The Weather Gods

Well, those gods definitely wanted all of us to get the message that they are in charge. Virtually the entire East Coast of the USA is shut down. Closed. Not moving.
Airports that are closed are LaGuardia, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Reagan And Dulles.
All until 11AM on Thursday. WOW, I'm definitely not going anywhere, along with a whole lot of other people.

I am rescheduled, for Sunday. Hopefully by then things will have settled down. The roads will be reopened and the US government will be ready to restart all their silliness.

In the meantime, I'm here in San Miguel noticing all the new license plates around.
Places like Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New York State, Delaware, etc. etc. etc. Yup, when the weather gets bad, they head this way. Good for the coffers of Mexico.

I too will enjoy the sunshine and the warmth. It didn't get below 49 last night. That is way higher then the highs in cities north of the Mason Dixon Line. In fact, since I have a few days more here, I think I'll go back to the Candelaria show and enjoy all the flowers again.

See you there?

Heading to Frozen Tundra

 

 

 

 

I'm attempting to leave the beautiful warm sunshine of San Miguel and head north, first to West Virginia and then on to Colorado to see the Gypsy Kids and the "new kid on the block", Baby Sebastian. The "weather gods" are NOT cooperating. I won't be going to Colorado until March 11th, but I'm attempting to go to West Virginia via Dulles this Thursday, the 11th.

Here's the runaround I got from the airlines tonight when I "attempted" to see if I needed to change my reservations from the 11th to another day to avoid the backup at Dulles. First I got a robot who was useless and finally said there would be a 5-10 minute delay. But, me, I said, "Aha, I'll call international Mexico City since I'm flying out of Leon". I actually got a human, a man. And very nicely he told me that the penalty had been waived if you were flying the 8th through the 10th. I'm flying the 11th, or attempting to do so. So, he DID suggest I wait and call tomorrow and see if the penalty is waived for the 11th. Otherwise I must pay the difference in what I paid for the ticket and what the price is now. What ever happened to the $100 change fee? Wouldn't you think that since they have a bazillion people sitting around in DC that can't get anywhere that they wouldn't want any more people flying in there? What is the logic?

Ok, ok, I'll calm down and focus on the prize. That will be holding Baby Sebastian and playing with Matilda - among other things, good things. Isn't that new baby cute and look at Ms. Matilda with her arms crossed......makes me laugh.

I'll focus on deer in the snow and icicles hanging from the eaves of the house. A Big roaring fire in the fireplace and someone to share it all with. I just hope I don't have to plow through snowdrifts to do so. Or worse, sit on a tarmac somewhere!

Strolling on Sunday

 

 

 

 

LOTS going on in San Miguel on sunny Sunday. I was up and out by 10AM so I could partake of as much as possible. My destination was Candelaria in Juarez Park and the Art and Crafts Fair at the Instituto Allende. I wasn't disappointed in any of that along with a few other stops.

Heading down the hill that early was interesting. No one else heading up the hill as usual. Since the sidewalks are not even wide enough, in some places, for one person it was an easy stroll. Arriving at the jardin, which I always try to head through, much to my delight and surprise, a large contingent of local citizens were exercising and dancing. I know there is a name for it, I think Zumba or something, but it was fun to stop for a minute and watch all the laughter and fun. NEVER a dull moment in centro.

Candelaria is the annual Flower show held in the park with vendors from all over Mexico bringing their most beautiful flowers, plants, bromeliads, orchids, cacti, pots. You name it - it was there. It is such a beautiful setting. Kids are there with wheelbarrows and will follow behind you as you pick up this and that to purchase. Before you know it, you have a full wheelbarrow! Not yesterday for me. I went in search of a certain flower pot that I needed one of and I enjoyed, but didn't linger at the various booths. I knew that if I did, I would weaken. No flower pot like I wanted and for the first time in nine years, I didn't buy one thing. Whew, that was difficult.

Brunch was at Sappo's which is a delightful courtyard restaurant located between the flower show and the arts and crafts fair. I stopped in and midway through my coffee an old friend came over to talk and I ended up having breakfast with his group. Delightful. I saw some other old friends who had just arrived in town. San Miguel is like that. You're always running into someone who just got back or is just getting ready to leave again.

The Arts and Crafts Fair was packed with people and vendors. Beautiful jewelry, folkart, clothing, food. Oh my, it was a feast for the eyes. Too crowded for me and so I headed home.

Nice outing on a Sunday - especially a sunny, warm Sunday.

"Who dat?" THE SAINTS!

Having grown up in Louisiana from the age of 10, there is a bit of the zany in me. Ha, that's an understatement!

Imagine my delight to hear this story from fellow friends from Louisiana. It seems that a sportscaster in Nawlins years ago said that if the Saints EVER got to the Super Bowl that he would walk through the French Quarter in a dress. Well, he died before it happened. His successor took up the challenge and said he would fulfill the pledge.

Six days ago 5000 men walked through the Quarter in dresses. It's hysterical. Here is the video. IF this doesn't make you smile, nothing will!

http://www.vimeo.com/9131842 Boy, I'm proud to say I'm from Louisiana.


GO SAINTS!

Round Top Antique Fair

This blog is usually about Mexico, but today, because someone sent me a YouTube segment on the big antique happening in Texas twice a year, I decided to share it with you.

To me it is fun to read or see an event that was never intended to be anything big or successful, that, because of its very nature, takes on a life of its own. The Round Top Antique Fair definitely fits that category.

It was a semi annual pilgrimage for me when I lived in Houston to drive out the country roads every April and October just to wander around, watch the people, look at all the antiques, have a bite to eat, and visit with old friends.

Well this show covers about five or six towns now! It is so amazing the rest of the year to see open fields but at antique time, there are tents and booths set up for as far as the eye can see. Year after year, vendors from all over the USA come to sell. And, year after year, we all went travel to see, if not buy.

There is definitely something for everyone. Lots of old farm implements, old tools, old gee-gaws and some fine, fine furniture and jewelry.

My Mexican connection to this whole thing is a really likable and sharp guy named Lou Christine. He's a former Philly guy who has several enterprises here in San Miguel. The VIP card, which gives you discounts on all kinds of goods and services along with being involved in putting on the Craft Fairs here in town several times a year. In addition, Lou is a fine writer. I see his by-line often in publications and newspapers. But, he does disappear a couple of times a year and heads to Round Top. We always talk about it in the jardin and I always tell him to say hello to friends of mine up there. When he returns, if it was a good show for the vendors, he is glowing. If there was bad weather and no customers he is gloomy. He is always rooting for the little guy. I'm happy to call him my friend.

Here's the You Tube info. Get a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy. It takes a while to see all the segments but to me it is fun and worth it. http://www.youtube.com/user/ShowDailyMagazine

Niagra Falls in San Miguel de Allende

 

 

 

I first heard the sound on Wednesday night. By then it had been raining forty-eight hours, non-stop. It NEVER rains non-stop in San Miguel. A couple of hours at night is the norm. NOT this time. It started during the night of Monday and finally stopped late on Thursday afternoon. Did I mention it was non-stop? Eight inches is what the statistics show.

And these photos, which I ventured to take from the roof terrace last evening, tell the story even more vividly.

The sound I heard Wednesday night was the floodgates being opened up in the botanical gardens and the waterfall or torrent cascading down the mountain side into the presa (reservoir). It was more then it could hold and it has been overflowing for about 36 hours now! I pray that the walls of the presa will hold or it will be more of a disaster then I could even imagine.

The water is running through the old abandoned and never finished hotel. Club Med started it in 1982 and it still stands there as a silent reminder that someone didn't do their "due diligence". It is beginning to look like a ruin at this point. A BIG gray one.

The sunshine is out - halleluia - and I'm going to finish this post up and get the heck out of the house. I did that on Wednesday. Walking through rivers of water just to get from one side of the street to the other. In addition I lost my house keys and that was another soggy saga that now is funny, but sure wasn't at the time.

I came home. Got in the gate. Thanks to an additional key in my wallet for the gate and then tried to kick the house door open. Well, heck, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. THAT didn't work. Finally I had someone who had a key for the door bring it over and let me in. It was like adding insult to injury to have been wet all day and then have that happen. I'm sure my keys have floated downstream by now. What a mess!

My life is NEVER dull..........

A Body Job

I had a body job done in Melaque - dents, scratches and rust spots all removed. Bumpers were reattached. My old 1998 Nissan Pathfinder looks brand new - all for approximately $142US.......such a deal. The paint job is masterful.

I can hardly believe my eyes. I had intended for six years to have the sideswipe on the passenger side repaired. I called it my "Flash gash" because I sideswiped a panel truck the day that Flash my dog was killed. I didn't care. Then from then on, heck I still didn't care. It just added to the mystique and the lack of worry about driving in Mexico.

Now, I have to be careful again. Geez, I'm backing up like an old Granny - very carefully - and going forward in the same manner, well sorta.

I got back from Melaque yesterday. Made all the correct turns. In some instances with no help from the lack of signage and no dents.

You'll just have to take my word for it. I was too busy photographing beautiful sunrises, sunsets and beach scenes to worry about before and afters of the Pathfinder.

Let's see how long the unscathed car lasts.

Jorge and Claudio

I mentioned previously that we could sit poolside or beachside and hardly ever have to move. The vendors came to us! What a life.

But the piece de resistance was Jorge and Claudio. Little Jorge was 4 years old and his brother Claudio was 8. They peddled glass hand blown swizzle sticks while their Dad watched from a distance. Polite, gracious, adorable. They handled the sticks with gentleness so as to not break the nose off the dolphin one or the leg off the tortuga. How cute! I bought just for the interaction with the kids. Here are photos of them carefully wrapping my purchases. And, then when I wanted a photo of Jorge with the swizzle sticks, Claudio wanted to hold his tray too. Adorable kids.

Their glee at showing all the different types to me was contagious. Especially when I would tell Jorge the names in English. He was a quick learner. Just one of the special memories of this glorious month of sun, sea and relaxation.

I head home manana. Not without reluctance. I'm ready for home, but not ready to leave the beach, the sunrises and sunsets.......oh, and the pinadas - an alcohol free pina colada - gladly I found out that name!

See you on down the road.