Yesterday I moved out of a family home in the center of town with three meals and housekeeping and into a small apartment farther from the center of town all by myself. I am about a 25 minute walk to school. Into town won’t be too bad, but back home is all uphill! What I love about this apartment is that it is cool! I hadn’t realized how important having some part of the day under 70 degrees would be! I have found that cool nights help me sleep and keep me rested. I am looking forward to new adventures starting here! First, I signed up for another week of Spanish lessons!
This is the view from the top floor of my building – I live four floors below. But I can see “mountains” now! 
This is where I had breakfast this morning – in my private garden space!
Below is where I enjoy doing my homework. The cafe is located in the library and I love the fountain in the background. This library is quite big and is very busy for people of all ages, both Mexicans and ex-pats. It supports a lot of one on one Spanish and English tutoring, too.
The city of San Miguel blossomed around a culture of art. I am grateful it includes music! The Latin Jazz concert pictured below is part of their annual Jazz & Blues Festival. I will return to SMA in November to attend the Festival. Since it is the Festival’s 20th anniversary, they are sponsoring two concerts each month leading up to it. The last concert was “Muddy Waters” and featured musicians from the US. I particularly enjoyed the Latin Jazz concert! All the musicians are originally from the state of Guanajuato and now two of them live in New York City. A four person combo with two of them percussionists? How fun is that!?!
I was standing outside my home waiting for my Uber and I see the scene below! So, we have the purple city buses, and cars – and these two on horseback! The first rider is an older man and the second one is a young woman. By now it is 80 degrees out and they are wearing wool outfits. Not sure where they were going or what part they play, but I loved seeing them!
Mariachi Bands! In SMA, especially on a weekend night, walking around El Jardin (center plaza), in front of the Parroquía (large church), you will find a number of mariachi bands hanging out and warming up. I have even heard trumpet players warming up with classical music. Some are in black suits, some in white, some in grey and some in blue. All ages participate – some 10 year-olds are apprenticing with family members. It is a delight when they gather around a family, or couple and begin playing! You are lucky if you are close by. On these evenings Mariachis are only paid when people request them to play for them. Notice the stylish headwear of the women in front? Those flower crowns are sold everywhere, are worn everywhere. I find them beautiful!
My México Travels 