Community is alive and well at Lake Chapala

by Kristina Morgan

I am just really blown away by the sense of community at Lake Chapala...and I have been amazed by the cohesiveness here time and again over the years we have been here since 1995.

The Lake Chapala animal shelter had 24 hours to find homes for 15 dogs and we did it. Between phone and email everyone in town knew what was going on and helped by either adopting or signing the petition or passing on the information. Many people received the same email 4-7 times! People in San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta were even on the horn offering their help.

The dog shelter's crisis passed and they will be staying open after all. We can consider the dogs being adopted for free a 24 hour blue-light special. They gave the dogs away and they were all spayed or neutered, had their shots and even came with collars, leashes and food! And their dishes. We have welcomed Hope into our family as a result of this community effort. :)

Another example of community is this. There is a dentist here and he has been diagnosed with cancer. Within a week this community pulled together a fund raiser to help him off-set expenses for his treatment. And they'll probably do it again.

People here pull together to help whatever situation is thrown their way. It's as if we like a challenge or making our time count.

I have heard so many people say that one of the things they miss most is a sense of community north of the border. As an American, I sympathize. I see the errosion of good, old-fashioned community there, though it seems to be hanging on a bit in the southern states. I am not going to go into all the reasons, etc that I think community has been so diminished. I think most people can reflect and figure it out as the culture and priorities have shifted.

Conversely, the Lake Chapala community seems to be growing in strength. I think this is for two reasons. First, the Mexicans' values and belief system support this way of living. They pull together. They support each others businesses, they have a strong family foundation. Mexico has survived for centuries by having a strong sense of community.

And secondly, it's because the people who come here from somewhere else are a different kind of person. You have to be open to change, somewhat adventurous, and have a sense of humor to make a move like this to a foreign country. So in essence, I think expat communities, or at least Lake Chapala in particular, draw the best people there are from somewhere else. Who wouldn't want to be friends with someone who is open, adventurous and has a sense of humor? So what if 90% of the people who migrated to an area were like that? Wouldn't you want to be here, too?!

That's what we have here. Yes, sometimes it feels a little "small-town" as people generally do know your business. On the other hand, if you ever really needed help the community here would pull together. They move mountains in a very short amount of time and the grapevine works really well! Never underestimate the power of people at Lake Chapala!