Mexico SM Week 12

San Miguel Conclusion

As we go into the home stretch of yet another winter getaway we can only say "Retirement is such a marvellous position to be in, particularly when coupled with terrific travel destinations. Yes!, travelling is such a rewarding experience and we sincerely hope that this will continue being a perpetual pilgrimage full of new experiences, challenges and opportunities for growth and development in the many years ahead. Now in our fifth year as official travelling retiree's, we understand better than ever that it's a journey without signposts, and like life itself, we're keeping it awesome. Often times to the untrained eye we might appear to be just a pair of tightrope walkers working without a net. Now doesn't that make you think of Barnum & Bailey's Circus and all of the fun in that? How about...it's our monkey, it's our circus. :-)

And on the topic of childhood experiences, San Miguel has been referred to as an adult Disneyworld. We didn't quite get that at first, but, watching performances of actors, musicians, dancers, listening to Playreaders, lectures, going out any afternoon or evening to watch movies, taste foods for almost any country and rides in buses down steep hills with break sqealing and never knowing if it would or could actually stop!! Just as thrilling as Space Mountain!!

On Friday evening we walked to the Jardin in Centro and witnessed the celebration of 3 separate weddings. After the service, the happy couple and guests are greeting outside of the church by dancing puppet bride and groom, a donkey carrying celebratory beverages, and a mariachi band to lead the party to their destination for dinner and dancing. We had heard about this tradition and are extremely pleased we captured the event.

Celebrating Spring Eqinox at the Botanical Garden. An annual event, one not to be missed.

5 more sleeps and then we'll be on our way home. San Miguel is highly recommended as we often found ourselves picking and choosing from numerous daily events. The weather is consistently warm and sunny and the Mexican residents are some of the happiest and welcoming people we have ever met. So many expats are here for the same reasons so everyone feels connected and free to give great suggestions on where to go for eats, treats and fun. 

   San Miguel de Allende--we love you!

     

            Written by and Editted by Guillermo & Susan            Pics by both and other strangers       

Mexico SM Week 11 correction

FAKE NEWS

My latest post contained incorrect reporting identifying Sarah as an "in-law" As you all know, my life is blessed with 3 of the bestest step-children one could ask for, Sarah😘, Kurtis😘 and Gillian😘.

The thoughts of the Thai massage obviously relaxed more than my muscles.

Mexico, SM Week 11

Where did the week go? We didn't do a lot of exploring, but I had a mani-pedi (didn't bring my own polish so toes are bare = not beach ready for sure!)  Later in the week I had a Thai massage. My daughter-in-law and I had made an appointment in Burlington in April 10 years ago and we had to cancel due to a major snow storm. It's taken that long for me to make another appointment and Sarah, you were right. It was soooo good that I've another appointment scheduled for Thursday. If you've never had a Thai massage, it is a lot of stretching, with masseuse using hands, arms, feet and legs while you lay relaxed on a mattress on the floor, fully clothed and you are massaged from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. The result is like doing an hour yoga class of stretches but you don't have do any work.

There wasn't anything unusual this week, so we'll blog about a normal day in San Miguel.

The day begins with fresh from the oven orange  glazed donuts and scones! 

Oh oh! Someone is sneaking a taste of the cranberry scone before the coffee is served. Yes, I see you!

A walk down Refugio Street.

We pass a factory that makes corn tortillas all day that are then packaged and delivered to the street food vendors and small, local variety stores. 

A picture in our garden with Marcilla who works hard keeping the yard and casitas clean. 

The young Nino carries fresh mangos into the fruit market where we buy veggies, fruit, eggs and fresh bread.

Then off to the library to purchase tickets for a movie.

Stephen sells PlayhouseTheatre tickets to us every week. He and his son, Noah, have a gallery in centro to exhibit their art work. He saves Section A, seats 1 and 2 for us, our favourite viewing chairs for live shows.

Another spot for music and movie tickets.

Lining up for ice cream. Flavours are exotic and delicious. They include garlic, avocado, rose petal, corn, hibiscus flower, chili, cheese, jalapeño and my fave...tequila with lime. Dos scoops por favor!

Streets are crowded, it is a another holiday!

It's the first day of Spring. And why not celebrate, days are getting longer and warmer. Just like being at home.......I hope!?

If you want to build a road, and a tree is in the way, why heck. Let the cars drive around it. After all, the tree was there first! This is on our street, Refugio, as we walk to town. Always makes me smile...as does the handsome hombre supporting the trunk.

Bill purchased these amazing lilies from a lady who knocked on our gate door last Friday. Everyday another 1 or 2 buds come into bloom boasting the most beautiful colours. 

HAPPY SPRING everyone.

Written by Sweet Sue            Edited by Guillermo         Pics by Both 

Mexico, SM Week 10

Alive and well living in San Miguel!  Yes that's us here in the real Mexico that surrounds us day and night. 

Hey Poncho! Hey Cisco! For those of you old enough to remember watching the Cisco Kid on TV. Hey Poncho come save the day and run off some of those barking dogs, and quiet down those ringing church bells and while you're at it get those crowing roosters and cooing doves to quiet down just a bit:-)

MARKET DAY

We love it and we love the town where truly so many of the best things in life are free. Some say the Beatles took inspiration from San Miguel ...you know "The Best Things In Life are Free Now Give Me Money" our sentiments exactly

Mexico is so much more than seeing people dance around wearing indigenous outfits at various weekend festivals. 

It's a fair statement to say that we've done our best to convey to all that San Miguel is one great place to live particularly in ones retirement years. - don't ever forget this as the day of your retirement is arriving faster than you know. All you have to do is open your eyes to that which surrounds you and get involved.

SHOPPING FOR BARGAINS,

This isn't a place for people who can't handle surprises or last minute cancellations or who for whatever reason have lost their knack at sign language or various forms of improvisation.:-) 

One thing that is surprising to us is that Mexicans are far more patient than we are. Patience, I think, is the lubricant that makes any imperfect interactions and differences between other cultures and theirs so very manageable. 

HMV ... In Mexico

Wonderful news ... our very kind and thoughtful landlady has just offered to extend an additional two (2) weeks in our Casa free of charge in order we don't miss out on a most singular event. 

It's all about the first weeks of April leading to Holy Week and Easter here in Mexico. This naturally is a very important time for Religious celebrations with students having a two week vacation (effectively their spring break) all celebrating in different ways. We understand there are processions reenacting Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, foot-washing ceremonies and dramatic recreations of the crucifixion of Christ. Participants all dress in costume to evoke the time of Christ while woven palms are sold outside churches. 

This is in fact the second most important holiday season of the year here and as such, a great opportunity  to get involved. Just for the record, our return date will not change. We miss our family, friends, the horticultural society and most of all the tax man who takes priority over almost everything.

Written by Guillermo.  Edited by Sweet Sue

Mexico, SM Week 9

The good news is that Bill and I are back to a 100% energy level, kicking the cold and sniffles. So we played catchup and joined friends for dinners, lunches, back to Spanish classes, shows and lectures.

We joined in discussions with Jorge Ramos, known as the reporter who Donald Trump had expelled out of a press conference in August 2016, who gave a lecture on "Mexico in the Era of Trump". Ramos predicted that 30% of the US population will be of Hispanic origin before too long. My Spanish may come in handy after all!

The following evening we continued on our literary journey, enjoying a couple of dramatic monologues from Alan Bennet's series, "Talking Heads". Both were humourous and entertaining. As they say here, attend these events with low expectations.... so far we walk away happy and impressed.

Writing a best seller is exhausting.

The Playhouse Theater gave us the comedy rock musical, Little Shop of Horrors. This production was more of the caliber of a high school production, but a lot of fun non the less.

Art Walking Tour

The colonial area where we are staying is called San Antonio and each year they have a weekend where artists, sculptors, fashion and jewellery designers in the neighbourhood open up their studios and homes for a walking tour. Each offers snacks and beverages, water, tequila (note large bottle of Kirkland's finest) sangria and beer. There were 45 studios on the tour this year and we were fortunate to hit all but 4. On our walk we found a couple of new restaurants to try and saw some gorgeous gardens and views of the city and surrounding area.

Sure I had a drink, but I didn't put that umbrella on my head!

Our last and final event of the week was accomplished by a Canadian actor in the stage production written in first person of "Diary of a Madman". Alan Jordan was on stage for 90 minutes, none stop reciting and it was humourous, emotional and simply amazing. All the live entertainment is so inexpensive that we feel very fortunate to take part in this caliber of entertainment.

Susan and George have returned to New York this week but not before we celebrated with them and  MaryLou and Ben, by consuming "grande" margaritas and tacos!

 Mike and Linda have gone back to Maine, and Phyllis and Lee left for Philidelphia. Guess we need to find some new buddies to explore with! Linda was very proud of the rug she crocheted while here.

On Sunday we walked to the bus station to pick up a schedule so we could plan a couple of day trips to different towns close to SanMiguel. A bus was leaving in 5 minutes for a town on our "to do list" so we bought a ticket, hopped on the bus and had a great afternoon exploring. Fortunately for us, this was not the bus we took.

We did have an opportunity to look at several additional home properties....prices go lower in March as most gringos leave end of February. 

Over and out for another week.

 Big hugs from Author Susanna and Editor and Photographer Guillermo