The Walmart has opened in Jocotepec. I think that it opened in October of 07 but it was after I was last there so I haven't seen it. I'm not sure how I feel about it; I don't really understand the local commerce well enough to comment but I do admit to mixed feelings.

I am a small business owner and I know what it is like to compete with "big business" and yet if a Walmart offers employment to the local area I must be enthusiastic. It will inevitably change the overall "flavor" of a small community I just hope that in the long term some of the small shops and family businesses will continue to thrive.

In any case I am looking forward to my move into the area and I think that you are right about people looking seriously at that end of the lake to escape some of the more expensive areas in the region and I really hope that you are right about my learning the language via concentrated exposure! Jen