To be back in this little cobblestoney city of San Miguel is as comfortable as sliding my feet into a pair of well worn Birkenstocks.   Every corner I turn fields a well worn path to a favourite cafe, wine shop, mercado, farmacia, restaurante, a textile shop, art gallery, yoga studio and my very favourite, the biblioteca, where I regularly attend interesting talks on global issues  … I breathe it in and count my blessings, happy to be back here for another month, leaving behind an unseasonably warm brown landscaped Canadian winter.   My good friend Bev and I, along with her husband Dave, who arrived a few days ago, are as comfortable as good friends should always be, exploring anew, our favourite little central Mexican city.   We often head to the Jardin, the life centre of San Miguel with the grand dame of churches, the Parroquia, proudly declaring its ruling presence.  Built in 1555, refaced in 1880, remains the most photographed church in all of Mexico.  It is where everyone gathers, locals and tourists alike, to meet up or just to sit a spell, savouring the ambiance.  When alone, I often walk into the Parroquia to sit quietly in meditation.

Instantly we are drawn into the culture of the place … a musical concert in the canyons of the Botanical Gardens, was in itself a mystically magical experience! ….  the ‘alternative movie’ margarita popcorn nights, in a twenty seat theatre, remain a favourite!  We hosted our first party last night, feeling very much like San Migueleze residents :)!!   I remain surprised at how much I really enjoy living here … yes, it has its share of pollution, crowds of sorts, sometimes grumpy gringos, but the overriding draws remain the overall quiet understated charm of the city and the energy produced by the friendly happy kind local Mexican residents …. the indigenous, the Mayans, the original inhabitants of Mexico!   As Mexico City is only a two hour drive away, the streets of San Miguel are teeming with Mexico City residents most weekends, wanting the fresher air of SMA much like we in Calgary head for the mountains.   I have no idea if I will always be as enthralled  … I am living in the very zen like present moment here … it is enough.