Viva México
Just returned from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Internet sites explain that people travel to San Miguel to study art, learn Spanish and take Mexican cooking classes, if not moving there to live in the delightful historic town in central Mexico. I write that people go there to drown in tequila. What else? San Miguel featured prominently in the Mexican War of Independence, and has since developed an expansive and colorful art community.
We went there to attend our son’s wedding. Corbett lives in San Francisco. Since he and his fiancé Kristin had both been to San Miguel two times and loved the complete small town ambiance, a year of planning included el lo major (only the best) pre and post wedding events. All turned out to be a perfect Mexican wedding.
I can explain this wedding experience best in photos and videos I’d taken. Words sometimes defy explicit descriptions that only visuals can capture. But I can tell you this: Our travels this time in Mexico included the cities of Leon, Guanajuato and Delores as well as San Miguel in the state of Guanajuato. A few locals that assisted us with directions were pleasant. The poverty was widespread and unchecked. Yet, the homeless and vagrants were either hiding out or non-existent.
Absent were drug cartels, prostitutes, drive-by shootings, muggings and police. The streets were filled with locals, tourists, delivery trucks and construction and road workers. It resembled the States back in the 20s.
The Mexicans are proud of their heritage and extravagant in their celebrations, and their poverty is a huge equation in their political and cultural legacy. They have no where to go and endure every catastrophe thrown at them.
The cities are old, the streets dusty, the people humbled and the churches, mucho churches, are always under restoration. They pride religion, they hide nothing, they cherish family, and they welcome and offer their friendship without hesitation. Tequila? Oh, yeah! It’s always present. It’s a mainstay. Tacos? Not so much. Enchiladas? Another mainstay. Burritos? Definitely! Church bells? All day long.
If you plan on visiting Mexico learn to speak some Spanish. The regular Mexicans do not speak any English. You will only find broken-English Speaking Mexicans in the resorts and glorified restaurants. Otherwise, expect to use simple sign language. Memorize in Spanish “Where is a bathroom?” “Do you have toilet paper?” “How much is this?” “Why did I come HERE?” Only kidding with that last one.
What I say now is Viva México…no matter what!
Ben Campbell
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