Traveling around San Miguel - back streets, hillsides and more!

 Believe it or not, the above photo is within the boundaries of San Miguel.  It is a hillside across from the Hotel Atascadero.  On the other side of the hill is the Luciergana Mall and, as you can see the mountains in the background, one is an extinct volcano!

This precious little woman walks the streets of San Miguel selling whatever she happens to have in her rebozo.  No, I did not buy anything from her that day. If memory serves me correctly, she was selling shawls.

Walking UP Cuesta de San Jose one day, this was the sight as the man who sells dirt must have been in the tienda getting a snack. The burro with his bags of dirt on his back must have hoped that he too would get a snack!

In November, in years past the kindergarteners would parade through the streets of centro dressed as various revolutionaries such as Zapata and Porfirio Diaz and others in honor of November 20th. It is always intriguing to see the costumes that the parents provide for their little ones.  Creativity abounds.

Often, when there is a party at someone's home or there is a new business opening or whatever, mariachis are hired to serenade the attendees.  This event was at some friend's home.  Regal and loud and a great delight to hear mariachis.

This little lady strolls the streets selling flowers or whatever she has to sell.  If she looks familiar it is because she has starred in several movies made in San Miguel.  One was the movie with Antonio Banderas.  She usually has a joyful smile.  She is much loved.

It is not unusual to see someone on horseback or burro back.  This was a rainy day rider crossing the bridge near La Aurora, the center for art and all kinds of beautiful things to purchase.

 Here come the "beasts of burden" up the street that I lived on until two years ago.  They are carrying firewood on this trip.  Many Mexican families still cook with firewood especially if they don't have gas or electricity in their homes. 

A photo in centro looking down Zacateros street.  From this photo you can tell how dense the town is as one can walk from centro to the outskirts in about twenty to twenty five minutes.  I used to walk from my house on the hill to the outskirts in that length of time.  Back then I was a fast walker!  It is lovely to look out and see the mountains covered in green.  This photo probably was taken after the rainy season.

 Fresh flowers are available to purchase all over town.  I can tell from these it was close to Dia de los Muertos.  People take time to stop and visit and talk with each other.  What might start out as a ten minute walk somewhere, may take quite a bit of longer time, depending on how many friends one stops to talk with.

This is one of the fountains throughout town decorated in flowery finery again for Day of the Dead.
One of the joyful things to do is to walk from fountain to fountain at this time of the year to see all the decorations.  People are out strolling and greeting each other.  It is quite delightful and beautiful.

This photo always makes me grin.  It encapsulates the tranquility of San Miguel.  This dog was lying directly in the path of foot traffic in front of the benches so that people continuously were walking around him.  This is a common sight to see and one that always makes my heart happy!

These are just a few of my favorite photos.  Of course there are so many, but, recently while working on a project, I set these aside to share with you.

At the present time, life is of course centered at home, but, remembering these sights lends a sense of contentment that things like this will hopefully be available to see again in San Miguel some day.

Viva Mexico!