February15, 2023

We flew to Leon on the Volaris red eye out of LA on February 5.  Got to Nate’s house around 7am and went to bed.  The shuttle drive to San Miguel from the airport takes about an hour and a half.  I fell asleep, but was dimly aware of lots of speed bumps along the route.  At one point I opened my eyes just in time to see two hot air balloons being filled over to the left.  It was just breaking dawn and the shape of the balloon, half upright, lit by the fire inside it and the sunrise silhouetting it from behind was breathtaking and very red.  The whooshing sound of the gas as it filled the balloon had caught my attention as we drove by.

It is wonderful to be with Nate.  I’ve missed him so much.  He has repainted rooms in his house and added new furniture and a new fridge.  His new rooftop patio is a great addition.  The 360 degree view of San Miguel from there is spectacular.

At last we have found the mild temperatures I have been craving.  I can sit on the rooftop and soak up the heat at midday, or sit in the garden patio if I want shade.  At night, it is cold enough to appreciate the duvet on the bed.  The glass wall in the bedroom gives a beautiful view of city lights down the hill in the near distance.

Dave and I walked down the steep stairway near the house to Benito Juarez Park last Sunday.  The Candelaria was happening there—a huge collection of plant vendors, food stands, and indigenous music performances.  One music group used a flute or whistle that sounded like the call of a jaguar—a bit unnerving, but very interesting.  We went on to the downtown area surrounding the Jardín and the Parroquia.  Tons of people around since it was the weekend.  Sat in the Jardin for a while and people-watched.  Found the butcher shop we had been to before and got some steaks and pork chunks for cooking.  A couple from Manhattan flagged us down and inquired where Dave had gotten the Panama hat he was wearing.  They were hoping to purchase one like it there in town.  It was a hat borrowed from Nate, though, so even though it was probably purchased locally, we couldn’t tell them where.  I bought a lovely hand sewn and embroidered blouse at a small shop, then we huffed and puffed our way back up the steep stairs to Nate’s house.  A 17-member mariachi band was playing at a tiny park on the way up.  We rested a few minutes there,  One of the songs they played was “Orange-Blossom Special” (a classic bluegrass tune) done with a Spanish flair!  Bought a couple of coca-colas at a tienda at the top of the stairs to revive us.  It was a great walking adventure.