Traveling the Back Roads of Mexico!

Nothing makes my heart sing more then to be on the back roads of Mexico!  To see the horizons, the fertile land with brocolli or maize or whatever that is planted for as far as the eye can see and to see the people. 

The last few days I've been on the road for brief periods.  Over to near Delores Hidalgo for some talavera pots to replace some rusted buckets on the roof terrace.  In the distance were rolling thunderclouds.  The mountains were misty so I knew the rain was imminent.  Indeed, before I got back to San Miguel we had a lovely rain shower for a few hours.

Gratefulness flooded me as it tamped down the dirt that has surrounded the house, me and Velcro's paws.
Yes, there have been little dirt prints in the house lately. 

Then yesterday, I headed over to Celaya for shopping at Walmart, Home Depot and Costco.  A stocking up trip so I can be ready for Christmas baking in a few weeks among other things.  Necessary things like plant food and concrete nails.  A ham for a gathering.  Stuff like that.

The drive was exquisitely beautiful as always with the planted fields everywhere.  In addition, the yellow daisy wildflowers are still blooming.  So tall as to almost be a boundary marker for the fields.  It is interesting how that drive is so relaxing.  No towns to drive through so its all countryside.

One new addition to the drive is a huge vineyard.  All the stock is planted on rolling hillsides.  Quite lovely.
Many vineyards growing in this area now.  Close to ten.  The soil and atmosphere here is perfect for grapes.
Think Napa, or, don't laugh, Texas Hill country, which has won many awards. 

A few weeks ago I was on the back roads around San Miguel.  Get away from centro in the colonias  and there can be all kinds of sights to see.

I was passing through Colonia Obraje when I caught sight of something moving in the distance.  At that time I wasn't quite certain what I was seeing.

By now I could see that it was someone hauling chairs down the cobbled road toward San Miguel and the centro.  Either to a store or a home, but since unpainted or unstained, probably a store.

Six chairs being hauled to market!  So many memories flooded my mind.  IF I were still in business, I would have stopped the man and asked where his taller was, what he made and what were the prices. 

There were times in the past, especially over in Michoacan, when I have followed a truck until it stopped to find out where the beautiful things were coming from.  Many a day was spent meeting these amazing craftsmen and women along with seeing their creations.

One of the most amazing stories goes way back into the late 70's when I met Bustamante in Tlaquepaque selling his surreal work.  He didn't have the fancy shops that he has now but was sitting on a wall with his work spread out around.  We talked for quite a while.  To be truthful, I had never seen anything like his work and was so intrigued.  He asked if I wanted to go to his taller to see more.  Of course I said, "Yes". We rode in his old beat up pickup truck to his taller.  It was like being on another planet.  Surreal work everywhere.

Of course today, I couldn't afford any of his work.  His well designed boutiques are not only in Mexico but I've seen them in the USA as well. 

Then there is the memory of my buying clay pots down in centro in San Miguel.  The owner said he would have his man deliver the six large pots that I purchased to my home.  Of course, I thought he had a truck.
Next thing I see as I look out the window a few hours later is an ancient man coming up the steep cobbled road with the pots on his head!  It was a sight that was hard to believe.

Maybe that is why I'm still so happy to be here.  Just when I think I've seen a lot, something else either surprises me since I"ve never seen it before or something I see brings back sweet memories.

Viva Mexico!