January 14, 2019 - to San Miguel de Allende




We’re on our way this morning to San Miguel de Allende, a city popular with artists and ex-pats, as evidenced by both the plethora of art galleries and ethnic restaurants!  Our plan was to stop at a new set of ruins that have only been open to the public since 2011, but unlike every other archaeological site in Mexico, this one is closed on Mondays!!  Juan is disappointed because he hasn’t had a chance to see this one yet!




Along the drive Juan tells us the history of San Miguel de Allende.  It was actually a planned city, rather than just growing as necessity dictated.  The original name was San Miguel Grande.  Then Allende became a freedom fighter, working with Hidalgo.  When Allende went to the USA to buy arms he was caught and beheaded.  Hidalgo and two other fighters were also beheaded and their heads were displayed at the four corners of the granary to discourage the rebels.  It didn’t work.  1826 his name was added to the name of the town.  It was declared an historic city and this began the interest of the Americans.

When we get into town, Adan drops us off and Juan takes us on a walking tour so many beautiful things to see!  Juan takes us to the National Museum of Bellas Artes and wet see the unfinished mural of one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Siqueiros.  There are lots of other, smaller murals all around the open courtyard.

Yet another gas line
















We continue walking through town until we find a charming restaurant for lunch, Patio Relox.  It is in an open patio with tiny little shops all around it.  Marilyn and I split a ham and cheese baguette, having learned how large those things can be!  This one isn’t so embarrassingly
Gigantic;  but it’s exactly enough and it even comes with French fries.




Adan is so talented!  I don’t know how he manages to maneuver our big van!  He got all our suitcases loaded up and now that we’re at our new (and last :( hotel) he has to content with the world’s narrowest streets.  We are staying in what must have been a private residence and the rooms are filled with Mexican charm! It’s called Posada de Luna.  There is a small parking area, but the entrance isn’t tall enough for the van, so Adan has stash it somewhere else.






















When we’ve all gotten our luggage settled in our rooms we meet downstairs and compare our beautiful rooms.  After a short rest, some of us wander out fo explore the artisans’ market that is nearly right next door!  Every kind of goodie is available - cookware, jewelry, clothing, kitschy souvenirs, food, you name it!  I finally succumb to a piece of the blue and white ceramics;  the next time Ole asks me for my gravy boat, I’ll have one!!






















The most iconic sight in the city is the Cathedral de San Miguel de Allende.  It almost looks like Cinderella’s castle and is pink!!  In the evening we set out for dinner at Los Milagros.  It’s an invigorating walk and so worth it when we arrive!  This will be Juan’s last dinner with us, which is really very sad!!  He has to head home tomorrow morning so as to pick up a group of Germans the next day.  I order beef shish-kabob with salad and vegetables.  Holy guacamole!  You could feed a third world country from this plate!!  I couldn’t finish this when I was twenty, much less now!!  There is even shrimp  along with the beef and onions and three colors of peppers!  I don’t think I’ve ever had tastier beef!! And I have my last bottle of cerveza, Bohemia!  After dinner we all give Juan and Adan their envelopes and that makes Juan’s departure so much more real!  Happily we’ll have Adan with us right up to the airport!








Home to our purple bedroom and off to sleep.

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