Author Archives: KHNolan

On Tuesday I leave for Puebla City! I’ll be back for Dia de los Muertos and the San Miguel Jazz and Blues Festival in November. I am anxious to explore and observe a new city, but will be sad to leave a city where I know my way around and leave some people and placesContinue reading “Good by for Now San Miguel”

Last week I felt sad and uncomfortable to realize my role was that of tourist, with little opportunity to practice much higher level Spanish. This week I’m trying on a different role – that of observer, and appreciator. It still doesn’t feel ideal, but I can live with it, and it feels more true. ThanksContinue reading “Maybe Observer and Appreciator?”

What is it like now that the excitement and novelty has worn off? Well, I’m struggling with constipation, Spanish classes are kicking my butt, I nearly faced the world without my phone, I don’t feel like I am fitting in, I am running out of money, I feel the edges of depression creeping in, friendsContinue reading “The Honeymoon is Over . . .”

1958 to 1962: Chapala and Guadalajara, Jalisco Mom read that a family could live in Mexico on $125 a month – just the amount of Dad’s WWII pension. Dad was interested as he was not satisfied in his insurance job and the one-hour commute to downtown Chicago. In the summer of 1958, with our stuffContinue reading “Past Memories of México”

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 IContinue reading “Pedacitos y Pedazos (Bits and Pieces)”

Este lunes, comencé mi clase de español en la Academía Hispano Americano. Es un lugar muy amable, como se ves en la fotografías arriba y abajo. Me gusta mucho a mi maestra, quien se llama Aidé. Ella es muy expresiva y nos enseña sobre la cultura además de gramática. Soy en el tercer nivel yContinue reading “¡Hablamos el Español!”

The first thing that hit me as I wandered about town, is how beautiful it is. Churches, gardens and parks a plenty! Almost all buildings maintain the stunning old-style wooden doors, handcrafted metal latches, stone and adobe walls with bright color paint. Wandering down the streets, glancing in and entry and a whole other worldContinue reading “First Impressions of San Miguel de Allende”

I have to admit that I felt a little fearful in visiting this large city known for it’s violence, among other things. It being the first stop on my trip also added some anxiety. For those reasons, and others, I signed up for four Air BnB “experiences” to help me explore some of the areasContinue reading “Ciudad de México!”

I arrived on time at 7 am with all my stuff and no hassles – into the airport by 7:30! It is an open airport that is nicely kept up – no kids hawking chicle (gum). The first thing I saw was a Carl Jr. The Starbucks was a big resource as it had aContinue reading “Arrived in Mexico City – Safe and Sound!”

I love it – why leave it? Bellingham, with it’s moderate temperatures (pre-climate change?), situated between Mt. Baker and Bellingham Bay, and easily accessible to Vancouver BC, the San Juan Islands, and Seattle is in a great spot of the world! I own my own home nestled in an intentional community that I helped developContinue reading “My Home”