I attach some pics from the past couple days.

We are all beat up, it is Saturday morning, the sun is up, as it always is, the temperature is 70*, and rising, as it always does, and we are recovering from a trip yesterday to the ancient city of Teotihuacan and it's digs and pyramids. Pictures to follow, Still in the camera.

Our day started with a pick up at 7:00am, a 4 hour drive, box lunch (potatoe salad-scary--ate quickly while still cold.) The next 5 hours was spent walking in the sun, climbing pyramids, walking in the sun, crawling through cellars, walking in the sun, climb another pyramid, and then a 4 hour drive home---whew!

The drive home was treated with a massive thunder and lightening storm, which we have had the past 4 nights--the change in temperature around 8:00pm creates this phenomina(sp)..

Anyway, off to the Jardin to get the 11:00am Herald and see what is going on in reality.

Looking forward to being part of a big protest march Monday against the American treatment of Immigrants--have to decide which side I'm on so as to carry the right sign.

Adios

PS--Gordon Young just told me the Blue Jays beat the Yankees last night.

WHY? with all the technology and administrative skills we think we have in Canada and the USA does our bus system pale in comparison to services in other parts of the world. When in a 'foreign' country I love to travel by the people sytems, both out of interest in being 'with' the people and being 'cheap.'

After England and Italy, and now Mexico, a supposed third world country, our bus system is embarrassed--I expected their First Class to be okay, but even the 'chicken busses do the job---they move people, and at a 'people's' price.

Ah, it took me 10 days to finally do a rant and it feels good.

After a full day in Queretero yesterday it was a day of rest in San Miguel, sit around the Jardin, have lunch in a little cafe, and enjoyed a siesta.

Tomorrow is a full day as we head off into the wilderness, a 3 1/2 hour drive, to Teotihuacan, a world recognized ruins, one of it's pyramid the 2nd largest in the world. Can hardly wait to go to the top.

Will not be on line before mid-day Saturday-Adios

I am such a snob about American Culture and would never enter a U.S. franchise when abroad. Yesterday I got my comeupance! We were in Querataro (sp?) and I ordered a Quesidella Especial. Halfway into it my lips and gullet were a thousand points of fire! The Especial must have been xxx chilli. I grabbed money from Bruce, flung myself out of the restaurant, across the plazza and into the arms of my savior - Mr. Baskins-Robins! It was a 2 scoop alarm. Thank you America!

Another funny thing in Queratro was buying a silver necklace. I verified it was sterling & got it home only to discover it was made in Italy. Moral of these stories: never assume you know what you're doing! --N

Hola:
It is early Wednesday evening and we have just returned from a day trip to neighbouring town (700,000 people) of Queretaro. I dropped off at the Internet Cafe to check emails and Nancy is home in the shower.

Todays pictures are still in the camera, Nancy will forward some tommorrow with her write up (I have been warned not to say anything about today)

I attach 3 pictures from our days at the Jardin (hardeen) in SMA where we spend many of our morning and evening hours. I love the look on Nancy's face as she reluctantly awaits her ice cream from the 'depths' of one of the buckets.

Also our special buddy, the paper guy, who is so tired of the Gringos asking about the Herald (English paper) that he has a big cardboard sign.

One neat side comment, we rode the chicken bus today, and what did we see, a woman get on board with 3 chickens---toooooo funny.

Time to head to the Jardin to see what entertainment there would be tonight.

Adios

Our first week in San Miguel de Allende is done--we have walked most of it's Cento side streets, driven on the Class II busses(no chickens), sat most parks/plazzas/jardins, lunched at various levels of eateries, stocked up at the open markets, and basically can be considered 'make believe' expatriots.

Tommorow we are heading out to Queretaro and Friday to the Teotihuacan archaeological site, travelling first class, and next week a 4 day trip to Morelia, Patzcuaro, and possibly Guanajuato--on the chicken busses.

The city architecture has been great, the food great to interesting, the pace non existent, and the people fantastic.

They are so friendly, happy, and family oriented. The evenings in the Jardin, and other plazzas, reminded me of Italy last year--all the family out together, just enjoying. The kids are, in general, smiling all the time. I know there are areas, farther away from Centro, where there is more poverty, but I still get the feeling that family is important in this culture. As Nancy noted awhile back, even the beggars do it in a quiet and non-aggressive way, and there are lots of these 'entreprenours.'

We walk home from Le Jardin after dark every night, choosing any side alley we wish, and feel no concern(s).

Love seeing your comments--and really enjoy your 'personal' emails where you can 'really' say what you mean, eh!

Adios

B & N

OK no more posting about the price of food except to say we did not eat at this restaurant and my fav meal so far is Chiles en Nogado and Pete's Frootique is going to be my new best friend when we get back. We're off to catch the local bus to go to Gigante; mama's gotta shop & daddy's gotta photo. Adios. N.

Sunday morning and sitting in the square trying to decide on 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, etc Mass--not only will I be in the partially 'foreign' R.C. environment, I can only assume everything will be in Spanish.

Made a big move yesterday, went ot the BIG open market and bought loose carrots, peppers, onions, potatoes, etc. and 2 big steaks (approximate 70 pesos-$7.00usa) to cook supper--also verified my supply of Immodium.

Meals have been tremendous, from over the counter tortillas, to hole in the wall restaurants, to one pretty nice one--trying to eat all Mexican and doing a pretty good job.

I found a Buffet yesterday but will have to work on my nerve before partaking. All you can eat for 65 pesos.

I have yet to find local Frenchie's but I know my clothes budget would be minimal. Take your T shirt and high tech undies off when you go to bed, sink wash, hang and put back on in the morning--have I mentioned 25% humidity, sort of goes along with the 85*F and sun--actually had big thuner showers last two nights.

Dios for now.