Mezcala is located east of Chapala and in front of
Mezcala Island
Out on the east end of Lake Chapala,
about 20 minutes from Chapala by car,
is a very small village said to be a 'closed community'.
Apparently that means everyone there is from there
and that's the way they like it!
They are also known to have many of their sons live and work
in the US as a closely connected group
They are also known to have many of their sons live and work
in the US as a closely connected group
who not only send money back to their families,
but also to the community
earmarked for town projects.
Mezcala is a pleasant village with a small, but interesting,
museum on the plaza
and a dock at the foot of the main street
where you can hire a panga
to take you out to Mezcala Island
to explore the island and the ruins of a prison.
Unfortunately, weather did not permit that for us.
Not only that, they were setting up for their
yearly fiesta and the town and plaza were chock-a-block
with generators, trucks, and machinery.
Rendering it all but useless for good photos.
A castillo awaiting assembly.
The church is lovely.
In spite of the banger statue out front.
And so sweet inside.
As I was threading my feet through kilometers of laid cables,
I heard in passing "Hi, are you guys having fun?".
WHA???
José introduced himself in English, perfect and without an accent,
and said he was the new
head of the tourist police for the village of Mezcala.
José recently returned from Georgetown, CA,
where he was a CDF firefighter.
He's currently busy training firefighters and police here in Mexico.
If you go, be sure and find José so he can tell you
about Mezcala and show you around.
He is delightful and knowledable.
Stay tuned for a more indepth view of Mezcala
and the island - when the sun shines again!
Hope that happens soon!
with generators, trucks, and machinery.
Rendering it all but useless for good photos.
A castillo awaiting assembly.
The church is lovely.
And so sweet inside.
As I was threading my feet through kilometers of laid cables,
I heard in passing "Hi, are you guys having fun?".
WHA???
José introduced himself in English, perfect and without an accent,
and said he was the new
head of the tourist police for the village of Mezcala.
José recently returned from Georgetown, CA,
where he was a CDF firefighter.
He's currently busy training firefighters and police here in Mexico.
If you go, be sure and find José so he can tell you
about Mezcala and show you around.
He is delightful and knowledable.
Stay tuned for a more indepth view of Mezcala
and the island - when the sun shines again!
Hope that happens soon!
Mezcala Island is fascinating to explore - in 1812 locals at the fort there repelled the Spanish army for so long that they were able to negotiate a beneficial truce. Well, at least they evaded the alternative of complete slaughter, very unusual in those days! I wonder if today's residents don't get a feeling of pride about that.
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