Sam and Bob: September 2011

WOW...this has been one busy long, long weekend starting on Wednesday evening with the Feed the Hungry fundraiser. See prior blog posting.

Then on Thursday, we went to visit the school where we teach English in the campo...Los Ricos de Abajo. Sam wanted to sit in on the weekly English class that the teacher, Aurelia, teaches. This is the first time that the 5th/6th grade class is having weekly lessons. Aurelia had a computer program that she is using provided by the government; however, she has no teaching manual or workbooks for the children. The children were very enthusiastic and all of the students participated. Sam is going to see if we can purchase a teaching manual and a workbook.

While we were at the school, we also saw the new comedor (this is where the children eat their lunch). Prior to having the comedor, the children ate outside in the elements. Bob worked very hard last year and earlier this year to help have this comedor built. Also during this process, the bodega was built to house all of the miscellaneous garden tools, old desks, etc.

On Thursday evening we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Cafe Firenze. Antonio and Chef Gerardo are good friends of ours. That night we listened to "El Grito" and watched the fireworks.

On Friday, we skipped the parade but got a few photos.

We decided do some shopping. Stopping at the hummingbird store, Camino Silvestre, we met one of the owners, Alfredo. We are looking for two lamps for our guest bedroom. Sam brought a fabric sample of the bedspread to see if we could find something that would match. Alfredo had a few items and spent a lot of time with us. He is going to inquire with a couple of his vendors. It was a very pleasant experience.

A few days prior, we purchased a small ceiling light for our hallway by the kitchen. The people were so nice we decided to go back and we purchased two sconces and a light for over our dining room table. We were a little hesitant about the light for the dining room. The lady told us if we didn't like it when we got home we could return it. That is not the norm here in Mexico. We paid for the items in cash, and asked if they would hold on to them for us as we had other shopping to do. She said, "No problem". Off we went without even a receipt. That's just how it is here.

We continued our walk to the jardin. It was one busy place with everyone in town for the big festivities. Many Mexicans were here from all over the country, especially Mexico City. We headed to the Mercado. We stopped and had an empanada for lunch. It was so good. The pastry was very tender and flakey. Just as we finished, a parade began. It was the "Pepsi Parade". This was unusual for us because we don't see a lot of Pepsi being sold. Coke seems to have a lock on the market.

At the Mercado, Sam purchased some flowers. She bought a dozen carnations with greenery and baby's breath for 30 pesos or about $2.50. Next stop was buying some fresh cut-up fruit. We always buy it from the same lady. We got an over flowing liter container of melon, papaya, and mango for 15 pesos or about $1.20. We love this country!!

On our way back, we stopped at Baile Cafe to see our good friends, Juan Carlos and Rebeca. We wanted to make a reservation for dinner because we wanted to be able to get some pictures of the Reenactment of the Insurgents at 6:00 p.m. The horses and countrymen would be passing right in front of the restaurant. With that being done, we stopped back to the store and picked up our light fixtures. By this time (four hours since we left the house), were were tired and in need of a siesta. However, there wasn't much time for napping if we wanted to watch the reenactment.

Shortly after we went down for our siesta, it started to rain and rain and rain. It let up for a moment and then it rained, and rained, and well you get the idea. We still wanted to go. So we grabbed our umbrellas and camera. No way would there be a cab. We would just have to be real San Miguelians. We stepped out our front door and couldn't believe the rain water rushing down the street. We got to the main street and people were drenched. Many of the people in town for the festivities were not prepared for such a down pour. The further we walked the worse it got. Trying to cross flooded streets was not easy. What were we thinking? As we got to intersection of Zacateros and Canal the water was gushing down Canal. We walked to the next intersection at Hernandez Macias and it wasn't any better. Well we thought if we walk up to the jardin, we would be able to cross over and get to the other side of Canal. Fat chance. It was worse. The rain was pouring down the steps. What an amazing scene.

It was raining so hard that rain was coming through our soaked umbrellas. So, back down Canal to the intersection of Hernandez Macias. We stopped. Sam looked at the rushing water. She rolled up her jeans, took off her shoes and socks, and crossed the calle. Bob decided to make a few hops, jumps, and skips. He ended up with his tennis shoes totally soaked. We walked into Baile Cafe looking like drowned rats.

The place was packed. As soon as it started to rain, all of the people ran for cover. Of course, our good friend, Juan Carlos, knew we were coming so he saved us a special table. We tried our best to make ourselves presentable. Sam put her socks on...her shoes were still wet.

We enjoyed a margarita. 6:00 came and went. We didn't think the reenactment was going to happen. Well, it was just after 6:30 p.m., and we heard the hoofs of the horses. Rain was not going to stop them. Bob grabbed the camera and went to take some pictures. Sam played it safe as she was shoeless and went to the upper level watching from the balcony.

We enjoyed a nice dinner. Baile Cafe had a great band that night...Vudu Chile, a Blue, Funk, and Rock band. They were a really great dance band. We saw several of our friends, Gail and Warren, Nonnie and Ed and Eric. Nonnie and Ed really tore up the floor.

Saturday was another busy day; however, it wasn't an early morning. We walked a few errards. We put up our sconces and enjoyed the afternoon. We didn't want to venture too far from home so we decided to have dinner at our favorite restaurant, Cafe Firenze. We had soft shell crab as an appetizer.

Bob had 1/2 of a rock cornish hen in a wonderful pipian pumpkin seed and tomatillo sauce, and Sam had short ribs with a wonderful mole sauce. For dessert we had a delightful margarita mousse pie.

We rolled home.

All weekend long, the crowds seem to be pretty calm. Well, the last night was full of activity. Bob wore his earplugs while Sam went without. Sam heard the party die hards all throughout the night. But as she says, this is part of the charm of San Miguel.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we took a walk to Parque Juerez. It is only about 10 minutes from our home. It is a wonderful park to take a nice strool. On Sundays, several artist have their work on display. Last winter, we became friends with Sergio and Patti. We had not seen them since we returned the first of August. It was nice to see them today. We were talking with them and admiring Sergio's work. A couple with two dogs came by and within minutes, purchased five pieces of art. A couple of the pieces Sam had been wanting to purchase. Oh well, our loss and their gain. We spoke with them. They were visiting for the weekend from Mexico City. They were staying with 13 other family members at the Rosewood Hotel. The most upscale hotel in San Miguel. We know Sergio's paintings will have a very nice home.

We went to our favorite meat market (where we bought the lamb) and purchased a long piece of Italian sausage and two thick pork chops. We stopped to the vegetable market and back home (of course after a stop to see a local restaurant, Mezzanine...Bistro by Bobo...that will be on our hit list).

Just finished a wonderful dinner, pasta with tomato sauce, mushrooms, garlic, onion, red and yellow bell pepper, and asparagus, fresh salad, Italian sausage and pork chops and a couple glasses of wine.

WOW...what a long, long weekend.

Now for some American football!!

That's all for now from San Miguel...Sam signing off.

On Tuesday, September 13th, around 8:30 a.m., we heard some noise on our side street, Privada Grillo. All we could hear were feet hitting the pavement. We looked out the window and saw a lot of school children marching. The teachers were giving directions and the students were following their commands.

On Wednesday morning, the same thing happend. This time Bob grabbed the camera and took a few pictures. This morning, Sam was disappointed that she didn't hear the children at 8:30 a.m. Just as she was mentioning this around 9:00 a.m., we heard the sounds of drums and horns. We looked out the window and the children were marching. Two girls were carrying the school banner, some students were playing the drums and horns, and the others were marching. Today they looked much more serious and more organized. Sam did a quick count and figured there were about 120 students.