barrbower

My download speed is always around 10 mbps here in Riberas. I stream videos and TV without problems. I connect to any website I desire without problems....except this webboard no matter how I try to access it. A few others I've talked to have the same problem connecting here that I have. So...What is wrong with this site? I was hoping a moderator or tech person associated with Chapala.com would answer with real info. Alan

Although it is working at this moment, in the past it has not opened when using the bookmark or doing a Google search and trying the various sites listed. It goes to a blank screen and then a blue lettered menu opens on the left hand side of the page but it doesn't link to anything. I'm not doing anything different right now than when it didn't work previously. And why do some regular contributors feel the need to be snarky at every opportunity? That question should get a snappy (yet snarky) response! Alan

What is happening with this webboard? It seems to be down more often than not. Don't tell me you are updating some operational aspect. Too much downtime for that excuse. Alan

The BBQ store near the Pemex in Riberas probably has anything you could need for grills and tanks.

I've only had a couple of traffic stops (for legit reasons) and was treated nicely on both occasions. Was not asked for bribe and I didn't offer one. Didn't get a ticket either. If I ever do get a ticket, I will pay it since I'm sure I have broken so many traffic laws by now that I'd feel like it was finally my karma to get a ticket. Back in 1972, I did bribe two Federales to avoid being deported. That cost me sixteen dollars, two beers, and is another story... Alan

All the buses from here go to the old bus station. You don't have to tell them which terminal you want as you have no choice. Walk out the exit and take a cab which will probably only be about 50 pesos. Do the next leg of your trip by cab the same way...just flag one down and give him the address. Cab back to the old bus station by telling the cab driver bus station for Chapala. He'll know which one that is. There are still lots of local buses running around in Guad but you would have to change bus lines several times and they are slow and crowded. In addition, if you don't know where it runs you could spend a lifetime trying to figure it out. Just take cabs once you get into town. Alan

So, Pappy, A poor person who develops diabetes due to making poor health choices, or a young farmer who develops cancer due to long term exposure to chemicals he chose to use, or a construction worker who chooses to work on a roof and falls off doesn't deserve help from any taxpayer even though those folks might not make enough to buy insurance. Even with insurance, there could be long term effects to deal with that are beyond that individual' ability to sustain himself. Is there going to be a death panel that decides who deserves to get help? Is that your job? Some addictions to alcohol, pain meds, and other drugs are the results of genetics, depression, over-prescribing by doctors, etc. Don't make uninformed statements that are based on your own personal bias. It is a complicated issue that requires more than a "Trump like" knee jerk response. Alan

In answer to lakeside7's question...as long as there are political parties...and that is more true than ever in the US as well. We all just keep tolerating and getting the government we deserve. Alan

We love it here but having just returned from a week long trip to Mexico City (cento historico and Coyoacan) I can say that Guadalajara and the Lake Chapala areas are not nearly as clean or well maintained. We never saw dog poop on a sidewalk but saw plenty of hard working folks sweeping the streets. Never saw anybody throwing their trash on the streets either. The roads were in much better condition than here also. Chilangos tend to look down on Tapatios and not, I think, just because CDMX is six times bigger than Guad. They tend to see Guad as provincial in a lot of social ways including how they take care of their own city and each other. By the way, the sky was blue and their brown cloud was not as bad as Guad's either. No place is perfect but this area is home for us and we would like to see it improve in a few ways that seem achieveable if you look at what other areas have done...even Mexico City which has made great strides in the face of much bigger challenges. Alan

I think the original question is about being targeted because of your US plated vehicle. I think anybody who would target you for being a gringo is going to know that without being aware of your car tags. If your concern is about being bothered by cops for mordidas because of the tags...well, I think that could happen anywhere in Mexico. We just recently drove over with some friends and had a safe trip and a good time. Lots of tourists, very friendly locals, lots of shopping. I'm pretty sure we stood out like a small group of "sore thumbs" even without US plates on our car. We walked around at night and drove on some back roads and never had a problem. Everybody has to weigh the risks in life no matter where you go. Many of your friend and family back "home" probably think you are crazy for even being in Mexico! Alan

Do residentes permanentes need to show US passports to clear security or board planes or will the permanente green card work OK? Rather not carry passport if it isn't needed. Alan

The pool shop east of Superlake does not carry the bulbs and their filter prices are way higher than other places...I was just there. Alan

Across from Telmex is a store called Mundo del Agua which has the filters and the UV lamps and they have the best prices in town that I've found. Alan

Our phone has been out since Saturday also. Internet still OK. I was told today at Telmex the outage is due to the CFE power outage and resulting surge when re-established power went through some Telmex equipment. Truth? Who knows? But between these two masters of infrastructure and customer service, I'm sure it will all be resolved promptly... Alan

Very few gas mowers need actual repair. If there is an engine problem you are probably better off replacing it. Most mowers just need a few basic things done every year or two depending on how much mowing they actually have done. They need a new filter, a new spark plug, the oil changed, and the blade sharpened. Be sure to check the freshness of the fuel. If it smells like varnish then that is what it is and should be dumped. That's it. Don't let the traveling sharpening guy with the whistle "sharpen" anything...ever. Take out the old plug and filter and take with you to buy ones that match. Most gardeners know very little about basic repairs so maybe the repair shop could change the oil and sharpen the blade for you. Alan

For frame of reference only...2016 stats for the "safer" USA...these are totals for one year only. No place is perfectly safe nor perfect in any way. bank robberies-5,110 reported forcible rapes-96,000 armed robberies-305,000 burglaries-3,700,000 violent crimes during robbery-267,000 car thefts-753,000 murders-17,250 child abuse referrals to protection agencies-6,600,000 Alan

Years ago the lake held large quantities of charales, catfish, perch, carp, and whitefish. Tilapia was introduced at about the same time water levels began to drop and the tilapia ate everything else. Now we have bass added and you can probably say goodbye to the tilapia and any small remaining populations of native fish. Not that I'm saying it is all a bad thing just that it will change because bass are voracious eaters and they will also eat small turtles and baby ducks and other birds. Fun to catch though and could be good for the economy. Alan

Well, things have changed in both areas and in fact you could consider them a single area now. I first lived here 45 years ago and "way back then" Chapala was where ALL the infrastructure was and where most of the gringos lived. Chapala is where you went to eat out, bank, go to the doctor, do your shopping, hang out at the American legion, etc. Or you had to go to Guad. Ajijic was a very small artist community where a few hippie and beatnik types mingled with writers, musicians, and painters. Most gringos lived right in town and town ended where the panteon is. The only Tapatios here came on Saturday or Sunday night to dance to live bands at the old Posada which was the only nice hotel in town as well. There were no two story buildings, streets went all the way around the plaza, the one public phone was in a tienda where the everything store now sits and the movie theater on the plaza showed mostly Mexican films. One traffic light, one Pemex station (also only one in Chapala and one in Joco) and no malecon. Just a flood plain and a pier that went under water during the rainy season. No libramiento and a highway that washed out regularly just this side of Chapala. Yes things change and much of the change makes things a little more congested and noisy but change also brings in more more options for those of who decide to make this place home...options that much of the world can't even fathom. Alan