At over 5000 feet in elevation, Ajijic is a tourist town and a place of residence for both Mexican nationals and foreigners. It's among many towms on the shores of Lake Chapala, in the state of Jalisco. Ajijic is about 1100 miles south of Tucson Arizona and about 35 miles south of Guadalajara Mexico. It and other lakeshore communities are flush with retail and service businesses of almost every kind. Many cater to the needs of over 6,000 foreigners from all over the world but mostly from Canada and the United States. Luxury view homes dot the northern hillsides overlooking the lake. Add together a quality housing market, some of the best weather in the world, a moderate cost of living, and a friendly atmosphere, and the area becomes an idyllic living environment for many. Despite its beauty, Lake Chapala is shallow, badly polluted, and not a place for water sports or fishing. Some say the lake helps moderate temperatures from summer to winter and from daylight to nightime. Except for the main highway that runs along the lake, the streets in Ajijic are hand made from large rounded stones so driving on them is bumpy at best. Some say stone roads help maintain an element of rustic charm. Bigger towns along the lakeshore have paved streets. There are several supermarkets and many real estate offices. Buying and selling real estate is a hot topic for discussion around town. The photos on these pages have been taken over a period of three years. Feel free to comment. More photography of the Lake Chapala and Ajijic area is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shmiller/sets/72057594104626989/ Steve Miller is a full-time resident of the lakeside community. -September 2006