July 2008 in SMA

We begin with a letter from Bev:

Hi everyone, From Bev and Mike 7/08

Here is my wish you were here note from San Miguel. I’d love to share in person so much of what happens and the character of the place. There are definitely parts, however, I prefer not to share…more on that later.

We arrived to a growing neighborhood. There are about seven building projects in our little section. The houses tend to be quite large and beautiful. Most of the people are from the west coast, Berkeley, Portland, LA and I figure got good money for their houses and converted it to dream houses down here. There are surprisingly a lot of social workers, psychologists, architects, teachers and even a few of us nurses among the group. People are casual and very friendly and generally of a progressive point of view. Last night we hosted an Obama Platform party and we had a lively and interesting discussion. Most of us were on the same page, but each had their own life’s work and experiences to color the discussions. This part of SMA is the expat community experience, where you are surrounded by your own kind, which has its pluses and minuses. The good news is that I like all these neighbors and expect to feel a growing sense of community with them.

Summer is one of my favorite if not the favorite season here for me. It is the rainy season so that everything turns green, the hillsides, and the gardens. Things grow rapidly, like overnight, so we came back to our baby trees looking like grade schoolers. With the growth of things we nurture, come the things we don’t …weeds, which I spent yesterday chasing. Flowers abound...beaugenvellia (sp) in all colors either grow up walls or flow down over them, tiny black-eyed susan type weeds peer up through the breaks in the cobble stone streets, cactus flash their red flowers, and all the gardeners here enjoy the bounty of their efforts. Never having been much of a gardener myself, it will be fun to learn about the many varieties here and learn how to use them. We want to stick to low water, low maintenance, native plants, but I’ll allow for a few beautiful flowers.

The weather is perfect. Cool enough at nights to have a light blanket, and in the am to use a light fleece. It the afternoons, short sleeves is in order. The sun is out most of the time, but you get these dramatic storms. We had one last night. Flashes of lightening all around us up here in the hills, pounding rains that turned into hail, with torrents directed at angles so our house once again got lots of water under doors and even through some windows. Then after an hour or two of lighter rain, it stops and the next day is fresh and clear. We haven’t had enough rain yet this year, so hope the storms continue.

Haven’t spent much time downtown yet. Finally got hit with the bad bug. Either it was unwashed sprouts or tuna samples from Costco, but my second or third day here got the full Monty of GI distress. I was at a Mexican friend’s house when this came over me and fortunately her boyfriend is a doctor. She called him and he sent Mike to the pharmacy where he could buy over the counter without prescription, Zofran injectible plus a syringe for nausea and vomiting, Cipro, another med for diarrhea which I still haven’t figured out, and a bottle of electrolyte stuff…cost $60. No MD visit is necessary if you know what you want…Guess this is common stuff. I instructed Mike how to give me an IM injection and have spent the last few days recovering. After the first 7 hours, hasn’t been that bad, but those hours were ugly!

Can’t believe that when I return Tessa will be in the States. We are so excited to have them back in our world and to be part of this incredibly wonderful time of their lives.

So hasta luego to all and hoping you are having a wonderful summer.

March 2008

March 2008 ...

This is our 10^th. Visit to SMA …exactly four years after our very first trip!

Again, just to appreciate the difference between here in Pittsburgh and West Virginia, Bev took this photo just days before our departure:

In West Virginia, our friends Betty and Ernie Savage - a highly industrious country couple - who among many other country crafts - spend the winter making beautiful quilts - one of which graces our bed in Mexico.

Our first week in SMA was the ‘adjustment’ week! Bev’s arthritis was not good so taking care of herself was a priority. We decided not to take the trip to Laredo during the first week as planned so that Bev could have some ‘healing time’ rather than 1500 miles on the road!

It was Bev’s first opportunity to see how house that had been transformed from white to earth-tone brown…and she loved it!

Casa Tecolote's front entrance at night:

So we lay low for the first week…and prepared for Sue and George’s visit … which we were greatly looking forward to. Their plan was to arrive basically a week after we did.

I started to draw up the plans for the kitchen storage cabinets/computer station and Bev went about setting up the house according to her wishes.

We went to the hot springs during that week in order to give a ‘soak’ in the healing waters.

Sue and George’s visit was fantastic. They are the easiest ‘guests’ one could possibly ask for as they are as perfectly happy to sit around and read as they are taking an adventure of unknown destination … though I must admit we did more of the former than the latter!

They loved walking down and about El Centro (and Sue found the artisan’s market the best place to shop for gifts!), but didn’t relish the idea of the near 45 degree incline back to the house so took the taxi!

Walks in the botanical garden where one of their favorite ventures. Of course, it was necessary to do the ‘Tuesday market’ which they loved.

Naturally we had to take themto the hot springs. Here the major feature are the three pools of water …each progressively more hot that the other. While there are few who linger in the hottest pool for the 30 minutes plus that I do, I had never known anyone to dip a ‘toe’ in to the first pool and say, “no way … this is too hot” … before Sue! So, she we again, perfectly content to sit and read ( as we all did!).

It was a great visit and we hope that they too have many good memories of San Miguel!

One of my greatest joys in scooting all around SMA on the four-wheeler…it gets places fast, is easy to park, and given current gas prices is really cheap! That said, I’m thinking about trading it in for a motorcycle. Somehow, given my retired status, I think I look better on one:

Sue and George, Bev and I, went out to the land that is owned by friends, Lourdes and Victor. Lourdes (you may recall from an earlier blog entry) is a friend who rows and is building a rowing program in neighboring, Queretaro. They are building a beautiful vacation place on the Presa. Their land is on a little bay that during low water reveals a portion of the town that was flooded including the steeple of the church. (That's me rowing near the steeple!)

And here the six of us are enjoying a leisurely comida!

As some of you know, I've been working with a group that I helped to found called, Amigos de la Presa and most recently had been trying to have a meeting with a group of developers that are building a huge housing development on the shore of the Presa. They have aroused some opposition from the community, but during a recent phone call I had with one of the principals, I got the sense that this group may be wanting to do an environmentally sensitive development. We decided that we would approach the developers from a positive point of view and attempt to subscribe their support of the work of Amigos.

I'm pleased to say that I had an excellent meeting with two of the principals who are truly attempting to create a development that is a cut above ... and, most important, they want to work with Amigos ... suggesting that they would like to see a boathouse, boat building facility, and docks. So, we are off to a good start.

Here are two of the principals on the day we did a site visit ... with the Presa in the background.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates. (I recently submitted a concept paper to them on how this whole thing could come together).

As usual, we had many great walks in the Botanical garden. One of our favorite things to do is to invite friends over for breakfast followed by a walk in the garden . Here we are on one such outing with Alan and Flora.

The Easter celebrations in San Miguel are among the most popular festivals (and there are many celebrations in SMA)! I couldn't begin to list the various 'festivals' - most very sacred - that the community celebrates as some are rather obscure and even particular to SMA. (There are some that call for fireworks ALL night! Others will have a procession in the middle of the night!) However, here are a few pictures with explanations under them that will give you a bit of a feel:

Some of you visiting this blog more than likely received Bev's letter, but if you didn't here it is:

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

March 15, 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

Writing you again from our glorious San Miguel, the place of beautiful vistas, sunshine and fresh breezes, succulent fruits and vegetables, gentle people and a very happy Bev and Mike. We are settling more and more into our house, furnishing it poco a poco with as many lovely bargains as we can find. Rustico is the style, and warm and colorful rustico it is. Golds, oranges reds, greens, yellows and blues are the predominant colors.

We’ve found some old weathered side tables at the Tuesday market, a huge food and flea market that astounds or assaults the senses depending upon your point of view. Mike is making friends with some of the vendors as he shows up regularly looking for “distressed” items. A few more comfortable chairs for bedrooms and outdoor spaces and we are pretty set. Our walls are now displaying works of art by Emily Noelle Lambert, Peter Lambert, Christina Sol, our neighbor, and Santiago Coral, a friend. It is a joy to be surrounded by such beauty and talent in works of art by those we know and love. Even when they are far away, we have a part of them with us.

Sue, Mike’s sister and her husband George have been with us this past week and it has been a comfortable and pleasant time. It is good to experience the house with various people as it is clear there is plenty of space of “alone time” and having people expands the joy of the place. Experiencing the flight of egrets each night and morning, hearing the church awaken us to the new day, watching the colorful hot air balloon pass over, gazing at the twinkling lights of the city and the stars overhead from our roof, all this and so much more is best shared with others. Sue and George have been troupers as we take them the long walk down the steep hill to town and all around, up at 6500 ft. and on cobblestones. At first they were leery, but now they navigate with ease.

Only showed Sue one shopping area. We still have much to explore.

Last night we went to watch Flamenco dance with a troupe of local dancers and musicians. Passionate, colorful, and robust with grace and energy, it was powerful.

A few nights ago we went to hear a jazz trio in the same small local venue of about 120 seats. They had a “francophone” week, so this group played works of Jango Reinhardt and the music of the 30’s in Paris, plus some tango music which they said actually started in France. Last night we went to a fine restaurant where our friend Adrienne is now the head chef, for an outstanding meal. After “having to leave the US of A” he and his darling wife Christie have landed not only on their feet here in SMA, but with bells on them. They have a precious almost one year old son, Temo, who enjoyed the dance concert and dinner with us, charming all with his smile and joyfulness throughout.

Amazingly or not, my health is greatly improved down here. Lots of great food, sunshine, dryness, rest, exercise, beauty, and good times must be the ingredients. Too bad can’t bottle the stuff and take it home with me. I am grateful for this time and opportunity to feel better. I recommend it to everyone.

Hope you all are well and enjoying the beginnings of the beautiful spring season.

We send our love and look forward to seeing you in April or soon after.

Bev and Mike

December 07/January 08 - A Winter Visit ... to paint the house!

To fully appreciate this winter trip to sunny Mexico, one needs to know what we left behind:
Crossing Creeks, West Virginia ... in the winter!!



On Christmas Day, Bev leaves Crossing Creeks and heads for home in Pittsburgh and an afternoon of work at the hospital. I head to Friendsville to spend the night at Mike and Aggie's Riverside Hotel and to prepare for our flight to Mexico. And thus begins our month-long separation ...

Mike in the hotel kitchen figuring the total weight of five people and luggage and how best to distribute it in the plane.

And, checking out the plane in its Cumberland, Maryland on the 26th. of December.
Our 'chariot' to our Mexican adventure:

1974 Piper Astec ...November Lima 100 November ... in excellent shape!

For some 11 great shots from the plane and all of us on board ... click here!

Landing at San Miguel de Allende International Airport, while a quiet concern of mine, seemed hardly a concern for our excellent pilots: Mike and Aggie. First, a flyover ...


... and upon sighting people ON the field ...

... and upon recognizing the shirt-waving people as none other than

Matt and Emily, Alan and Santiago ...


Mike took NL100L in for a perfect landing ...

Wheels down in San Miguel!


.... and Alan et al greeting us!


It was great to be welcomed by family and friends. Matt and Emily had only arrived by bus from Mexico City. Alan picked them up at the bus station and drove immediately to the air strip. They looked great!

And, Gracie, who is the most socialized 3 1/2 year older one could meet, wasted no time bonding with Emily!

To know Mike, is to know (yet another Mike) with ADD! As he asserted before leaving Maryland, "... I can't just sit around ... don't you have anything I can do while I'm there?"

Who could pass up such an offer? "Well, how about painting the outside of the house?"

"No problem" says Mike, "I love to paint!" So, not only did Mike put in a couple weeks painting, but he mastered the 'art' of mixing the colors (traditional paint in Mexico is 'cal' - a mixture of powdered pigment, calcium, water, and an adhesive) and leading the crew which variously included: Daniel and Marcos, Matt and Emily, me, Aggie and, yes, Gracie! Check out the ten shots of the paint job and painters!



Everyone worked hard, but we still had a lot of fun: daily hikes into town and the botanical garden, shopping for just about anything at Tuesday market (including the best fruits and veggies), eating out at restaurants, doing yoga, several visits to the hot springs, going to the always fun, "Family Feistas" at Alan and Flora's where you never know what to expect, visits from Emily and Matt's close friends from NYC (Emma, Poric, and Sophie), and a visit from an old friend from Pittsburgh (Alan Hunninen, daughter Kathryn, son-in-law Jose, and grand-daughter, Hannah). For a flavor, check these nine pictures out!


One of the REAL TREATS was to have taken one of Emily's fantastic paintings down on the plane, having it stretched, and hung is a special spot in the dinning room ... (no small painting at 60" x 86")!


See more of her work at: http://emilynoellelambert.net/splash.html

During the month, I did some work with Amigos de la Presa including having a couple meetings, attending a new citizen-based advococy group called, Va Por San Miguel, and most interesting, meeting Lourdes and Victor Garay who live in Queretaro (where they make toothbrushes - including for Oral B) and are building a vacation place on the Presa. Lourdes returned to rowing after taking a few days of sculling lessons at Craftsbury, Vt. and has helped to start a program on a small presa in Queretaro. Their land on the Presa in San Miguel is beautiful and their location is near a town that was flooded to build the Presa years ago. Check these pictures out including the top of the church steeple where Victor is sailing! (Four pictures - Click here!)

After a wonderful time, we left San Miguel and flew to the east coast visiting a fancy resort in Tampico on the Gulf of Mexico. Though it was technically 'off season', the resort was in high gear prep for the season. So, the 20 guests there (we were 5!) were treated like royalty at the 1000 guest resort! Another great trip to Mexico!


Sunrise in Tampico, Mexico!

Rainbow behind our house, over the botanical jardin

November 2007

Here is a link to some great photos -click here) (there are 65 pretty fantastic pictures) that Peter (Veilleux - my nephew) took while he was here in November. Peter came to help us plan and develop our front yard garden. Peter's knowledge and love of the local flora was truly mind-boggling. He assured that we used all native species in the yard. He also took a rather minimalist approach - removing almost all of the plants we had put in the garden because he felt it to be overcrowded- and we moved in three giant rocks and laha stone pavers. Check it out (click here)!


Once again, we found ourselves working on various of the unfinished parts of the house moving it ever closer to completion.

We had railings for the front terraces designed and built.




We very happily added a couple wonderful paintings to the dinning room and living room - both painted on tin by our talented and delightful neighbor, Christina Sol.


We were also the extremely appreciative beneficiaries of a gift from Alan and Flora: a painting by our good friend, Santiago Corral! And of course, some beautiful iron work by son, Peter!




Our month-long visit to San Miguel during the month of December was super enjoyable as always. Here is Bev gazing toward our house across the canyon during one of many hikes in the Botanical Garden!
And, of course, we had a little time to put a boat into the Presa Allende!


Here is a picture of the house!


Here is a fun shot that we (Santiago and I) took from an ultralite while flying over the house. You'll see the canyon and the Botanical Garden in the top of the photo. The house is on the cul-de-sac in the middle!


We hope you will want to visit us in beautiful San Miguel de Allende soon!