Jared’s parents came to visit us at the end of January, and I have been procrastinated blogging about our adventures! It is very overwhelming to even think about!
One of the main highlights on the trip was to San Miguel de Allende, about 5 hours away from Ajijic (where we live). San Miguel is very popular with expats, and has a very large Gringo population.
We arrived in the evening, and immediately set out on the city to see the beautiful chapel, the Parish of San Miguel, lit up at night. It has a neo-gothic facade, and is apparently one of the most photographed chapel in Mexico—for a very good reason!
My online research led us to the Hotel Posada de las Monjas to spend the night. It was affordable and comfortable, as well as a maze of a hotel! The attendant showed me several different rooms, and we winded in and out of hallways, and up and down staircases! One could easily get lost!
This hotel is a retired monastery (for nuns), and I could almost envision nuns walking around in their habits, finding peace and solitude within the walls of this hotel, although they were located in the middle of this busy city. The hotel front:
As with all buildings in Mexico…you never know what is lurking behind the wall or gate. We drove into an inner parking garage, and entered the sprawling grounds of the hotel:
The girls enjoyed all of those stairs…
The rooms from the top floor had unbelievable views of the city (particularly at night), but we settled for rooms close to the parking, so as not to require us dragging our suitcases up 5 or so staircases!
The city of San Miguel de Allende is best-known for its chapels of many colors and flavors.
The next day we went to quite a few of these chapels…
And found a local indoor market of Mexican crafts…
And food…
Every Mexican town (of any size) has a main plaza with a chapel. This is a view of the corner of the main plaza, with its well-trimmed trees, and bustling social center!
An American man offered to take a photo of us together, and after talking for just a minute or two…Jared’s Dad discovered that this stranger knew his uncle from Montana! It is such a small world!
Ethan had the best seat in the house…
Ella paused from her whining to fake a smile for us! (Or maybe it was the Grandma influence?!)
San Miguel de Allende is such a beautiful town–with a very colorful colonial style. It is mind-boggling to think that this town exists in the heart of Mexico–and yet is SO different from other cities we have visited!
We passed a cool house with a tunnel running through it…
And managed a smooch at the viewpoint of the city…
And caught the girls half-smiling, half-fighting…as usual!
I don’t have the energy to write all about the history of the town…and besides, I think a general photo tour is the better, anyways! If you want to know more, click here!
It was a great town to visit…but our heart remains in Ajijic. The other Gringos can have San Miguel de Allende…we’ll keep Lake Chapala!
I think the last pic with the half smile/fight pose is a riot! Loved all the pics – I'm sure it was beautiful to be there in person – glad you got to visit!
Beautiful-love all the colors!!
So beautiful!
So wouldn't the monastery actually be a “nunnery”? 🙂
Beautiful town. Can't wait to come and visit one of these days!
I love all the beautiful pots of flowers and the colors of the buildings. How safe were you guys?? I would love to travel there more but just get scared thinking of the ever-growing drug trafficing.
Hope you guys are doing well. Beautiful heading on the top of your blog – love how you did all those pictures. And Ethan is looking adorable.
An interesting and relevant piece! I enjoyed the personal detail. My new book on the expat experience, LIVING IN SAN MIGUEL: THE HEART OF THE MATTER, offers an intimate look at issues everyone thinking about settling in this historic town must consider. Health care, cost of living, crime, housing, and many others are answered with frankness and insight. Available in print, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, and iTunes formats. There’s a sample on my website.
http://www.sanmiguelallendebooks.com/livinginsanmiguel.html