photography, Rants and raves, San Miguel de Allende, Writings

The three stages of the 2024 USA Election

  1. Oh my god! How can half the people think this guy is good for the country? … Lies! Lies! Lies! … Did you hear what he just called Kamala Harris?!?

2. He’s still in the race? How can half the people still think this guy is good for the country. … Lies! Lies! Lies! … Did you hear what he just called Kamala Harris?!? I think I’m going to be sick …

3. And the last voting booths are closing in 5 … 4 … 3 …

So sorry. It was either do this or go out of my freaking head.

Since ALL of my friends are supporters of democracy, decency, and Kamala Harris, I wish you a very happy Election Day.

PS: If you can think of some different captions, post them in the comments section below! Thanks for playing along in 2024!

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Rants and raves, San Miguel de Allende, Writings

The ‘chicken soup’ discovery that has saved 50 million lives

The simplicity of it all is both beautiful and mind-boggling.

Dr. Richard Cash

A little salt, some sugar, and some clean water.

Two American doctors came up with this formula in 1967 in what is today called Bangladesh and – over the objections of other doctors and health officials – began infusing patients suffering from dysentery, cholera, and other diarrhea-related diseases.

At the time, a major outbreak of cholera was plaguing the capital of Dhaka. Worldwide at that time, some five million children a year were dying from cholera and dysentery, according to the New York Times.

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photography, San Miguel de Allende

Around the Dia de Muertos parade in 90 pictures

OK, I can sit here all night and write about the beautiful Catrinas and Catrins. About the amazing make-up jobs and costumes. About how people came from all over the world just to parade from Calle Cordo to the Ancha to the Jardin in Centro.

Did I mention this is San Miguel de Allende, the most magical city in the world?

No, I didn’t. And I won’t go on because this is one time, my friends, when pictures speak way louder than words.

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photography, San Miguel de Allende

Just another Friday in San Miguel de Allende? Far from it (Updated with Saturday morning walkabout pics)

The Day of the Dead has begun, in the most beautiful ways imaginable.

This morning dozens of people, young and old, arrived at the Jardin Principal to build large public oftendas, the altars that pay tribute to family, friends, classmates, motorcycle and Rotary club members — our loved ones who have passed away.

It is a beautiful and heartwarming thing to watch.

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Rants and raves, San Miguel de Allende

Welcome to Dia de Muertos: Any ofrenda mine is an ofrenda yours

The family ofrenda, created by Rose Alcantara.

Tonight in the public park (The Jardine) there will be scores of kids in costume, each carrying a satchel or plastic pumpkin. Arrayed around the park will be ex-pats with bags full of candy.

The twain shall meet.

Halloween is becoming bigger every year, much to the consternation of the grumpiest among us. Perhaps rightly so, there is some concern that the holiday will dilute Mexico’s own customs.

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Reviews, San Miguel de Allende

From Squash to Storytelling: Ivy Pochoda’s Journey

Author Ivy Pochoda with an admirer at the Art of the Story conference.

The bifurcated psyche of a world-class athlete who grew up in a literary household.

Now, that has all the makings of a great novel.

Not coincidentally, these are the circumstances that led world-class athlete Ivy Pochoda to become an excellent novelist, with six titles and counting. But getting those two lives – high-powered athlete and high-powered novelist – working together, well that was the topic of a most entertaining talk by Pochoda on Tuesday as the inaugural headliner of the Art of the Story conference.

Pochoda’s life story fits in quite well with the overall theme of San Miguel de Allende’s newest literary festival. That is – if I may interpolate from the list of fascinating workshops and events scheduled – inspiration is all around us, if you know how to look for it.

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photography, San Miguel de Allende

Living it up for the Day of the Dead

The Catrina face-painting tag team, Efrain Gonzalez and Laura Cerroblanco, launched their season with a party on Friday at Restaurante Lolita at Salida a Celaya #52.

It was a chance to learn a little about Dia de Los Muertos, watch the dynamic duo paint some faces, hear some fine music from Gabriela Espinosa and Sharon Itoi, enjoy a dinner prepared by Chef Fernando Guarneros, and reconnect with some old friends and make some new ones.

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photography, San Miguel de Allende

The face is familiar ….

We love our mojigangas.

The tall, human-fueled street puppets have been around San Miguel de Allende since 1924. They are of as many varieties as there is of life.

They can be comic, satirical, political, nuptial, magical, tragic, whimsical, mystical, surreal, fantastical, scary, devilish, angelic, familiar, historical, sexy, skeletal, ethnic, gypsies, tramps and thieves, and even, ordinary.

Like those images above from a recent parade in San Miguel.

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photography, San Miguel de Allende

Skull sessions

The door frames of San Miguel de Allende grow oranger and more elaborate by the day, like this one on Hernandez Macias.

It is that time of year. The skeletons in our closets find their way to the streets of San Miguel de Allende.

Not those skeletons.

These are more literal.

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photography, San Miguel de Allende, Writings

Revelling in those wide open spaces

We once lived in a house that had a 360-degree view of San Miguel de Allende from the rooftop.

We still live in the house but the view is mostly gone.

In its place is a three-story condo project that wraps around the two sides facing Centro, the Parroquia, and the sunrise. It would be oppressive were it not for the chiffon yellow paint job. Chiffon yellow tends to soothe.

At any rate, this picture is not about that.

This picture was taken many blocks away on the top floor of the Posada de Las Monjas hotel on Calle Canal. Twice a week I climb the Escher–like staircases to the top to take Pilates. The walk to the studio is almost as grueling as the class. But obviously worth it.

And I’m not just saying that because the instructor is my wife, Rose Alcantara.

This is the view from the studio.

On Monday , we were expecting a late-season shower. The clouds to the West looked promising. They apparently had business elsewhere. All we got were sprinkles.

And a spectacular view.

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