Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

This in this morning from Phyllis Rauch, a long time Jocotepec resident:


I know so many wonderful people (Mexicans and foreigners) have been working hard in many ways to help San Juan. One wise person on your lists recently said that all we are lacking is a "clearing house", a way of figuring out where the greatest needs are and when.


I just want to share with you my recent experience. My Mari's daughter Bette works at the Joco Presidencia and she has been working in SJC. She told me on the weekend that what was most needed in SJC was food (cooked) for the workers and those still unable to feed themselves.


Mari helped me with the shopping list and this is an approximation of what will feed about 100 people for two days (obviously there could be changes or additions:)

8 kilos of rice
20 packages of spaghetti
6 kilos of sugar
17 cans of tuna or chicken
4 liter cartons of tomao puree
3 kilos of sea salt
a number of cartons of milk
large bag of animal crackers (10 kilos)
large bottlel of oil (gallon)
5 kilos of potatoes
5 kilos of chayotes
5 kilos of carrots
1 large cabbage
5 kilos of onions
1 kilo of garlic
4 garrafones of water (to make agua fresca)
one large watermelon or other fruit (about 8 kilos) - could be cantelope, guavas, whatever is in season. (This was just for the first day. need more fruit for second day)
disposable plates 100
disposable bowls 100
disposable glasses 250
disposable large spoons 125
There was only enough dishes for the first day.

I purchased the above at Navarro's market on Morelos in Joco (except for the produce) He's the most reasonable in town. I didn't keep exact notes (unfortunately) but all this cost approx 1300 to 1500 pesos.

I and the women of my barrio cooked and took 1/2 of the above, in the form of rice, salad, warm veggies, agua fresca, to SJC and were directed by the officials where to go (a restaurant called, I think Viva Mexico.

I didn't know what to expect, thought there would probably be tons of food and ours might be superfluous. Also assumed we might be serving from the back of my van. They are very well organized there. Emptied our pots into pots of their own so we could take our own back. And immedidately began distributing the food to different areas in town.

I was told that if we hadn't arrived there would only have been frijoles to eat yesterday. We are cooking the second meal today (Tuesday), (need to buy more veggies and more disposable plates etc.)but what is obviously needed, over a longer period of time, are more volunteers to donate food and to cook.

I can imagine a group of women could be organized in El Chante, e.g.

Of course the Mexican women know how to cook what appeals to the local folks. And probably in Joco too.

Truthfully I can't organize this, but I thought it might be helpful if I sent out this info.
Phyllis Rauch

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Judy King is publisher of  Mexico Insights' Living at Lake Chapala, a monthly online magazine for people interested in Mexico's Lake Chapala region, in the state of Jalisco.

Judy, a 16-year resident of Ajijic on Lake Chapala's north shore, conducts weekly newcomer's seminars, shares her expertise about Mexico in her monthly online magazine, and in the "Mexico Lindo" column for the Lake Chapala Review.

Judy also is a speaker for local organizations and visiting tour groups about the Lakeside area and Mexican customs and holidays.