Talavera Pottery    March 2010

A display of colorful and blue ceramic pottery on a glass table.

Instituto Allende is probably the most famous center for Arts Education in SMA. It was begun by a Peruvian artist in the late ‘30’s. It really expanded after WWII when GI’s discovered that they could come down here under the GI Bill and get a BFA degree while spending $5.00/month for rent. That influx of…

Read More

Snow in Mexico   January 2011

Children gathered around a person dressed as Santa Claus by a car outdoors.

We went out on Saturday to visit a little town about 35 miles away to check it out for a Valentine’s overnight. It was about 44 degrees at 11:00 when we left, but the sky was a gorgeous blue with lots of sun. As we drove out of town we noticed that all the surrounding…

Read More

El Señor de la Conquista Festival

Group in colorful traditional Aztec attire performing outdoors.

San Miguel De Allende Just one more reason to visit San Miquel. Every year in early March more than 100 dancers (called concheros) gather in EL Jardin– the main square in town.  These groups represent various Catholic parishes around SMA and towns as far away as 100 miles. Dressed in Pre Hispanic Indian costumes, they…

Read More

Easter in San Miguel   March 2013

A person in a traditional costume riding a decorated donkey at a cultural event.

Sure it’s a little early to begin Easter Week. Does anyone complain about St. Patrick’s Month? First Lent. It is a big deal in this predominately Catholic country. Every Friday is meatless. San Miguel restaurants boast a plethora of delicious Lenten recipes that are drawn from past generations: eg. cream of corn and poblano chile…

Read More

Mont St. Michel or St. Michael’s Mount?

A castle atop a hill with rocky shore in the foreground.

April 2014 Way back in 1960 I traveled with a group of American and French kids through France on bicycles.  We biked through Brittany, Normandy, the Loire Valley and Provence.  In Normandy we biked to and climbed up Mont St. Michel.  I remember approaching the Mont.  It seemed to take forever to cross the sands…

Read More

The Cornish Coast  – April 2014

Small boats anchored near a rocky seaside village under a clear blue sky.

Any “Doc Martin” fans out there?  No, not the boots; the television series on PBS.  Since we were down in Cornwall, we decided we must visit the scene of one of our favorite shows.  You’ll remember that we’re doing a house-swap with friends Bea and David.  We’re loving their house, their neighbors and exploring the…

Read More

Spain Vs Barcelona

Historic buildings under a clear blue sky in an urban setting.

Travels with Anzie – Spain 2018 March, 2018 Madrid v. Barcelona, the Independence Movement – Gaudi and Other Architectural Marvels – Birthday Treatment in Madrid – Bullfighting Today — Cruising the Tapas Scene in Barcelona – Beach Towns North of Barcelona Nightmare Journey:  We drove for eleven hours to Madrid.  It’s normally a seven hour…

Read More