Fighting a cold--San Miguel style

It has been a pretty quiet time for us here in San Miguel.  Still enjoying the house and when we have the energy, very much enjoying SMA, its many attractions and events, but for much of the last week or so we have been sick.  Both of us have had the most enervating cold ever.

Mart & Bob Larson: Great Traveling Companions

Larry thought he was on the road to recovery as we prepared to leave Denver, but Sue began to feel the first symptoms on the plane, and since we have been in Mexico, the cold has run its full course in both of us, including coughing so much to keep us awake most of the night.

We are traveling with Mart & Bob and their friend, Carol,  long time Mexican resident, was able to get a doctor's name and number for us.

Dr. Gardillo speaks English and German as well as Spanish and has a wonderful manner.  His staff and clients call him Dr. Ricardo.  With his help, Sue seems to be making  a good, if not swift, recovery.  He also is the first doctor we have consulted that seems to be making some progress dealing with the ear infection that has been dogging her since last March.  We are much impressed with Mexican medicine and doctors, especially compared with American physicians and clinics. Unfortunately, our friend Bob now has come down with the illness-- he immediately saw "Dr. Ricardo" and we can only hope his bout will milder and more shortlived.

When not dealing with illnesses, we have managed to find the grocery store, the liquor store, and the central market.  The grocery store stocks a lot of American products and has a full line of organic and gluten free products.

Sunset from our rooftop terrace

The market vegetables all seem a little bit fresher and lovelier than those we find at home. The only drawback is that all of the vegetables have to be washed in an antiseptic bath before they can be cooked or eaten raw. You have to be careful not to take an inadvertent bite out of an apple or casually peel an orange to pop into your mouth. Fortunately both the grocery store and market are only a five to ten minute walk from our house, because we seem to need to visit one or the other almost every day.

Although Sue has stayed mostly at home, the other three of us have had enough energy to take a couple of notable tours.  Our first was an Audubon walk through El Charco Jardin Botanico.  We loved this garden and nature preserve when we were here last fall, and it was a delight to visit again.  It is a lot greener this year than last--they have had an incredibly wet rainy season this year, but the biggest difference was walking through it with a group of birders.

Birding in El Charco Botanical Garden

Arriving at the Garden at the appointed time we found four Audubon guides--each armed with their "scopes" and fully outfitted head to toe in their REI "bird watcher uniforms."  After introductions, we were handed a photocopied list of birds that have been spotted in and around San Miguel and then along with some 10 other novices, we started out following our guides to the first lookout point.

 Our guides made sure that each of us had binoculars, loaning a pair if we came "unarmed." The binoculars help to see the birds that the guides point out, but the really astounding thing is seeing the birds through the powerful scopes once the guides have located them--it was truly an eye-opening experience and made the two hour tour fun and educational. The three of us had a great time--even laughing at ourselves as we tried to determine if the "widgen" we had just looked at is considered a duck, plover or a wading bird--we certainly had no idea. All four of us have signed up for an Audubon sponsored tour next Saturday, on an old hacienda half an hour outside of town--we know it's going to be lots of fun.

The other tour was a house and garden tour sponsored by SMA's Biblioteca Publica, a library started and run by the expat community that, in addition to serving as a library and expat community center, provides a wonderful outreach service to the children of San Miguel.  Proceeds from the weekly tours and their many other services, go to the library's children's fund. This past Sunday's tour featured two houses, one in town and the other about ten miles away in the community of Atotonilco.

Living room area in town house

Garden &  featured cacti

 The town house has been built in the last ten years or so and is very spare and modern, utilizing a lot of concrete and bare walls. For me (Larry), the best part of the house were the outdoor spaces, featuring some extraordinary planting of cacti and offering great views of San Miguel and environs. The house really resonated with Bob and his modern aestethic for clean, spare design.

One of the rooftop terraces in the town house

The second house was located in Atotonilco; like San Miguel, it is a world heritage site and is home to a beautiful 18th century church (Sanctuary) that draws worshipers and pilgrims from all over Mexico, especially on Sundays like the day we visited. Because of the large number of pilgrims, each Sunday also sees the tiny little community come alive with a market selling food, religious objects, and lots of other things like jewelry and pottery.

View of the Sanctuary from the house

Atotonilco market

 Two artists have been renovating and expanding their Atotonilco house for the last ten years.  Starting with what were some stables and outbuildings of a nearby hacienda, they have created a beautiful mansion and garden.

Another incredible garden with pool

Every bedroom has its own private and luxurious bathroom.  Every room seems to have its own theme and design features. The entire house is done with great style and taste.

The gardens have been carefully created, again featuring cactus and other indigenous plants, but also more flowering plants and greenery than in the town house.

Great outdoor living space

All of us really liked the country mansion and could easily envision living there--had we only the two million or so dollars that it would take to purchase it--it is on the market, should anyone be interested.

The return bus ride to San Miguel gave us the opportunity to see more of the surrounding countryside--evidently the entire area is in the throws of real estate development--we passed a number of planned communities with homes selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.  It means more prosperity for the town and region, but also change that could "kill the goose that laid the golden egg".

P.S. (from Sue):  I've been sick, so Larry went out and found another squeeze:

Return to San Miguel De Allende

Bob in the LR at Casa Sollano

Our trip from Denver was uneventful, and the airport shuttle dropped us off right at the front door of our home for the next six weeks, Casa Sollano, in San Miguel de Allende. Of all of the places in Mexico we visited last year, San Miguel was our favorite and our first few days of return have been a delight.

As advertised, the house is a large colonial, more than 200 years old, and  not more than two blocks from the central plaza (El Jardin) and the parish church (La Parroquia.)

View of the Parroquia
from our terrace

One of the bedrooms

Except for the church bells, which we have quickly come to love and look forward to, it is remarkably quiet and serene. Perhaps most exciting for us is our friends, Mart & Bob Larson, have decide to join us for the next seven weeks in Mexico!We are looking forward to lots of new adventures.

Sue & Mart on the patio

With a large living area,  a central patio, three bedrooms, three baths, and a fantastic upstairs terrace, there is plenty of opportunity both for visiting and for private contemplation (or naps).

The best part of the house has to be the rooftop terrace with a great view of the Parroquia--which sits on the town's main square.

Tea on the Terrace

Arriving on November 1st,  in the midst of the three day celebration of   "Dia de Los Muertos" or Day of the Dead, was an extra added treat.

Dia de Los Muertos celebrants

The first night, there was a parade of ghouls & goblins that passed just outside of our house.  Young and old, Mexicans and Gringos--all seem to be into celebrating and dressing up.

The most fun is seeing all the women in their beautiful dresses & hats--and their faces painted as skeletons.

Large decorated muneca or doll.

The town is mobbed with tourists--seemingly mostly Mexicans. The decorations are quite elaborate & interesting--many of them honoring dead family members or notable Mexicans and San Miguelito.

We are settling in, exploring the city, enjoying our rented house and deciding what to do and what to see during the next few weeks.

Three caballeros

More young ladies

The Jardin with the Parroquia in the background

One of our favorites

Parade of children & large puppets (Las Caritas)

Las Catrinas

More parade participants

Fall leaves, Sun, and Snow in the Park

Denver City Park Lake

When we found our little Denver bungalow on AirBnB, we knew that it was close to Denver's City Park, but we really had no idea what a great park it is and how much we would enjoy being able to walk there. Crisscrossed by bike paths and walking trails, it also includes the Zoo and the Science & Nature Museum

For us, one of the nicer features is the large lake--about a mile and half around and always a great walk, with the water providing an ever changing view and atmosphere. 

Sue walking in the Snow

Last week after a string of wonderful mild and bright autumn days, we woke to a lovely, light snowfall.  By 10:00 am the sun had once again come out, making it a perfect morning for a walk in the park.  We practically had the park to ourselves--except for the myriad Canada geese who call the Park home.

The Canada Geese are seemingly everywhere

Although they are fun to watch, especially when they take off or land on the lake, they also present a huge problem for park users--their prolific guano is everywhere, and you have to watch every step.

We recently met a park employee whose job is to make the park less enticing for the geese.  He releases his bright orange, radio controlled "gooseinator" on the various lakes and ponds. The geese really don't like the little creature-like machine and take flight whenever it approaches, although they return quickly once the gooseinator is out of the water. Our informant claims that the program is working though--last year they found more than 250 eggs in various nests around the park--this year hardly any.

Snow clinging to the colored leaves

Still on this lovely October morning with much of the ground covered in a light dusting of snow, we didn't worry too much about the goose guano.  We felt tremendously invigorated and peaceful at the same time, after our hour long walk. The air was cold and crisp and the scenery delightful!

MLK Memorial

Not long ago on one of our strolls, we came upon a wonderful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. We now make a point of passing by it almost every time we walk in the area. It consists of a large statue of Dr. King, surrounded by smaller statues of Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, and Mahatma Gandhi.  The history of the Movement and many quotes from Dr.King surround the central sculpture at the end of star-like points. We find it much more moving and approachable than the MLK memorial in DC.

Charlie the Climber

Of course, we can't help sharing this lovely park with Charlie.  The geese, the lake, the statues, and even the playground are not nearly as interesting or fun as climbing on every available rock and wall!

If anyone visits us in Denver, a trip to our favorite sites in City Park will definitely be on the agenda.  Go West Young Man and come west young at heart folks of any gender or age!! 

Halloween Is Here !!

Charlie trying to get Opa in the mood for Halloween.

 One marked change from our childhood is the incredible growth in the popularity of Halloween and the the desire to dress up--for all ages.  We recently read that Halloween is second only to Christmas in its  commercial impact.




Here in Denver, there seem to be all kinds of ways and places to get in the mood.  One of the most fun for us was going with Bryn and Charlie to a close by neighborhood shopping street, Tennyson, which was hosting a family dress up and candy give-a-way this past  Saturday.  (Reminded us of Mt. Vernon Ave. in
Alexandria.)

Charlie learning the concept of getting candy from strangers

Charlie didn't want to wear his dragon outfit, but thought Opa looked great in it.  He opted for staying in his jack-o-lantern themed jammies!

This creative fellow said it took two weeks to make this robot costume.

With bright blue skies and warm temperatures in the 60's it was a perfect day for a family outing.  We saw an incredible array of costumes for both children and adults--but what was so nice about it was that it was really all about the younger kids.  It was a real "treat" for us to walk the eight or so blocks admiring so many sweet little tots in all their varied get-ups.  The turn out was fantastic.

Coiffured Lioness

Some little girls still want to be princess

Everywhere you looked there were lots of smiles and laughter.  Don't recall seeing one child misbehaving, or for that matter one parent.

While others like to be Super Heroes like their brothers

Mom & Dad: I'll never forgive you for this!

Best costume & shtick by a merchant

The Scream & sad fairy

Charlie--enjoying a dumdum with Mom & friend, Shanna

Doesn't this little fellow look just like Harry Potter?

A great family day

Costumes for the entire Family, including Dad

Charlie was happy to share his loot with a friendly witch!

Hope your Halloween is fun!!!

Watching Charlie Grow

A Broncos fan in the making.

We haven't been very diligent about posting these last few weeks.  We are settled in here in Denver, enjoying our nice little bungalow.  We thought we had found a place that we could return to regularly, but our landlady, who has decided that she is tired of Colorado winters and is heading to Florida, put the house up for sale last week and had several offers in just three or four days, so we have to find another place when we return next to Denver.

As the photos accompanying this blog attest, our favorite activity is being with Charlie and watching him grow and develop. A couple of times a week, we watch him on our own for three or four hours--and then need to take a day or two to recover.  How can a 20 month old have so much energy and curiosity?

 The big event in Charlie's life has been starting day care in September. Leave taking was the big issue--those transitions are tough!

The teachers tell us that he quickly adjusted and settled down--but you can imagine how it tugs at your heartstrings to close the door on a little crying boy--clinging to his "Clyde the Frog" stuffed animal.

It has been over a month, now, and he loves it--even gets excited when he knows he is going to "school".

Health wise it has been hard on all of us...in the first four weeks, Charlie has had three colds and a case of pink eye.  Each of us--Mom, Dad, Oma & Opa, Nanna and Pops--have had one of more colds, but none of the adults fortunately contracted the pink eye.

Playing fireman at the Children's Museum

Other activities with Charlie have included:

 

Walks through the neighborhood--each day there is something new to discover & enjoy.

Playing with our digger in the backyard sandbox

Playing with any iPhone or other electronic device that comes into our hands

Using the digger toy at the neighborhood playground

Visiting the Botanical Gardens with Opa & Oma

Indulging Opa with his McDonald's addiction!

Exploring with Greg & Shirley

Greg & Shirley Llafet

Our time in Denver has also allowed us the opportunity to get to know our son-in-law's parents--Greg & Shirley Llafet, aka Charlie's Pops and Nanna.

Recent retirees like us, they moved this July from California back to Colorado.  Besides sharing a mutual love and admiration of Charlie, we also have a lot of other interests in common, including travel and exploration, history and politics, and independent movies!

Facing the wind on Pike's Peak.

Shirley and Greg, although they have been away for many years, are Colorado natives.  They know the area really well and are always willing to act as tour guides, for which we are very grateful.  Recently on a sunny Wednesday, we all drove to Colorado Springs to visit the Air Force Academy and Pike's Peak.  Both were new to us and very interesting!

Our last stop was the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs--a Grand Hotel built in the early 20th century that still knows how to provide a truly unique experience. Sipping dirty martinis on the lakeside patio, listening to the evening piper and watching the sun set was a great way to end the day.

Family Wedding

At the wdding

This month, we also took a short trip back east to visit with Larry's family in North Georgia.  The occasion was the wedding of our nephew, Will Ryder to his beautiful fiancee and now wife--Sammi. We were delighted to be included in the celebration.

Larry with his Mom and siblings--Glenda, Dale & Sandy.

The reception was out of doors under a tent pitched beside a small lake. What's so nice about weddings is that it brings families together for a happy occasion that includes visiting and catching up. The wedding was sweet and we really enjoyed our time with everyone.

Sammi & Will Ryder--the newlyweds.

 

In a couple weeks we are heading to Mexico with our friends, Mart and Bob Larson, for six weeks.  We are looking forward to showing them some of the beautiful places we visited when we stayed with Erin last year.  We will try to blog more frequently, so you can travel along.  We hope everyone will enjoy the coming holiday season...and that all are enjoying this lovely autumn.