Wednesday, July 18, 2012

South of the Border

Decision made....

Vamonos !

Bells peel-
                     clang-  
                                       ring-
                                                                ding and dong

every 15 minutes

24/7
in 
San Miguel de Allende

This quaint colonial town 
now a UNESCO site
200 miles north west of Mexico City
dates back to the 16th century and Spanish
colonialism

FIVE STAR - Third World
The old world meets the new 
Optical fiber cable is laid beneath cobbled streets 

Every level of hotel accommodation is available
 from the very edgy modern
Hotel Matilda hidden behind an 18th century facade
to the all new Rosewood 

...but if you are especially lucky 
to have friends with a home in San Miguel

you might score a room where even 
the bathroom has a spectacular view

If you are not so blessed 
then you can still become a temporary local .
 Find the perfect
holiday rental through 
 Firecracker transplant from Birmingham, Alabama
gone native
Her rentals are fully staffed so you can opt 
 have your meals cooked for you or
 try your hand with the local ingredients

There are many really good restaurants using only fresh
ingredients and innovative recipes

DO NOT EXPECT A US BURRITO

For authentic Mexican food eat at the stands in the markets
Try the Carnitas (confit of pork)


The town is pristinely clean  

charm - charm- charm 

Petrol
Pharmacia


 Architectural eye candy
 
and history
...everywhere you look
House of the Inquisitor
The Spanish Inquisition found it's way to New Spain and
the church official in charge in San Miguel lived in this house until
the inquisition was abolished with the liberation of Mexico in 1820

Could  it be the house carries bad juju 
making it a difficult sale
despite it's glorious architecture ?

BTW
The modern world's leading authority on the Spanish Inquisition
died recently at the age of 102

BEN ZION NETANYAHU
1910-2012
Father of Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu
and  
Yonathan Netanyahu
the leader of the succesful raid on Entebbe, 1976

YONI
1946-1976
FOLLOW ME
The recently made documentary film
about Yoni's extraordinary accomplishments , is
a well deserved tribute to a modern day hero 

San Miguel had it's own hero
IGNACIO JOSE  ALLENDE
1769-1811
Inspired by the Revolutions in France and in the United States
Allende was a leading figure in organizing the uprisings that led to
Mexican independence

His home built in the first half of the 18th century
on the main square of San Miguel
is now a museum

San Miguel locals 
( many of them Gringos - US expats living the good life)
are all friendly and welcoming

The native residents are as colorful as they are friendly



Street scenes are so charming they border on cliche 
but it's all real

Life is lived in real time unrushed-unharried 
yet completely integrated with 21st century conveniences

Leave Manolo at home  

Get some rubber soled footwear
for navigating the cobbled streets



GOLD SANDAL-PRADA
Never sacrifice fashion completely
This great little number will dress up any outfit
and will handle those cobbles nicely

With the right walking footwear hit the steets

Shop with the locals like the locals
...and spice up your life

The visual overload is fantastic !

The Butcher
The finest meats are available

The Baker
Interior designer, Jeffry Weisman, 
now a San Miguel local,
 shops daily for fresh baked breads and pastries

Pick up a hat like Jeffry's and you can blend right in

The Candle maker
Fine hand-made beeswax candles
I shipped home a huge carton of assorted sizes and 
I am crossing fingers and toes they don't arrive melted
:)


The Green Grocer
and every other color you can imagine

The  Cheese Maker
CRISTINA GEREZ
 Artisan Cheesemaker
El Capricho

Cristina is self taught  (over the internet)
on everything goat 
EL CAPRICHO
Goat Cheese
Some of the very finest you will ever taste
" TRY IT-You'll like it "

The local daily market

Squash blossoms at the Organic Farmers' Market 
Breakfast at 
The Farmers'Market


Handicrafts at the MERCADO ARTESENIAS
Elaborately hand embroidered textiles in sizes ranging from
toss pillows to bed covers are a terrific buy

Embroidered Mexican cloths add a bright dash of color on this pool terrace
DESIGN-FISHER-WEISMAN

 Metal work of all kinds is a BARGAIN worth shipping home

San Miguel is in the silver mining state of Guanajato. 
Mexico still provides 25% of the silver used in
 high tech manufacturing around the world 
Silver jewlery can be irresistable 
Be prepared to dig through a lot of stuff to find classic pieces 
like simple beads and heavy ropes with toggle closures
"You must kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince"

Artist and Interior Designer,
Andrew Fisher  has struck gold living in San Miguel.
His inspirations are prolific

Hundreds of gold leafed paper squares 
are handstitched into his glorious creations
ranging from small jewels to majestic treasures


A week in San Miguel is barely enough - 
there is so much to see and do in town- 

but there is also much to see in surrounding towns and villages
like this  Baroque 17th century church
 just outside San Miguel
You could have a local stone carver 
carve you a sink just like this antique font

Charming frescoes combine christian symbols 
with those of the native indians cleverly interwoven



San Miguel has been unjustifiably hit by Mexico's recent bad press 
of "narco terrorism"
that has plagued the northern areas and the Pacific coast.

We felt completely safe  and always welcomed

Mi Casa Su Casa
Bien Venidos
Rela










2 comments:

Tom Biss said...

I'm ready to go back! Great review Rela, I think you nailed it.

Tom Biss said...

I'm ready to go back! Great review Rela, I think you nailed it.