Walking the Streets of Chapala, Mexico
Chapala is a town and a municipality in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Due to its location on Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Chapala, this town is a popular destination for weekend tourists, primarily from Guadalajara, a large city about 28 miles to the northwest. Chapala and its neighboring town of Ajijic are also popular destinations for expatriates from the U.S. and Canada seeking temperate weather and a laid-back lifestyle.
The sun breaks over the horizon and spills its golden light over the colorful hillside homes of Chapala, Mexico. Enjoying a cup of coffee, I consider the plans for my day. My attention turns to the statue of Cristo Rey atop the hillside, arms spread wide, as if offering a suggestion to explore the streets below. The sun shining brightly, it is a good day for walking the streets of Chapala, camera in hand, no other agenda required.
I make my way through the beautiful courtyard of my apartment, pausing briefly to pay homage to an avocado tree that greets me daily. Just down the street and around the corner, I run into a neighborhood dog who appears unimpressed with my enthusiasm and my camera.
As my walk continues, this pooch’s lack of enthusiasm is replaced with the smiling faces of residents making the most of a beautiful day. Colorful storefronts begin to fill with customers looking for goods and conversation. The air is filled with the sweet smells of the panaderia and the savory food items offered by street vendors.
I stop to admire the architecture of the towering Parroquia de San Francisco, seen above. Taking a break in the shade at the Malecon de Chapala offers an opportunity to capture this beautiful church from another vantage point. The Malecon is a beautiful boardwalk or promenade along Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake. The beauty of the Malecon de Chapala can be observed in my journal entry here.
As the sun gets lower on the horizon, the skies become overcast. Chapala lights up as I begin to make my way back home.
The day ends where it begins and I arrive home just in time to catch remnants of a sunset as storm clouds approach. It appears the rain will be heavy tonight.
Great photos!
Thanks Melisa ?
Just beautiful!! Great photography!!
Thanks Kristen. So glad you enjoyed the photos.
Skip,
Your photographs are AMAZING and I love the written commentary, I really felt that I was on a day out with you! Excellente!
Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
Hi Sarah. So happy you could stop by. Thank you for the great comment. I really appreciate it. I hope you can stop by more often.
I ADMIRE YOU PHOTOGRAFIES AND IDEAS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRATION.
Hi Alfredo. Thank you for your encouraging words, they are also an inspiration. Take care.
A work of love. Thank you for sharing!
Keya, thank you for taking the time to visit and your kind words. Much appreciated ?
love the photos. I plan on visiting Lake Chapala in March. I have three more years to retire and would love to move there.
Hi Anita. Happy to hear you enjoyed the photos of Chapala. There are several towns for you to check out in the Lake Chapala area. There is a very efficient bus system there that can get you to many of the towns for you to explore. Safe travels. Hope to see you here again.
I love all of your photos and the subjects. I lived in Ajijic and Chapala for 12 years and loved every minute of it. I made so many wonderful friends while there. I am now back home in Houston, Texas to be with family and friends here. I will always miss Mexico. Love to all my friends there that I had to leave.
Beverley Dawson
Hi Beverly. Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the photos. Please try to check in from time to time as there are more images from my travels to come. Wishing you and your family good health.
Thank you for sharing. The photos are lovely, and you have a writing style I can appreciate (as a former teacher).
Hi Jackie. Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words. Your comments on my writing are greatly appreciated. I try not to clutter the images with too many words, but I do like to provide some insight and perspective. Some posts will be a little more poetic than others. I enjoy when that type of writing just starts flowing out of me. Hope to see you here again soon.
LOVED it and envy your adventures. I’m not very mobile these days and you offer the opportunity to fill my heart with the joys of living in this paradise. GRACIAS!
Hi Roxanne: It means a lot to receive comments like this. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know my work brings you that kind of joy. I hope I can continue to do so in the future. Thank you and good health to you.
Oh so beautiful. Thank you.
Maya, thank you for the kind words. I hope you visit often.
WOW! You are such a talented photographer. Beautiful work.
Hi Dianne: Thanks! I really appreciate your encouraging words. I’ll do my best to keep the photos coming. Take care.