Ajijic

Una de las bocinas ubicadas en la plaza principal, frente al kiosco.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Volvieron a cantar las bocinas de la plaza principal de Ajijic. Y es que, desde este lunes 17 de enero, se pudo ver desde temprano como reparaban las dos bocinas que se encuentran frente al kiosco, las cuales, para medio día, ya estaban reproduciendo melodías.

El Encargado de Despacho Maximiliano Macías Arceo, aseveró que las bocinas se encontraban en mal estado, con nidos de insectos en su interior. Pese a que no está seguro de cuánto tiempo tenían sin funcionar, aseguró que se les dio un mantenimiento en su interior, así como limpieza en su exterior el cual cree que fue el primero en varios años “cuando las bajamos estaban casi pegadas”, acotó para después agregar que el Ayuntamiento de Chapala llevó los gastos.

En cuanto al programa que manejan, aseguró que principalmente serán estaciones de radio, por ejemplo: Fórmula Melódica, La Buena Onda, Radio Gallito, EXA FM, etcétera. “Se podría también contemplar usarlas para vocear anuncios desde la delegación, o utilizarlas como sonido. Aun así, esperamos indicaciones del presidente para usarlas de la mejor manera”.

Los arreglos fueron bien recibidos por los pobladores que suelen transitar o permanecer en la plaza. “Se siente como antes, es agradable escuchar la radio, porque a veces en donde uno está no agarra bien la señal, aquí sí, y se escucha muy bien. Ya me vine a comer mis cacahuates y sentarme un ratito a platicar de las noticias que salen”, comentó don Nico, que suele ir por las mañanas.

El horario tentativo que manejarán será de 9:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. Por el momento han recibido buenos comentarios de los pobladores.

Recaudación de SIMAPA Ajijic 2022.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- El director del Sistema Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (SIMAPA) Ajijic, Timoteo Aldana, aún no ha recibido instrucciones -y duda- que se quede recurso en la delegación. 

“Aún no se nos ha dado indicación. Como se comentó, la recaudación hasta el momento ha ido lenta, y pienso que probablemente lo reunido se empleará en mejorar el servicio de SIMAPA y realizar pagos pendientes. Aun así, es difícil determinarlo y la última palabra siempre la tendrá el presidente”, comentó Timoteo durante la reunión.

Lo que se prometió en campaña del entonces candidato y ahora presidente de Chapala, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, fue invertir al menos cinco millones de pesos anuales, provenientes de SIMAPA, los cuales se usarían para la reparación de banquetas, calles, terminar el proyecto de la Unidad Deportiva, y en cuanto a turismo y cultura, implementar una ruta de murales, entre otras actividades.

Pese a que no se ha gestionado esa inversión a Ajijic, ya se iniciaron trabajos en la Unidad Deportiva, así como en la reparación de calles. Por otro lado, en cuanto a turismo, se derivó un festival de carácter gastronómico interestatal.

Trabajadores sacando tule y lirio de la zona del malecón.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Quieren un Ajijic reluciente de limpio. Motivo por el cual, las limpiezas a fondo han continuado por las calles, playas y espacios públicos de la pintoresca delegación. 

Esta semana se trabajó tanto en el campo de fútbol ubicado por la carretera Chapala-Jocotepec, a la altura del Bajío, al poniente de Ajijic, así como en las orillas del Lago, las más cercanas al malecón.

El Encargado de Despacho, Maximiliano “Max” Macías Arceo, comentó que además de darle una mejor imagen a las playas del pueblo, ya que son las zonas que más reciben al turismo, lo hace por los pobladores para que cuenten con un espacio para pasear, hacer deporte, salir los fines de semana, etcétera.

Cancha del Bajío limpia de maleza y demás desechos que tenía sobre ella.

La limpieza abarcó también la parte de la playa, al costado izquierdo del muelle, donde se sacó agua estancada y se terraplenó para que se pueda volver a habilitar ese espacio como estacionamiento. “Eso va a calmar el tráfico y el exceso de carros estacionados en las vialidades principales, mejorando el flujo en fines de semana y días festivos”, justificó el Encargado de Despacho. 

“Me parece bien que limpien toda esa agua estancada que puede propiciar los mosquitos, más en este tiempo, aunque también pienso que deberían secar el agua estancada que se encuentra al costado derecho del muelle, en el canalito, para no crear un criadero de zancudos. En cuanto al espacio extra para estacionamiento, es una buena solución para tener un poquito más de capacidad”, argumentó un hombre que se encontraba en la zona del malecón.

Asimismo, Max aseguró que están iniciando con su plan para reactivar a los jóvenes con deporte, por lo que ya iniciaron con la limpieza de la cancha del Bajío, ubicada a un costado del centro de acopio, donde se encuentra el centro de reciclaje. “Estaba muy abandonada, tenía mucha maleza en el campo, las mallas tiradas en la cancha. Ya iniciamos con la limpieza, pronto seguiremos con el pasto sintético y las cercas de la cancha”.

Alejandro González, el encargado del Consejo Municipal del Deporte (COMUDE) en Ajijic, se encargará de convocar a torneos rápidos, entre otras actividades, tanto en la cancha como en la unidad deportiva, que ya lleva una limpieza más avanzada. 

“Esta situación de restricción de eventos nos ayuda para enfocarnos primero en limpiar, y ya después en entregar espacios óptimos para el deporte”, señaló el encargado del deporte en Ajijic. 

Finalmente, Alejandro González agradece el apoyo de los ajijitecos, ya que siempre le ofrecen apoyo en sus proyectos. “Siempre que se me acercan a ofrecer su ayuda, me animan mucho, y me motivan a seguir y hacer más proyectos para mejorar la delegación. De corazón, agradezco mucho esos gestos”.

Mural of Michi Cihualli, located at the intersection of Morelos and Del Paseo.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – Artist Jesús López Vega will restore one of his several murals, the mural featuring Michi Cihualli (the Goddess of Lake Chapala). The artwork is located at the intersection of Morelos and Del Paseo, where Ajijic Tango restaurant is currently located.López Vega said that the mural is approximately eight years old, and that he is glad that he was asked to maintain it, «I thought it was going to be removed with all the new the works that were recently completed, and although they did whitewash a part over the mural, it can be restored. I had to repaint that part, in addition to the restoration.»This property has murals by other artists, such as José Durán, and Javier Zaragoza, which were also recently renovated. López Vega added that he is pleased with the location of the mural close to the lake. He hopes that both tourists and locals can learn a little more about the legend of Michi Cihualli via his mural. 

López Vega commented that the legend of Michi Cihualli caught his attention after reading a writing on pre-Hispanic mythology by Jesús González Gortazar. With time and research, he found out that an author named Tapia, had documented that in the lake of nearby Cajititlán they had the same goddess of the lake, strongly suggesting that Michi Cihualli spans more than one region, and may be a divinity of the coca culture.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

SIMAPA, Ajijic 2022 collection.

Sofia Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – The Director of Sistema Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (SIMAPA) Ajijic, Timoteo Aldana, hasn’t received instructions for  – and doubts that  – SIMAPA fees collected will remain exclusively for SIMAPA projects, or even solely within Ajijic. 

«We have not yet been given any indication. As commented, the collection so far has been slow. I think that probably what is collected will be used to improve SIMAPA’s service, and make pending payments. Even so, it is difficult to determine; the final decision will come from the president.»

During his campaign, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel promised to invest at least five million pesos annually, coming from SIMAPA’s budget. These funds would be used to repair sidewalks, streets, finish the sports center project, and in tourism and cultural projects (including a new route of murals, and other activities). Although this investment has not been managed by Ajijic, work has already begun on the sports center, as well as on the repair of streets. Additionally, an interstate gastronomic festival was created to boost tourism.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

Santos Degollados High School, with its classrooms occupied by students.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – Although not all students returned to classes, and opinions about their presence are very divided, the principals of three schools shared that the students who returned expressed a great desire to be back in the classroom, given  the loss in learning in class caused b y Covid.

In an interview for Laguna, Raúl Zamora Cárdenas, principal of Santos Degollado High School; Candelaria Castañeda, principal of Marcos Castellanos Elementary School; and Iván Ramos, principal of Francisco Márquez Elementary School, agreed there has been low turnout for the students but that they are  enthusiastic to return to the classroom. 

They commented that instructions for this return to classes were given by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) and the Government of Jalisco, indicating that one hundred percent of the groups would be able to return with full health measures in place, although face to face attendance would not be mandatory.

«At the high school, there are two or three students missing per classroom, who have reported in as sick. Those who do not come to school in person participate through school WhatsApp groups. If someone decides not to come, they can use the RECREA platform to do their schoolwork,» asserted Director Raul, who added that it seems to him that the State Government does not take into account the needs of the schools, as there has been a lack of adequate financing to cover costs.

Principal Iván commented that, in the case of his school only 49 percent in attendance, approximately 101 students, while six percent of the absentees chose to take part in distance education.

Parents exiting Francisco Márquez Elementary School. Students left in small groups to avoid crowding.

«Those who do not attend have close family members who are ill, so, to reduce risks, they themselves decided not to come. They are given the option of distance education, with the understanding that they are the same activities that are done in the classrooms, with small modifications to make it easier for parents and students. We prefer this to RECREA, since all parents find the platform difficult to use,» said Ramos.

Meanwhile, at Marcos Castellanos Elementary School, teacher Mrs. Candelaria reported that of the 210 students in the institution, approximately 150 students are currently attending, and the number continues to rise.

«The first day we had very low attendance, approximately 77 students. On Tuesday attendance increased, reaching groups of up to 30, and the following days the number has continued to increase. The missing students report as sick, but we continue to work at school with the usual health measures.»

Regarding the loss of learning and achievement by the students, all those interviewed confirmed it had occurred. Although the teachers were sympathetic, they commented on the lack of material or resources of some students to follow online classes, the lack of support from the teachers that is given in face-to-face, little space and time for the parents to assist their children, among other reasons. However,  based on the comments from their students, they affirmed that the children are happy to return to classes. «They are very eager to return. They are enthusiastic. At school they like to be in class and with their friends, but yes, they go home, and suddenly they are upset because of their parents’ comments that they are behind in their learning,» added Mrs. Cande.

Principal Raul commented that this form of schooling will prevail for the rest of the school year, and that at the end of the school year the school will be given new instructions for operating. The three teachers thanked the parents for their help in monitoring their children for possible contagion and informed them that they are still working, and as far as possible, they are trying to be risk-free.

Translated by Colleen Beery

The gate of the cemetery creek, which was replaced last Monday, January 17.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – The creekbed located inside the Ajijic cemetery will no longer be used as a garbage dump, as of last Monday, January 17. Personnel from the Delegation took charge of putting the gate back in place. 

According to some testimonies, approximately five years ago the gate was knocked down by a private vehicle and had never been put back in place.

According to Maximiliano Macías Arceo, the Ajijic delegado, the creekbed has been cleaned three times since the administration began, a little over 100 days ago. The neighbors are so used to throwing garbage in that place that the day the gate was put back up (while the delegado and his assistants left to get a chain to secure the gate), garbage had been thrown in the creekbed during their brief absence.

Macías Arceo commented that the creek is used as a dumping ground for different types of waste, ranging from leaf litter and garden waste, to debris and other types of garbage, which causes many complaints because the creek was used as if it were a garbage dump. 

«There were many reports of people littering. An elderly man thanked us for putting back the gate that was just lying there, and we told him that it was mostly because it is not possible for us to clean up so often,” stated the person in charge of the office. 

As for the northern part of the cemetery, at the entrance on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway where the bridge is located, Macías Arceo was asked if the Delegation would take steps to prevent littering there as well. Macías Arceo said that he is aware that, in addition to littering, some people use the site as a restroom. The place gives off a strong odor, so he intends to contact the director of Public Works to find a solution, such as putting up some fences to block access to the part of the creek that crosses the cemetery of Ajijic. 

It is expected that, in the short term, there will also be a restriction in the passage through the creek, since there are people who not only throw garbage away there, but also are using it as a bathroom

Likewise, during the rainy season the gates will be opened to prevent the stream from damaging the gate again. «Although the lower part of the gate has bars to allow the water to pass through, we prefer to open the gates to prevent the gate from falling again,» said Macias Arceo. 

He also clarified that in case it is necessary to bring things into the cemetery through the creek, permission can be given to the Delegation to open the gate. On the other hand, on occasions such as the Day of the Dead, the opening of this access will have a schedule.

Finally, he said that the gates will remain open from early in the morning, so that people can enter to maintain their tombs, in addition to asking for the support of those who attend to keep the space clean.

Translated by Colleen Beery

Portón del arroyo del panteón, el cual fue colocado el pasado lunes 17 de enero.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- El cauce del arroyo que se encuentra ubicado dentro del cementerio de Ajijic dejará de ser utilizado como vertedero de basura, ya que el pasado lunes 17 de enero, personal de la delegación se encargó de colocar el portón de nuevo. 

Y es que, según algunos testimonios, hace cinco años aproximadamente fue derribado por un vehículo particular. 

A decir del Encargado de Despacho de la delegación de Ajijic, Maximiliano Macías Arceo, ya van tres veces que se limpia desde que inició la administración, hace poco más de 100 días de esto. 

Se espera que a corto plazo también haya restricción en el paso por el arroyo, ya que hay personas que no sólo tiran basura, sino que ahí hacen sus necesidades. 

Y es tanta la costumbre de los vecinos de tirar en ese lugar la basura, que el día que se colocó el portón, mientras el Encargado de Despacho y sus ayudantes iban por la cadena para asegurarlo, cuando regresaron ya habían tirado basura nuevamente. 

Macías Arceo comentó que, el arroyo se utiliza como vertedero de distintos tipos de desechos que van desde la hojarasca, desecho de jardín, hasta escombros y otros tipos de basura, lo que provoca que existan muchas quejas porque el arroyo se utiliza como si fuera basurero. 

“Había muchos reportes de gente tirando basura. Un señor mayor nos felicitó por volver a poner el portón que sólo estaba ahí tirado, y le comentamos que más que nada fue porque no nos es posible limpiar tan seguido”, declaró el Encargado de Despacho. 

En cuanto a la parte norte del panteón, en la entrada por la carretera Chapala-Jocotepec donde se encuentra el puente, se le cuestionó si tendrían precauciones para evitar la tira de basura, a lo que Macías Arceo añadió que está al tanto de que hay gente que además de arrojar basura usa el sitio como baño, e incluso el lugar desprende un olor fuerte por el mismo motivo, por lo que piensa contactar al director de Obras Públicas para buscar una solución, por ejemplo, poner unas rejas para bloquear el acceso a la parte del arroyo que atraviesa el cementerio de Ajijic. 

Al igual, durante la temporada de lluvias se abrirán las puertas para evitar que el cauce pueda dañar el portón de nuevo. “Aunque en la parte baja tenga rejas para darle paso al agua, preferimos abrir las puertas para evitar que se venza y se vuelva a caer el portón”, señaló Macías Arceo. 

También, el entrevistado aclaró que en caso de ser necesario meter cosas al panteón por el arroyo, se puede perder permiso a la delegación, para que acudan a abrir el portón. Por otro lado, en ocasiones como Día de Muertos, la apertura de este acceso tendrá horario.

Finalmente, dijo que las puertas se mantendrán abiertas desde temprano, para que la gente pueda entrar a dar mantenimiento a sus tumbas, además de pedir el apoyo de quienes asistan para mantener limpio el espacio.

One of the loudspeakers located in the main square, in front of the kiosk.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- The speakers in the main square of Ajijic are singing again. This Monday, January 17, the two loudspeakers in front of the kiosk were repaired early in the morning, and by midday they were already playing melodies.

The Ajijic Delegado, Maximiliano Macías Arceo, said that the speakers had been in bad condition, with nests of insects inside. He is not sure how long they had been out of order. He said that they have been repaired and cleaned inside and out, which he believes was the first time in several years.  «When we took them down, they were almost stuck together,” he said and then added that the Municipality of Chapala paid for the expense.

As for the programs broadcast, he said that they will mainly be radio stations like Fórmula Melódica, La Buena Onda, Radio Gallito, EXA FM, and others.  «We may use them to broadcast announcements from the delegation or other presentations. We are waiting for instructions from the president on how to use them in the best way.”

The arrangements were well received by the residents who usually pass through or stay in the plaza. «It feels like before, it’s nice to listen to the radio, because sometimes in other locations you can’t get a good signal, here you can, and you can hear it very well. I came to eat my peanuts and sit down for a while to talk about the news,» said Don Nico, who usually goes to the plaza in the mornings.

The tentative schedule will be from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. To date they have received positive comments from the villagers.

Translated by Nita Rudy

Entrance of the procession to the parish of San Andrés Apóstol, where the image of the saint was finally left

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Although San Sebastián was celebrated with a very modest ceremony, the neighbors of the neighborhood did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the saint with a mass in the neighborhood located in the north of Ajijic, sharing hot chocolate and bread, and in the afternoon, with a small procession to return the religious figure, enlivened with a musical group and the traditional masked sayacas.

«The celebration was good. It was a little smaller than other years, but it felt just as nice,» said one of the participants. 

The January 20 mass was celebrated in the neighborhood of San Sebastian, as it is the one day of his feast. 

During the morning, the mass was attended by no more than 50 people and all of them respected at all times the health protocols in force. At the end, chocolate, cinnamon and tachihual bread were distributed to the participants of the Eucharistic ceremony. «It was good, it was small, unlike other years, but it felt just as nice,» said Don Antonio, a close neighbor of the neighborhood.

The neighbors of the neighborhood did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the saint with a mass in the neighborhood located in the north of Ajijic.

Later, during the procession, more people -approximately 70 people- could be seen. The procession began with the sayacas dancing, while behind them was a musical group, and at the end, San Sebastian, carried by four men. 

Throughout the procession there was a group of children looking to be chased and floured by the sayacas. The sayacas danced, while all around them spectators enjoying the festivities and filming the scene. 

«This is what one likes. There have already been so many big celebrations, like the one in Jocotepec. I don’t think there will be a fuss about this. There are only neighbors here and we are all wearing our masks. We had the pleasure of being together and also sharing a beer,» said Don Nico, minutes before the procession began.

During the celebration, a couple of tourists joined the dance of the sayacas that accompanied San Sebastian on his route through some of the streets of Ajijic

Although the route changed a bit –through Zapata, Javier Mina, Guadalupe Victoria, a lap around the plaza, and finally Parroquia street—San Sebastian was accompanied by spectators all the way. In the plaza, a couple of excited tourists joined the procession to dance to the music of the band.

«We didn’t imagine there was going to be a parade, we just came to walk around because there was an opportunity. We didn’t know San Sebastián, much less imagine that here in the Pueblito Mágico he is so beloved,» mentioned a man who was sitting in the plaza.

In the end, only those carrying the image entered the parish of San Andrés Apóstol where the saint was taken, as well as a few companions, while the sayacas remained at the entrance of the parish, and the band played the mañanitas outside the temple. After leaving him, the people returned to the neighborhood of San Sebastian, located to the north of Ajijic. 

Translated by Sydney Metrick