October 22, 2021 - October 25, 2021

As of Friday we have been in San Miguel for an entire week.  I must confess that I do not feel at all competent in using Spanish, but I do continue to try.  Most people are very understanding and helpful, but I’m sure it is as frustrating for them as it is for me when there is a total lack of communication. Basically, we did our errands on Friday.  We found a locksmith to copy our house keys and found two great markets very close to our apartment. We didn’t need to purchase much, but it is good to know where we can get all of the basics closer to home then the Mercado Ignazio Rameriz or La Comer supermarket. 

A house we passed on our walk
has a beautifully decorated doorway.

I passed this interesting sculpture on my walk.

And another sculpture using the
same techniques was close by.

That afternoon I registered for a two week course of Spanish language lessons. I’ll start on November 1st.  The lessons include two hours of instruction each day and a 1.5 hour cultural tour of San Miguel on Monday and a Music session on Wednesday.  I am very much looking forward to my class.

I also researched the celebration of Dia de los Muertos in San Miguel.  Apparently when a large number of expats moved to San Miguel they began to celebrate Halloween and in an effort to preserve the Spanish culture in the area the city began to promote the celebration of Dia de los Muertos.  It has become a great festival here lasting three days. The belief is that on November 1st the souls of the younger dead relatives return to earth to visit their family and on November 2nd the older souls of the dead do the same. So the days are not a celebration of death, as some believe, but a celebration of family and respect for lost loved ones.  We are looking forward to the experience.

Saturday morning was cool and by the time I ventured out at 10:00am it was only 56 but the high is expected to be 79 by the afternoon.  I do enjoy this climate. I walked mostly for exercise, but I also took some photos and purchased a few necessities.

It is difficult to pass the Perroquia
and not take a photo.
It is just so impressive.

The decorations for Dia de los Muertos
are already being displayed.

 

Legend has it that marigolds attract the 
spirits of the dead and they are 
always included in decorations.

Costumed and made up ladies are called catrinas.
This is a model of one. Notice the marigolds.

In San Miguel charming small cafes like this one
 are plentiful. This one's door opens right
on the narrow sidewalk.

At 11:00 am the football game between Penn State and Illinois kicked off.  At half time Penn State was leading 10 - 7.  But, unfortunately, after nine overtimes Penn State lost 16-18.  Bob was very disappointed. 

After breakfast on Sunday I continued my habit of taking a long walk for exercise.  Mid morning here is perfect for walking.  Although I can’t walk at my usual fast pace because of the cobblestone roads and narrow sidewalks it is revitalizing.  Today I didn’t even need my maps app to find my way home so I feel like I am getting acquainted with our immediate neighborhood.  Today, I located the brick oven pizza cafe and an additional bodega. 

A recent photo of my granddaughter Claire:

Apparently she is happy with her hat on,
but her mom told me she really
doesn't like them.

and my grandson Acen:

He is a jujitsu champion.
Can't wait to see his trophies.

Acen being silly with his mom when
she visited him at school for lunch.

Monday was our first rainy day here. Believe me our car needed to have the dust washed off.  We ventured to the La Comer area.  Our plan was to have lunch at a nearby restaurant but after driving in circles for awhile we decided to head to La Comer Supermarket and have lunch at their cafe. Our lunch consisted of Hamburgers and water which cost less than five dollars.  The hamburgers were not great, but it kept us from being hangry while we were shopping.  We took our time walking up and down the aisles looking for specific items, but also just looking at what was available. We purchased several household items which our kitchen lacks as well as resupplying our groceries.  As before shopping and carrying everything to our apartment and putting it all away was exhausting.  Are we getting old or is shopping in a foreign country just exhausting?

Thank you for reading my blog.