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 

Katharine Hibberts-

 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