Don reassembles office pieces wrapped in plastic
Everyone was up early for Mike and Val’s departure for Italy. Once they were out the door, Don and I took a collective deep breath, then he went to work on my “virtual office.” After stringing a few miles of cords and a maze of routers, EUREKA!! We had contact! Now it was time to enjoy the remainder of my day off by exploring and reconnecting with the city we have both come to call our “ second home.”
UNESCO World Heritage Church
It is difficult to describe the ambiance of San Miguel de Allende. It is like a little microcosm of happy locals and expats living a life dedicated to artistry and culture. UNESCO World Heritage has protected the entire town as one of the greatest examples of 18th century Mexican Baroque. Following WWII, many of the GI’s came to San Miguel to study art on the GI bill, which became the foundation for the large expat community, as well as the focus on art and cultural events. Every day, there is some type of concert, poetry reading, or class taking place.
On our first “walkabout,” we went in search of the local newspaper, “Atencion!” and wandered through the square to check out what was new. It was comforting to see all the old favorites still there. The preservationists have done a really great job in concealing progress and preserving the ambiance of the city. There is a new Starbucks on the main square, but you really have to look to see the signage.
El Correro, near the Post Office
El Correro, a long-established restaurant across from the Post Office, translated into what I believed to be “The Letter,” however I wasn’t sure so I decided to Google it. I guess it is a sign of the times when the translator comes back with “The e-mail” instead! Regardless, it happens to be one of Don’s favorites because of their special side dish of fire roasted chipotle peppers. This was my first time visiting this restaurant, and I can see why it has long been a family favorite. Cute, quaint, and eyes-roll-back-in-the-head good food! We both had the Enchiladas Suisas, which tasted even better accompanied by the smoke flavor from the chipotles.
Enchiladas Suisas "before"....
.......and "After"
With no luck finding the local newspaper on the street, we made our way over to La Biblioteca, a well stocked library arranged in a fabulous old Spanish courtyard. This quaint library also contains a café, a theatre, and a large English section with travel guides, biographies, best sellers, and even a DVD rental. As I wandered the aisles enjoying one of my favorite smells, that of old books, I heard faint piano music wafting through the windows so I followed the sound, and came upon a young man wearing a fedora, practicing for his upcoming concert. I sat at a table covered in books filled with the art of Mexico while listening to him play, surrounded by beautiful books and murals on the walls. It was one of those serendipitous moments that seems to happen often in San Miguel.
Flowers in the local market
If you want to "eat from the earth," this is the place!
After a tour through the local market, it was time for happy hour, so I joined “Donaldo” (as Valarie calls him) on the rooftop. Mike and Val just finished a gorgeous seating area up on the roof where you can now lounge on cushions while watching the sun go down and the lights come up over San Miguel, so it was the perfect place to enjoy some of our “smuggled contraband” of red wine and French Papillion cheese with sourdough bread, along with some fresh artichokes that Michael had steamed for us before he left.
Don enjoys a little "imported" vino on the rooftop
It’s good to be alive in what feels like the Sultan’s Palace of San Miguel!
San Miguel Skyline from Rooftop
[