Diario de San Miguel - 2013 Enero
Looking from one terrace to another at Casa Casey
Getting to San Miguel de Allende didn't used to be so complicated. My first trip here, circa '75, was made by train which dropped you off over a hill in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. But if you followed the Mexicans off the train with their chickens and bags of clothes as they waddled over the big hill, you were rewarded then with a majestic valley of old churches and magnificent colonial architecture. Back then only a few gringos, pretty much all of whom were studhing at the Instituto Allende which is still known for its art and artists.
Today the train is long retired and you are left with border guards and TSA agents on both sides of the border who are certain you are a villain and thus treat you like one. I don't know why but I am ALWAYS singled out to have my bags rifled through piece by piece. What is this? Vitamins? What kind? Where did you buy them? What are they for?") Despite all this, fLying into Mexico is easier ONLY because the wait at the border to get a travel visa is ridiculously long and could add 5-6 hours (or more) to what should be no more than a 14 hour drive from Austin. The airlines give you the visa on board the plane, and for this they get to charge you a small fortune for delivering you into a country that you SHOULD be able to traverse freely as our ancestors not all that long ago.
Today the train is long retired and you are left with border guards and TSA agents on both sides of the border who are certain you are a villain and thus treat you like one. I don't know why but I am ALWAYS singled out to have my bags rifled through piece by piece. What is this? Vitamins? What kind? Where did you buy them? What are they for?") Despite all this, fLying into Mexico is easier ONLY because the wait at the border to get a travel visa is ridiculously long and could add 5-6 hours (or more) to what should be no more than a 14 hour drive from Austin. The airlines give you the visa on board the plane, and for this they get to charge you a small fortune for delivering you into a country that you SHOULD be able to traverse freely as our ancestors not all that long ago.
La Gruta - January 8
I think La Gruta is my favorite place in the whole world. Hot springs like no other. Nick and I picked a cloudy day to go, which wasn't the best idea we ever had, but the warm waters were still absolutely lovely.
Gruta means "cave" and this hot springs is built around an enclosed cave that you must enter via a thermal-water tunnel. Several other pools dot the property, though they're closed in winter. Luckily (and probably because of the cloudy day), the place was not crowded, but we did manage to meet a lovely young woman named Patricia who invited us to visit her in Queretaro. Hope we can make it over there.
Gruta means "cave" and this hot springs is built around an enclosed cave that you must enter via a thermal-water tunnel. Several other pools dot the property, though they're closed in winter. Luckily (and probably because of the cloudy day), the place was not crowded, but we did manage to meet a lovely young woman named Patricia who invited us to visit her in Queretaro. Hope we can make it over there.
January 9
The time is flying by here in beautiful San Miguel. We've been blessed with great weather which is a good thing because this house can get very cold (I imagine it's perfect in summer, however, as its facing is to the north.).
Senor Don, our friend and dueno, has an incredible movie collection. I'm going to keep a running list here on this post of the movies we watched so far:
1) Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2) The Mexican
3) Inception
The time is flying by here in beautiful San Miguel. We've been blessed with great weather which is a good thing because this house can get very cold (I imagine it's perfect in summer, however, as its facing is to the north.).
Senor Don, our friend and dueno, has an incredible movie collection. I'm going to keep a running list here on this post of the movies we watched so far:
1) Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2) The Mexican
3) Inception