San Miguel Part 2

I'm on day 2 of a nasty cold and still not caught up with e-mails. But for some reason I can post to my blog no matter how crummy I feel. Just don't ask me to talk; my voice is gone.

We probably walked 5 miles every day we were in San Miguel. If you've been there you'll be impressed to hear that I walked all the way home from the Botanical Garden on the hill in blazing sunshine and heat. It felt wonderful.

Of course an army cannot march on an empty stomach. Pictured above is a chili relleno, rice and guacamole.

Sangria for the thirst. In that heat there was much thirst.

This is Perfecta, the grandmother of some of the children from Pozos I've been showing you. She is a kind woman and very affectionate.

She cares for the children while their parents work a series of jobs.

These pictures remind me so much of growing up in Arizona. The clothes we wore to stay cool and the suntans we had year around.

Also the dusty, dry climate. We didn't know that of course. It was the only climate we knew.

I love these faces. Children are so new to life, inexperienced and hopeful. I only pray the parents can do everything possible to honor that hope and protect that innocence.

The citrus was blooming on Pepe's patio. A voluptuous fragrance that takes me back to the desert.

Gazpacho and quesadillas at the Botanical Garden up on the hill. Agua de Jamaica (hibiscus flower iced tea) to drink.

The long view over the lake. It was so hot that day - nearly 90 degrees.

Flowering cactus. So many in bloom this time of year.

Huevos Divorciados. Fried eggs over corn tortillas with red and green chili sauce for breakfast. Black beans, chips and cafe leche. Oh, yeah.

One day Memo took us up in the mountains to Santa Rosa where they make the best Mezcal flavored with citrus. It was very forested and beautiful there; several hours away from San Miguel.

Here I am at the "boys only" cantina hoisting a mid-day mezcal. Some of these cantinas have a trough at the base of the bar where the men stand and pee. Serious. This cantina had a cubicle by the front door with a toilet I didn't explore. My compadres and the time of day provided me with an unusual experience for a woman; I wouldn't do this at night.

Here are John and Memo exiting the cantina. It was a tiny place and I loved being able to see it. Very exotic.

Memo is a brilliant tin and metal worker who made the mirror in the shot above. He lives in San Miguel and will make you a mirror too I bet.

Judita and Ricardo at Patsy's place, drinking Margaritas and being happy. (I've known Ricardo since the 8th grade. We are friends for life.)

Now for the photos of Patsy's place. These that follow were taken in her main house.

Her red kitchen.

With the awesome stove that cooks all the dishes at once.

The door leading out to the patio.

The patio, looking in another direction.

The angel door knocker on the side door.

A big paper mache object that I fell in love with. The bright colors make me feel so happy.

A paper mache chicken on the kitchen table.

A grass and straw chicken. Soooo clever!!

The doll with a pretty face. There is something so gentle in her expression.

This is a Mexican folk craft that I saw several times. What they do is take a photograph and glue it onto a carved wooden frame so that the photo is 3-D. One I saw in a private home was carved out of a single piece of wood. This was a popular art form in the '40's.

Tender blossoms at the Botanical Garden. Love the subtle colors.

If you look closely you'll note that the boxers are made out of stones that have been glued together. Another one of Patsy's treasures that you can see at her house.

This is a typical enchilada plate. Four enchiladas, a chicken leg and thigh, potatoes and salad. Of course that comes with guacamole, chips and dessert. Not that I put on any weight. Not me. ;-)

Beautiful old dolls at the home of a wonderful collector there. This man's house was like a museum of the odd and fabulous. I hardly scratched the surface.

A hand made hinge that caught my eye. When you have time and simple materials there is a strong desire to make things beautiful.

I'll close this post with another object from the collector's stash. He had a number of these Memory Jugs that he explained were first made by slaves out of the bits they could collect and make into something beautiful. Of course it would appeal to me on so many levels; I brought back pottery shards and treasures that I'm considering making into my own Memory Jugs.

Well, my head is throbbing so I think I'll go lay down and rest some more. It helps me to revisit my photographs and share them with you. And I'm sure to be better in no time. Abrazos y besos.