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    Mexican Culture & Living

The Day I Met Ismael

Last Updated Oct 28, 2021 Mexican Culture & Living

We meet in the street. He’s shaking uncontrollably and, since I’ve only been in Mexico for three months, I can’t understand anything he’s saying. It’s clear that Ismael Sanchez has a form of motor neuron disease, and that’s why he’s having trouble controlling his movements and making coherent speech. But this doesn’t stop him from digging up the English he learned thirty years ago in the United States.

Within five minutes he’s suggested we head to his home to take photos. Of what, I’m not certain. But he’s very excited to have invited me over to his house, I’ve gathered. Where that is, exactly, I still don’t know. As we get closer, he mentions something about his brother and, still not understanding what’s going on and always on the wary, I put my camera away, just in case things go bad, in this country where everything is still new and there’s still a surprise behind every corner.

I follow him through the entrance of his house. No sign of anyone else there, he begins to give me a tour of the medicinal plants in his backyard before taking me around his home.

Ismael Sánchez
Ismael Sánchez kisses the brim of his hat while saying a prayer after getting home, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.
Ismael Sánchez holds a molcajete in his kitchen in Ajijic, Jalisco
Ismael Sánchez
Ismael Sánchez
Ismael Sánchez
Ismael Sánchez
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Two children are dressed as catrines on the Day of Two children are dressed as catrines on the Day of the Dead in the cemetery in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.
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Dos niños vestidos como catrines en el Día de Muertos en el panteón de Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.  #ajijic #jalisco #mexico #dayofthedead #diademuertos #diadelosmuertos #catrinas #catrines #catrina #catrin #cemetery #panteon #graveyard #mextagram #mexico_maravilloso #mexigers #ig_mexico #vive_mexico #igersmexico #loves_mexico #wu_mexico #pasionxmexico #mexicolors #traveltheworld #igtravel #culture #travel #mexicodesconocido #méxicolindo #mexicoandando
Victor Rochin launches a rocket during the process Victor Rochin launches a rocket during the procession for Saint Andrew in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.
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Victor Rochin lanza un cohete durante la procesión de San Andrés en Ajijic, Jalisco, México.
Hice una página web / guía turística virtual pa Hice una página web / guía turística virtual para Ajijic, México, el pueblo en lo que he vivido los últimos 8 años. Restaurantes, tiendas, artistas, artesanos, hoteles, qué hacer, fiestas y festivales. Además de ser fotógrafo, también soy diseñador de web! Que la encuentres útil si alguna vez estás en la área. Visita https://lakesideguide.mx o checa el bio link de hoy.
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I made a website/virtual tourist guide to Ajijic, Mexico, the town where I've been living for the past 8 years. Restaurants, shops, artists, artisans, hotels, what to do, fiestas & festivals. Apart from being a photographer, I'm also a web designer! If you're ever in the area, I hope you find it useful. Visit https://lakesideguide.mx or check today's bio link.  #mexico #ajijic #chapala #jalisco #guadalajara #lagodechapala #lakesideguide
Un joven charro en el Día del Charro en Ajijic, J Un joven charro en el Día del Charro en Ajijic, Jalisco, México. Los charros tienen su propio día de fiesta en México. Visita bit.ly/mexicowboys para ver más fotos de charros o haz clic en el bio link de hoy.
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A young cowboy on the Day of the Cowboy in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Cowboys have their own national holiday in Mexico. Visit bit.ly/mexicowboys to see more photos of charros or click on today's bio link.
Un "castillo" de fuegos artificiales durante las f Un "castillo" de fuegos artificiales durante las fiestas patronales de San Andrés en Ajijic, Jalisco, México. Los castillos pueden alcanzar 15-20 metros o a veces más.  Para más fotos de castillos pirotécnicos visita bit.ly/fireworkscastillos.  A pyrotechnics worker keeps close watch on a fireworks "castle" during the fiestas patronales for St. Andrew in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. These structures reach 50 feet or sometimes more. For more photos of Mexican fireworks castles visit bit.ly/fireworkscastillos

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