My view of San Miguel de Allende - by Sparky

Early morning San Miquel de Allende

Hi, this is Sparky. My hooman, whom I call Servant, said it is my turn to write the blog. 

We recently moved from Isla Mujeres on the eastern coast of Mexico to San Miguel de Allende, located in the mountainous region north of Mexico City. We left the hot sunny beaches for a cooler climate. I was born with an enlarged heart, and the heat bothers me. Here I can walk for an hour and not get tired. 

Rooftop terraza at our hotel 

After a week in a funny hotel with lots of skinny spiral stairs to climb, we are now in our own little place. It has a sunny rooftop deck and an enclosed garden - they are my favourite places to hang out. My only complaint with our new place is that the windows aren't designed for doggies to look out at the street. Everything is people's height. Even the patio wall upstairs is too high for me to see over. 

Different horses, police troop

Last night, three big brown horses carrying police officers came by our house. I had to get Servant to pick me up so that I could see them. Because she was holding me in her arms Servant couldn't take a photo of the horses, so you will just have to take my word for it.

Yesterday I saw a super-fast little bird in the garden. It was a bright green colour and had a long, skinny beak that looked dangerously sharp. I'm going to stay a long way away from that guy. Servant said he was a hummingbird. Funny, I didn't hear him humming, but he did chirp at me a few times.

Reading the local pee-mail

When we walk the streets in San Miguel, Servant thinks I am on the trail of suspects, criminals, and murderers, but really I am reading the pee-mail left by other doggies. 

I like it here, but I am still getting accustomed to walking on busy sidewalks. At times, my hooman gets a bit testy with me, yelling, "Sparky, watch where you are going!" 

It's not my fault that the sidewalks are crowded with hundreds of pairs of feet. Those people should watch where they are going! I'm a busy detective dog.

My favourite Ojo de Agua, 2 blocks from home

In our neighbourhood, we have discovered four restaurants that allow well-behaved doggies to come inside. 

It's a nice treat for me to lie on a sunny patio while Servant has her morning coffee, or sometimes we stop in for a glass of wine in the evening. Well, she has a glass of wine, and I have a drink of water.

Well, that's all for this time. Woof! Woof! Sparky.

Protein bowl and a latte at the Ojo de Agua

~

Read all about me in the Isla Mujeres Mystery series, 

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Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

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Why San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende at sunrise 

Why did you choose San Miguel de Allende? 

That one question keeps coming up on my social media posts, over and over again. After skimming the last few blog posts, I realized I hadn't fully explained my reasons. So, here's the Cole's Notes version:

#1, my fascination with history 
When Lawrie and I, plus his sister and brother-in-law, drove from BC, Canada, to Isla Mujeres in 2008, one of our stops was San Miguel. We arrived on October 31st and stayed until November 2nd. We were in the city during the Day of the Dead, Día de Los Muertos, celebrations. I was hooked, and I always wanted to return to fully explore the city.

That beautiful Caribbean Sea

#2, change is good
Lawrie and I were restless people, always looking for the next adventure. We had several discussions, while enjoying our evening glass of wine, about where we would like to live if we ever tired of looking at the Caribbean Sea. He was reluctant to leave the warm temperatures and our view of turquoise water. He insisted he never wanted to be cold again, so we stayed and enjoyed our lives on Isla Mujeres.

San Miguel de Allende in December 

#3, a temperate climate
We loved the warmth of the Caribbean area of Mexico, but neither one of us was a worshipper. We rarely ventured to the beach, preferring instead to hang out in the shade of our palapa, or refresh ourselves in our own pool. One of our cheeky friends suggested that we didn't even know how to find Playa Norte. I flapped a hand in the general direction of the north end of the island and replied, "It's over there, somewhere."

Summers on Isla Mujeres can be very hot and humid. Not as hot as some parts of Mexico or the southern USA, but occasionally uncomfortable. We rarely used our air conditioning except to sleep at night during July, August, and September. We had adjusted quite well to the climate until recently. As I get older, the heat affects me more. Showering and changing my clothes three times a day became a nuisance. 

Image from San Miguel Writers' Conference

#4, a flourishing community of writers and artists
I started writing and self-publishing books in 2014. The first was a bilingual book for children, The Adventures of Thomas the Cat - Las Aventuras de Tomás el Gato, in partnership with islander Diego Medina. Then in 2016, I self-published my first novel, Treasure Isla. I have published four more novels in the Isla Mujeres Mystery Series, and Diego and I are working on completing the second bilingual children's book. I am hopeful that my new community will help improve my writing skills.


#5, San Miguel has only a few memories associated with Lawrie and me as a couple.
I was being crushed by the powerful memories of a romantic and joyful life. He was on every street corner and in every restaurant of Isla Mujeres. He shared my morning coffee, my afternoon meal, and my evening glass of wine. 

He is still with me and always will be, but I can walk the streets of San Miguel without living in the past, our past. 

I am looking forward to this next chapter of my life.

Cheers from San Miguel de Allende
Lynda, and my furry sidekick, Sparky

~

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

Grab your copy today in online book stores

A surprise gift - Sparky's story

Christmas Eve in San Miguel de Allende

   Police at the Parroquia San Miguel Arcángel 

It is a different type of Christmas Eve, but a fascinating one. I probably won't get much sleep tonight, but that's okay. It's another adventure.

By sunset, the house parties and accompanying fireworks started, church bells rang at regular intervals throughout the day, and in the evening, the music began flowing from restaurants, bars, and hotels. The majority of the restaurants are fully booked with a special Christmas Eve menu being offered.

The day started early with my four-legged alarm clock, and we wandered the empty streets while he read the local pee-news and left his responses.

Being the only human in this duo, I can't get a cup of coffee for our strolls because my walking partner is not allowed in most of the restaurants. I did see one this afternoon that said 'pet friendly.'  They may become my new best friends.

Sparky and I are enjoying cocktail time

Later in the afternoon, Sparky and I discovered a rooftop terraza at our hotel and we enjoyed the warmth of the setting sun, while I sipped on a glass of my favourite Malbec. As I returned to my room to get a second glass of wine, the front desk attendant knocked on my door to inform me that I was being moved to the suite upstairs, where the rooftop deck was located.

"Uh, at 5:30 in the afternoon, you want me to move rooms?" I asked.

"Yes, you booked a kitchenette, and we have to move you because your current room is booked for new arrivals this evening."

The first 19 stairs - and then there are more.

She was right. I had booked a kitchenette but had decided that the listing was probably out of date, and I really didn't care as long as we had a place to sleep.

I repacked our suitcases and we moved upstairs to the Penthouse...and I say that very tongue-in-cheek. The suite is roomy, has a kitchenette, and a great view.

But the 38 spiral stairs from the bottom floor to our suite will either give Sparky and me great leg muscles or they will kill us. It's a 50/50 chance at this point.

Sunset from our 'penthouse' deck.

At 8:45 p.m., the church bells went wild. I am assuming a 9:00 p.m. mass is about to start. When it is over, the partying will begin in earnest.

I will end this and try to catch a bit of sleep. Sparky is already curled up in his bed.

Sleep well, and I hope Santa is good to you. Lynda and The Sparkinator

~

Available in online book stores! Grab your copy today.

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

The beginning of a new adventure - Widowhood 101

We're going on an adventure.

It's time to say "Adios." Sparky, Boo, and I are leaving Isla Mujeres on Monday, December 23rd, for a different Mexican experience. We are moving to San Miguel de Allende.

Living for twelve years on a tropical island, just steps away from the beautiful Caribbean Sea, has been a life-changing opportunity. 

As of this week, our little ocean-front casa has been purchased by Tracy and Karl from Wisconsin.

The golf-cart-trap, north end of Medina Ave. 

Despite their recent and hilarious discovery that golf carts can't swim through rain-flooded streets, Tracy and Karl are looking forward to their new adventure. I hope you will give them a warm island welcome.

Our first experience with this little Caribbean paradise started seventeen years ago when Lawrie and I stayed at Villa Makax on the western side of Isla Mujeres. We later stayed on the Caribbean side in 2003 and again in 2005 before deciding to buy a lot and build our home. 

2007, builder and dear friend Patricio Yam

In the winter of 2008, we threw ourselves into retirement, island living, and just having fun. 

Lawrie was always the 'social butterfly' willing to chat up anyone, to tell them how much we loved living on a tropical island in Mexico. 

He happily told everyone he met how much we enjoyed the culture, the people, the food, and the beautiful turquoise Caribbean Sea. We made many friends, from both the born-on-the-island local community and the recent arrivals from Canada, the USA, Britain, Scandinavia, Europe, and Japan.

Evan and Ethan, with their granddad, Elmo

Our two grandsons experienced Mexico, Elmo-style, with their fun-loving grandfather meeting them at the Ultramar in his authentic Elmo costume. That costume was repeatedly used to greet siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, until it became the centerpiece for the Elmo's Christmas Caravan - La Caravana Navideña de Elmo.

We created great memories, showing our grandsons Xcaret, Xhel-Ha, Xplor, Garafon Park, Tulum, Zama Beach Club, and the sugar-white sands of Playa Norte. We also organized an island-wide pirate treasure hunt for the entire family. 

Custom-made bootie bags for the kids!

Son, John, really enjoyed floating in his Mexican office, our swimming pool. 

We also amused John and Maia by getting hopelessly lost in the backroads between Valladolid and Izamal, while the gas-gauge alarm pinged in increasingly shorter intervals....low on gas, really low on gas, Hey, wake up! You're running on fumes. 

John's GPS skills on his phone saved the four of us from certain death from a lack of cervesa. 

"Do they have any idea where we are?" "Nope!"

Our year-round entertainment consisted of the annual cultural events: New Year's Eve, Carnaval, Día de la Independencia, Día de Los Muertos, plus many other parades, processions, and fiestas. 

We danced on the sand, in the street, at beach bars, and under the moonlight on our ocean-side patio. 

There were many laughter-filled neighbourhood parties, family birthdays, and New Year's Eve celebrations at our house. Siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, cousins, and many old friends visited the island. 

One Canadian friend remarked, "All you seem to do is party." Posting the celebration photos was far more interesting than uploading pictures of our day-to-day routine of cooking meals, making the bed, or sweeping the floors.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

And living in paradise didn't stop us from taking a vacation from our vacation. We traveled back to Canada every second year to visit with our families and as many friends as we could squeeze into the time available. 

We traveled with Lawrie's siblings to Desolation Sound, Canada in 2011,  Europe for his 70th birthday in 2012, and the Florida Keys in 2013. 

Recently, Lawrie and I celebrated his 75th and my 66th birthdays in Argentina. 

July 1st, 2017, at Javi's Cantina

As many of you know, Lawrie, my adventure partner, passed away on September 3rd, 2018. I was convinced that remaining on Isla Mujeres with my network of supportive friends was the best place for me. 

However, I finally realized I am being crushed by the powerful memories of a romantic and joyful life. He is on every street corner and in every restaurant. He shares my morning coffee, my afternoon meal, and my evening glass of wine. 

In June of this year, I listed our home with my friends at Mundaca Real Estate. Within three days, I had a good offer that I accepted. And then I waited, and waited, and waited.

It's a lengthy and frustrating process to sell real estate in Mexico, especially when the deal spans three countries: American buyers, a Canadian seller, and Mexican property. The folks at Mundaca patiently pushed the deal forward one document at a time. In the end, it all came together. 

I am ready to start writing the next chapter of my life.

2008 Our 1st time, San Miguel de Allende

The first chapter spanned from childhood to high-school graduation. The second chapter was my first marriage at age nineteen, when I mistook the discovery of sex for true love. The third and most exciting chapter was my almost forty-year love affair with Lawrie. 

So, now I am heading into a new adventure, to experience new places, and perhaps write a second mystery series. I am still working on Book #6 of the Isla Mujeres Mystery series, Twisted Isla, but due to the recent changes, my writing schedule has been erratic. Be patient. It will happen. 

Thank you all for being a part of our lives. I'm certain I will run into many of you again, either here on Isla Mujeres or in San Miguel de Allende.

Adios y grandes abrazos
Goodbye and big hugs, Lynda, Sparky, and Boo the Cat

The quote below was always one of our favourites. Thanks to Julie and Rob Goth for reminding me ...

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!”  ― Hunter S. Thompson,

Isla Mujeres Mystery novels - available on Amazon.com

and 

Isla Mujeres, Mexico: One of the most colourful cities in the world!

My favourite is the "crayon house"

Dang!  We’re good! 

Two weeks ago, Isla Mujeres was ranked in the top ten islands of the world. This week, an article rating the top twenty-four locations to see colourfully painted houses ranked Isla as number seventeen.  

Fabulous creations like the “crayon house” are eye candy for anyone toting a camera. Deliciously covered in bright colours, designs, and scenery, this multi-coloured house sports a meticulous paint job. Amazing artistry. Think of the hours of detailed work required to create the effect.  The muscles of my painting hand are cramping in sympathy. 

Hemingway's Bar for wedding photos.

The Behr Paint Company judged Isla Mujeres against locations like Cinque Terre, Italy, Cape Town, South Africa, Barranco in Lima, Peru, and a host of other gorgeous cities.  

Only one Canadian city, St. John’s in Newfoundland, made the list. Granted, the paint company is hoping to sell more of its product, but the article still brings positive recognition to this sleepy little island.

Beautiful Casa Zuzy

Most island visitors have photos, or at least have seen photos, of the visible Centro locations that have been photographed time and time again. Places like the French Bistro, Mañanas Coffee House, Hemingway’s Bar, Barlito’s Bakery, and Orsario’s Hardware Store, to name a few.  

But if you wander around the diverse neighbourhoods, there are many more examples of great colour combinations: orange and green, pink and blue, yellow and orange, pink and purple, and multi-coloured. Another favourite of mine is the magenta-trimmed turquoise house, slathered with polka dots in hues of green, red and blue. This one is located near the Salinas Grande, close to where the road changes from a tope-riddled (speed bumps) congested street into the double-width road.

My second favourite, the polka-dot house

The colour extends into every part of island life. Even the tombs in the two island cemeteries are painted pink, blue, purple, and mango-yellow. Our Canadian cemeteries, especially the newer ones, resemble parks or golf courses with granite headstones flat to the ground, so that the groundskeepers can trim the lush grass with riding lawnmowers. Somber tones of grey, brown, and black arrear to be the only acceptable hues in northern graveyards. The Mexican custom of painting tombs with a palette of cheerful colours is, in my view, fitting for this bright and vibrant culture.

Beautifully cared for tombs

Perhaps the Municipality of Isla Mujeres should encourage more owners to paint their houses and businesses, with wild, interesting combinations.  

The municipality could feature a different, well-painted building every month, and offer a small cash prize to the winner. Over time, the various neighbourhoods could become a draw for photographic buffs. 

Love this entrance!

There I go day-dreaming again.  

In the meantime, get your cameras out and explore the various neighbourhoods.  

You’ll find lots of interesting photo opportunities – because, after all, we are number seventeen in The 24 Most Colourful Cities in the World. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/behr/the-24-most-colorful-cities-in-the-world

Hasta Luego          
Lynda and Lawrie

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