Dripfeed

I have heard a rain-bird in Ajijic West for 2 days running now. I fear the poor blighter may have woken up a tad too early and is discombobulated? The song is a half hearted one, so perhaps still drowsy?. Anyone else hearing any?

Our experiences were different in past years. Perhaps depends on which office was used? This year I paid at the town hall (ayuntamiento), same place and same floor where predial is paid. They were very friendly and said they will accept a card but will charge 3% more for it. So its an improvement. I do not understand what you mean when you say you send them the receipt (?), but if anyone does need an official receipt, make sure to bring your current constancia and provide them with an email and your regimen (such as persona fisica con actividades empresarial...etc). This is how you can get an official fiscal invoice, which is tax deductible for some. This year I waited 1.5 hours in line to pay predial, so lined up at Simapa at the same time and got that paid before my turn came up for predial. Same amounts as last year. Still don´t understand why this cannot all get done online....

Well, I just checked out all the suggested links to pay this years predial and SImapa. I also checked the ones from last year. Sigh....None of them work. all the phones don't answer or are out of service and the links to pay on line are broken....surprised? Its the annual cash grab free for all everyone, so be sure to pay by credit or debit card only . You need the paper trail. Simapa will probably insist once again on cash only. You can tell me the reasons why but I have my own ideas. Insist on an official factura and give them an email they can send it to. If they say they cannot give one (again), don't pay it until they do or report them to SAT. Simapa tried once to give me a hand written 'nota'. It was either last year or the year before. At the time, I refused to pay because this is neither valid, legal, nor acceptable. If anyone tries this with you, do not give them your money. Either say you will come back when the factura's are available, or go to another office to pay who will give you the factura, and make sure to rget the name of who were talking with when you were refused a factura. BTW, all official factura's are electronic and must be sent to your email. This is federal law. If they give you a paper copy, even if it has an official "sello digital", it is not valid. Report them to SAT. Our faliure to report these things allows the system to remain as it is. Corrupt. The SAT website does work. https://www.sat.gob.mx/personas/otros-tramites-y-servicios Frankly, I don't know if I should be appalled by this annual display, or embarrassed for them. GLTA

Isabel on Guadalupe Victoria is about the best there is. Click on the location on this: Google map link

Dr. Dittmar for spinal...in GDL. I cannot thank him and his team enough. Click on the link to find his contact. English better than mine.. Dr. Dittmar

No problem at all from GDL to anywhere n Ajijic, or anywhere else you care to go. They love the big fares. The price varies depending on the rate scale you select and the time of day. Busy times cost more. I came from my car agency 2 days ago, mid-afternoon, 578 pesos.

Can anyone speak to the quality of the work at these shoe repairs stores? I have been going to Heel Quik in GDL for my shoe repairs, but would love to use local talent if they use good quality materials and workmanship.

If you have a bigger budget then most, and want really good furniture, there are good stores . The first is Antiguo de Mexico in Tlacquepaque Antigua de Mexico There is also Amparo Taylor On Avenida Mexico, corner of Terranova. Amparo Taylor Both stores import quality brand name US furniture (Tommy Bahama, etc). Both offer much better built products than Liverpool, both are expensive. Palacio de Hierro at Plaza Andares also offers good furniture, including well known Italian and Brazilian designers. Also expensive. Have fun.. OH, and don't forget to check out Ajijic's Barbaras bazaar, and ask them what they have in the warehouse. If you don't mind getting it reupholstered, some good stuff shows up there...and a some good upholstery stores too in GDL.

Read the label before you buy. You will quickly realize that not all "pure vanilla" is created equal, some have a lot more fillers than others. I found a good curmarin (sp?) free pure vanilla at El Torrito. Delicious and intense vanilla flavour.

Ask yourself how many times a week you choose NOT to go out because you just don't want to deal with traffic. Every decision to stay home means less dollars added to the economy. Despite this being my first post, I am a long termer here, still working. This is just an issue that finally made me sign up to this rather cantankerous board. I am hearing lots of friends saying they are looking elsewhere for their winter stays. Add debilitating traffic problems to land costs that are getting at the same level as better managed places, and the advantages to choosing lakeside are quickly disappearing. So much so that I am thinking of leaving too. The traffic issue in Ajijic not only limits what can be done in a day, which reduces competitivity, it increase business costs, fleet costs, it reduces quality of life, increases safety concerns, absenteeism, adds slow emergency response times and a host of other issues that are beginning to sound a death knell for the area. It is a very serious issue. I am beginning to think Ajijic will go the way of the dot.com industry. Great while it lasted, but once gone, it will never come back.