 2. I am a little nervous since I don't feel that I know the songs well enough, but we have a couple of weeks to get them learned. Bill will be recording the Patsy Cline music this afternoon and then we are going to the rehearsal to see if we can help with anything else. Three out of the four nights are sold out already.

Last night we joined some friends from our Focus group for dinner. It was so much fun. Jim has been taking pictures and entered one of his photos in the ASA show so we will see them again on Friday. Everyone looked radiant. I think that Carol has changed the most. She looked relaxed and was laughing and just enjoying life. They visit Canada frequently and have found a balance that works for them. We went to numberFOUR for dinner (one of the more elegant restaurants in town), and the food was outstanding. They have a piano there and the performer was Richy Day (probably misspelled) who is 85 and sang with the original Ink spots and also sang a bit with the Platters. He was so good. People were dancing and just enjoying themselves. It is too bad that we wait so long to change our lifestyle. Although I think that more young people are moving down now.

Today is the monthly Focus ladies’ luncheon. They are going to have a table for the men, so Bill will be able to join in the group again. We are going to Pepe's, which is a new restaurant in the area. We always go to a different place so you learn about new eateries in the area. Then off to do the recording. Another busy day. It was supposed to be quiet today for us with just the luncheon, but life happens all around us.

We’re just supposed to have a rehearsal tomorrow, so maybe it will remain quiet. Friday is very busy as is the weekend. Sunday is Musician's Day at La Bodega and we will be going. The weather remains heavenly and our lives full.
From paradise,
Love and peace,
Kitt

I feel like a real slacker when I read what Kitt and Bill are doing. But, you know, that’s the nice thing about the Lake Chapala area…it’s up to you. You can be as busy or as lazy as you like. As for me, I think it’s time for my siesta!