My “Walkabouts”

I still have much to share about Oaxaca, but I’ll get back to those fine memories soon. Yesterday we finally saw blue skies here in San Miguel Allende where traveling friend Mary and I have been for ten days without what most folk come for: glorious sun.  It’s been cold here, and sleeping in my clothes is not ideal. The rains have been big downpours, but Mexico’s drought-ridden land is very happy now. And I can get about the business of camera work.

San Miguel, the cradle of Mexican independence is quite the eclectic collection of art workshops, talented musicians, operas, unique lectures and church architecture that wows. Since this is a hot spot for expats from the U.S. and Canada, it’s hard to practice much Spanish. Haute couture “tiendas” boast Louis Vuitton shoes, and restaurants vie for international acclaim.  We make do with uninteresting breakfasts at our budget hotel and wine, fruit,  bread and cheese in the room.  Of course  we do splurge, but usually for lunch. I love the cobblestoned streets and alleys, the pepper-colored stuccos, and my favorite past photo is a blue door shown in my book ” Give me the Blues.”  (See links to the right)

I will be hiring a skilled SMA photographer (whose books I  have) to guide me in my search for light.

http://www.robertdegast.com/pages/behind.html

Next on the agenda is my first dance lesson at Arthur Murray (3^rd year). Trent puts me through my reviews of salsa and rhumba with great pizazz and I am smiling.

Late afternoon  I maneuver  the narrow sidewalks carefully not willing to be one of the fallen women.  Just as I think I will proudly boast to my family that I have only “almost tripped thus far”, it happens again, but I remain upright.

Every evening I  read the blog from a new friend I lunched with in Oaxaca. She now roughs it in Chiapas. http://oaxacaculture.com/2012/02/yaxchilan-remote-mayan-site-in-chiapas/

In comparison: our “camping out” moments are tame. Splicing lamp wires with scotch tape, begging a portable heater from the staff, and wondering why one day cleaning service is so different than the next.  But we are grateful for borrowing space in the hotel frig. Life moves along joyfully.