Bela and Manuela at Lake Chapala Nov 2011

While on a too-short trip to Chiapas in May of this year,

Bela, the owner of Bela's B and B,

and Manuela, her wonderful Mayan cook,

and I became fast friends.

They were both here for the past week,

what a treat to see them again!

They came for the Féria Maestros Del Arte -

a once a year extravaganza of artisans from ALL

over Mexico who come to demonstrate their skills

and sell their wares.

This year, Bela and Manuela were brought to

stay with Carrol at La Paloma B and B in Ajijic

and Manuela was commissioned to prepare

an indigenous meal from Chiapas.

They brought special ingredients with them

and the dinner was a huge success.

So much so,  they were

asked to return next year for an encore!

So, if you've never been to the Féria - or Lake Chapala

for that matter - put it on your calendar for next year

and come on down!

Manuela testing out the Fish Chairs at the

Jocotepec malecón.