Day 2: My First Full Day in San Miguel de Allende

11:30 pm

This morning I awoke to the sound of the bells from the approximately five churches within a five-block area. I didn't mind it this morning, though I woke up a little confused as to where I was, but the bells probably won't be such a fresh awakening if they happen at that particular volume every single morning...

Speaking of fresh awakenings, I have found the cure for the common shower. For those of you who have ever complained that I take too long in the shower, I set a new record this morning at 4 minutes flat; shampooed, conditioned, soaped, and shaved. This is because the water was FRIGGIN' FREEZING!!! Four minutes, count 'em, and shivering violently the whole time. Also we're back to the whole brushing-your-teeth-from-a-water-bottle thing, since I really don't want to do anything to upset ole' Señor Monteczuma...

We had a discussion with another American college professor, Arthur (or Arturo) this morning, about migration, which is more of what I'm interested in, so it was cool. Then we watched a video called The Future of Food, which talked about genetically engineered foods and their fate worldwide, as well as the way that the American government subsidizes their crops and makes them so much cheaper, even in other countries, who then buy, say, American corn rather than Mexican corn. The Mexican government has outlawed the growing of genetically altered corn, while the US welcomes it and has even supported huge corporations in patent lawsuits against small farmers. It's an odd world, one that I still don't quite understand. But Mexico used to have 2,000 different types of corn, and now it has 200. That's still far more than the USA, which has come to value uniformity, mass production, and high profits rather than diversity, as far as crops are concerned. This whole thing may not be that interesting to you, but it's fascinating to me, and it makes our roadside pit stop for roasted corn all that more meaningful. I already feel as if I've been here forever.

Well, I promised pictures, so here are a few. Unfortunately, the didn't all come out that well because they were taken at dusk or later, but I promise more, and better, pictures soon. Till then, here they are...

the front of Calzada de la Luz #42:

Centro Para La Justicia Global: The Center for Global Justice!

A little father down Calzada de la Luz

A typical street in San Miguel... narrow sidewalks and brightly colored buildings.

See what I mean about the narrow streets (and sidewalks)?

The famous "parroquia..." I'll be going to mass there on Sunday; wow!

Tonight we went to hear "the best music in the world!" at a restaurant called Pueblo Viejo with two chic older ladies who are expatriates and friends of the people at the Center for Global Justice: Jane and Nancy. Jane was such a character; dressed in a Cruella DeVille-esque black and white striped jacket with a black mink collar. The whole expatriate culture fascinates me; I swear, it's something straight out of Hemingway. The music was good, though maybe not the best in the whole world as Jane and Nancy insisted. The band was called Mayahuel, named after a Mexican Indian goddess, and the musicians were good friends with Jane, who seems to be something of a local celebrity. Also, I had a Spanish lesson at Pueblo Viejo; since the drinking age in Mexico is 18, I had a glass of red wine. But I asked for vino rojo, and the waiter told me that in Spanish, it's called vino tinto. However, when I had finished, a busboy came by to ask each of us if we wanted more vino rojo. I don't know if he was making fun of us, or if the other guy was just more cultured, more particular, or more concieted than the busboy. Any comments, all you hispanohablantes? I also have another question for all of you; would someone like to explain this sign to me?

It's a really bad quality picture, but it's a sign from Pueblo Viejo, next to a wagon, that says, "El que tenga vurros que los amarre y el que no... po's no" Any ideas?

Anyway, more pictures, and more news later. God bless you all in my absence!

Con cariño