This Little Nina is Really Loving her Puppy

There is no Love quite like Puppy Love 

We have Graduated and Must Say Farewell

Bittersweet time it is, we are finished at school. And it is time to get packed up for the real world back home. (but we do have 5 days for that..) 

A Blind Beggar We See Most Every Day

Cheri can not walk by this man without dropping a few pesos in his cup.  

A Walk around town

One day I just walked around Benito Juarez Park and kept going. There are so many different neighborhoods to explore. Some seem exclusively "gringo", others predominantly "gringo". Boy this place has really changed alot since we were here last. And the real estate prices have gone thruogh the roof.... 

The Mexican Police on Parade

They are serious about their Paintball ! 

Another Great Weekend

Last weekend th town celebrated Ignacio Allende 237th Birthday. He was one of Mexico's fore-fathers of the Revolution with Spain. Bands, Parades, Concerts in El Jardin and lots of fireworks.
We celebrated Cheri's Birthday (see link on right) and had a great time. We even went out to a Mexican Honky Tonk after the party. 

A View from "The Mirador"

A scenic overlook of San Miguel de Allende 

A Nightclub in SMA

Look at the look on the waiter's face... 

Ahhh the Beauty of San Miguel de Allende

It had been raining for two days. After being here for nearly a month of pure sunshiney days, I was set back to see it actually rain. But now It Is Bright, the skies are Bluer than Blue. 

A little nina playing with her puppy

This little girl was having a ball playing with her little puppy in the park. 

School's Out... We Passed !!! ;)

Back to Blogging since school is finally over. Cheri and I both passed. So did everyone else in school. Bill & Max arrived in SMA yesterday. We picked them up in Guanajuato City yesterday. The sun has broke through and I decided it was time to update the site.
Tonight there are several get togethers with classmates. The first is a "Hecho en Mexico" the second at the Bullfight, then for drinks at "Limericks".  

Claire and Annie with the Birthday Girl

We have formed many new friendships here. Claire is our SMA adopted daughter. Annie is our new sister across the pond. We hope they will both come to see us in Alabama someday, if not there, then someplace else. 

An Antique Lock on an Antique Door

It is no wonder that books have been made on the mystery and magic of The Doors of San Miguel de Allende and Behind the Doors of San Miguel de Allende. By professional photographer and part-time resident of SMA. We met Mr. de Gast on our first long-term visit here. He also stopped by our house yesterday to drop off some signed editions of his books. They are available at www.pomegranate.com or www.amazon.com . We have enjoyed his books very much and I look forward to the day when he and I can go on an afternoon shoot together to someplace in the city or nearby. 

The Colors Here Just POP

 

A Street Scene Showing the Vibrant Colors

I am not sure if it the color of the almost daily assured sunlight or the bold use of vibrant colors and contrasting textures that bring forth such a sensuous feel to this city. Perhaps it is a combination of all of the above accented in the eye of the observer with the unique-ness of its antiquity. Nowhere that I have been in the Americas are there so many fine colonial and borroque structures. 

You Gotta Admit Some Guys Are Just Lucky

This Group photo was made by Cheri, the birthday girl and the love of my life. But I still have to admit that I love it when I am surrounded by a group like this... 

? Christina's Novio Nuevo ?

Who is he after all these rumours? Could it be the married classmate, the southern gentleman, the ltin hombre? No it is Wild Mayan Joe !! They both practically admitted it near time to leave.... 

Que Hermosas, Que Vidas, Que Borrachos..

As admitted earlier, I had to post a few shots early, before making the party page. I may need to see my classmates again and get permission on some of the photos before posting them. Besides that, I may need some of them to fill in a few of the blank spots in my memory, ha ha. 

Cheri's Birthday Blast...

Such a wonderful night, with such wonderful people. It wa so fun that I am going to create a seperate page just for the party photos. Look for link on your right. (Coming Tuesday)
But for tonight, I have to post a few more... 

Steve Gets Introduced to El Mercado

Big Pig Feet, Cow Feet, Chicken Feet, Skin of all kinds and yes beautiful fragrant flowers, were just some of the things we showed Steve at the market. We also introduced him to Don Rafa and the delight of true organic fruits and vegetables. Many we tried for the first time together, right there at the market..but we passed on the 30 lb. bag of chicken feet. What do they do with those anyway? 

Joe's Saltwater Crocadile Tease

As promised, an intro-blog for my buddy Joe who made a wild adventure to Palenque, Belize and Tikal. Look for a link soon to Joe's Maya Blog....coming soon to this page. 

Shoot The Moon

I shot the Moon thru the arch of the bell tower at Iglesia San Francisco on our walk to school today. 

Dog Day Afternoon/ Halfway Thru the Trip

Today marks the halfway mark in our trip. After we shopped at the Art Fair at the Institudo Allende, we ate lunch. After that we went to an open house and then had dinner with Neil & Blanche at El Correo. All day long I have needed to be studying Espanol, but as these dogs are doing, (even the cat), I am just taking in a lazy Sunday morning,... afternoon and night. 

La Pena del Bernal

Saturday's activity was a road trip to the worlds third largest volcanic plug, after Gibralter and the one in Rio de Janiero.
Cheri, Claire and I drove thru Queretero to a well kept secret, (at least from gringos), La Pena del Bernal.
This place is magical, with much to offer the day-tripper from SMA or DF. Vendors sell geodes, spears, sling shots, necklaces, bracelets and gem stones. We bought some of all of the above. They are famous for thier wool products like sweaters and shawls. It was absolutely Georgeous.  

A Group of Estudiantes borrachos descend upon ..

After Dave's Party, we went straight down the hill on Piedras Chinas to SMA. It was como un mob of Gringos coming down to take over the town..... 

Francisco & Russ were at the Party too..

My classmates and I enjoyed the beautiful views from Dave's house. We also made lots of digital images. This is one trying to capture the view with fill flash.