Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

If there's a single personality trait that marks folks who don't adapt well to living at Lakeside, it's probably the latent (or sometimes overt) need to change and control. It's an interesting phenomenon. People move here because they are enchanted with the old world charm of the area. By the time they're moved in, they are trying to implement committees, studies, groups, and programs to change almost everything?and promising that it will all be approved, inspected according to OSHA standards.

One early warning sign is a constant refrain outlining the problems of the area in sentences beginning with "Why don't they?" "Why don't they clean up the trash?" "Why don't they mow the roadsides?" "Why don't they do something about the dogs?" "Why don't they do something about the noise?" Why don't they learn English?"

I sometimes think these folks would be thrilled if the north shore villages of Lake Chapala were completely torn down and rebuilt to look like those "nearly genuine, old-style" resort areas North of the Border. Using Disneyland and Dollyworld as guidelines, the Lakeside villages could become bougainvillea-draped old-mission-style towns. Adobe-like building facades would hide a series of malls, senior centers, and discount chain stores.

Imagine?the villages of Lake Chapala would look like romantic old Mexico on the outside, but behind the façade could be bland, gringolandia, complete with granite countertops, sound-insulated Navajo white walls, garbage disposals, central heat and air conditioning and trash compactors.

If the litany of foreigner discontent was distilled into a list of the Top Ten Newcomer Complaints, the top choice complaint for changing Lakeside to suit visitors and newcomers would certainly be:

"Why don't they pave these cobblestone streets?"

The popularity of cobblestone streets didn't even have anything to do with last year's newspaper article that had Lakeside forums buzzing with jubilant posts announcing "A positive look at cobblestones." My inbox was filled with emailed copies of the Associated Press article which related the results of an Oregon Research Institute study suggesting that walking on cobblestones lowers blood pressure.

The study, inspired by the health enjoyed by elderly persons who walked every day on China's ancient stone paths, monitored subjects (all over 60) as they walked 30 minutes a day on rounded river rocks. In just four months, they showed measurable improvements in balance and mobility, and significantly lower blood pressure. While the study was interesting, I was far more fascinated that folks on the forums thought this new-to-them health benefit was the only positive aspect of Lakeside's cobblestone streets.

Here's my top ten list of the positive aspects of cobblestone streets:
10. There is an unending supply of cobblestones--this area was formed by ancient volcanos and the earth is full of perfect cobblestones.

9. Cobblestone paving is inexpensive, no specialized equipment is required for installation--a man and a small hammer and a couple of stakes with a string will do.

8. When a street needs repair, the stones are removed, stacked on the sidewalk, then the same stones are replaced in the street.

7. Cobblestones slow rushing water during heavy rains. Water soaks in between the rocks.

6. No petroleum products are used in the process of putting down the stones. The earth is not tainted by the disposal of dumping used asphalt.

5. Cobblestones slow traffic, reducing the number and severity of accidents.

4. Stone covered streets don't break up or develop potholes from heavy rain like
asphalt.

3. Cobblestones are not slick when wet.

2. Cobblestone streets keep property taxes low.

And the tie for the number one best reason to leave cobblestone streets in place at Lakeside:

1. They work.

1. It's not about us.

Live is good at Lake Chapala where we walk every day on cobblestones.