There are abundant guidelines to enjoy a visit to San Miguel de Allende.

Among them: “Don’t walk and gawk.” Many people end up on their faces while looking to the left or right while walking. You might see that colorful dress in the window but what you miss is the sudden change in elevation of the sidewalk.

If you want to look, then stop, relax, take it all in before proceeding with your walk.

Besides, you’re in San Miguel de Allende, the magic city! What is your hurry?

One of my favorite guidelines is this: “If you hear the music, follow it.” Music never takes you to a bad place in San Miguel.

Quite the opposite.

It could be a parade, a religious procession, a wedding, a funeral, a street party, a strolling musician, an impromptu jam session, a bar band, a little kid practicing trumpet, an opera singer on a street corner, a colorful mariachi band.

You just never know.

But it will always be a moment to savor.

In San Miguel, as

Last night, after a delightful lecture at Belles Artes on the life and times of women’s rights champion Betty Friedan, I strolled up to the Jardin where mariachi bands were tag-teaming each other around the square.

Always a delight and it puts a smile on your face.

But then I heard something down Calle San Francisco that was a bit more intriguing — clarinets — two of them — and a bass drum along with the usual brass.

Of course, it was Aguascalientes, holding an impromptu dance party at the corner of Corregidora. Even a towering Frida Kahlo mojiganga was dancing up a storm. The street was filled with madly joyfully dancing couples.

And the crowd called the band back for an encore.

Some videos of Aguascalientes street party: