Has Lake Chapala Ajijic been Ruined by Too Many North Americans?
March 17, 2010
Has Lake Chapala Ajijic been Ruined by Too Many North Americans?
People sometimes say that we Norte Americanos have ruined Ajijic and Chapala and refer to it as “Not the real Mexico.”
Well, I guess this is in the eye of the beholder, but I do know this. The North American community here is loved and respected by the Mexican people.
Most North Americans here realize we’re guests in Mexico and we act accordingly. Do we try and make things better?
Yes, but without spoiling all the wonderful things we all came here to enjoy.
How do we make it better without spoiling it you ask? Well, we raise funds for the local Cruz Roja (Mexican Red Cross), volunteer our time, money and energy at one or more of the local charities like the Love in Action center in Chapala.
We sponsor free English lessons, operate the largest Spanish language library in the entire Lake Chapala area so local people can benefit… and our local Realtors have pitched in too.
Our local MLS Realtor group sponsored numerous high quality trash containers and saw that they were installed all over Ajijic. As part of “Ajijic Limpio”.
Local shops or homeowners do their part by replacing the liners with fresh ones and placing the full bags with their own trash for government pick up.
Yes, the Chapala and Ajijic ex pat community is blessed to have many shop keepers and almost all of the professional folks like doctors and lawyers here to speak basic English.
So is it a crime to be bilingual? Is the area ruined because the people want to please their customers and make it easier to do business with each other?
I think not! I think that both sides win …
as do those ex pats who learn at least basic Spanish.
Did you know that ‘The Friendly local people’ is one of the most frequent responses you’ll get if you stop a local ex pat about what they love most about our little slice of paradise. The other two most frequent responses would be the wonderful weather and the low cost of living.
Take a look at this video which has many shots of the local Mexican people in and around Ajijic, Mexico and you decide if our area looks like it’s overrun with North Americans.
Admittedly there’re probably more of us here than most other places in Mexico but we’ve not “over run the area, but have treated it with respect and honor,,, but don’t take my word for it.
Come and see for yourself. Visit the Lake Chapala Society, Visit the American Legion, attend a play put on by the Lakeside Little Theater group…..
and most importantly practice your Spanish and talk with the local Mexican people (perhaps they’ll practice their English with you) and you will see for yourself the mutual respect our cultures here have for each other..
OK, thanks for listening to my little rant…now sit back and relax and , take just over 7 minutes out of your busy day to feed your soul and give the below video a look and see why so many Norte Americanos call Lake Chapala Ajijic Home. Remember, if you have questions …
I have answers. So we should talk. Sid@ChapalaClub.com
