Monthly Archives: September 2013
They Have a Plan
There are always hundreds of street dogs in San Miguel quietly and politely making their way around town obviously with an important plan in mind. During parades, as here with the blessing of the horses as part of the Festival … Continue reading
All Night Long
We are so used to fireworks in San Miguel that we can usually sleep through them, but at the Feast of San Miguel at the end of September each year they go on all night, climaxing in this show at … Continue reading
Voladores
For the Festival of Saint Michael the Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) is now an integral part of the festivities. Here a Volador, swinging on a slowly unwinding rope from the top of a twenty meter pole, … Continue reading
Guns and Roses
Well, not roses, but small colorful dolls. Today, the Governor of the State of Guanajuato is in town, his presence being evident from the hoards of M-16 toting police and army stationed all around as he attends the Mayor’s speech … Continue reading
Viva Mexico
At this time of the year, almost on a daily basis, we hear the drums of one parade or another at the end of our street. In this instance, we dashed out to meet the Independence Day parade on Mesones … Continue reading
Gorditas and Fried Bolios
This weekend is the celebration of Mexican independence and the reading of the Cry of Dolores, or El Grito, in the Jardin. The town is packed with Mexicans coming here to the heart of Independence to celebrate, and our neighbors … Continue reading
Guarderia Ordinaria 001
With my minimal Spanish, I assumed that the sign outside this building, Guarderia Ordinaria 001, meant it was a military establishment, but in fact it turns out that it is a day care center. Part of Mexico’s Social Security system, … Continue reading
The Birdman of the Tianguis
You can buy anything at the Tianguis in San Miguel, from underwear, to parts for gas stoves, used tools, fish, fruit, furniture, video games, and in this instance caged birds which the birdman carries around tied to his back. This … Continue reading
The New Bellas Artes
Two mojigangas flank the entrance to the courtyard of the newly-renovated Bellas Artes building in San Miguel de Allende. Housed in an earlier and magnificent two-tiered historical courtyard building, the Escuela de Bellas Artes as such was opened in 1938, and … Continue reading
If Each Before Their Own Door Swept…
If each before their own door swept, the village would be clean. I often heard this as child in England, and although I doubt if anyone actually does that there anymore, it is an obsession with most Mexicans. Every morning … Continue reading