San Miguel de Allende (aka SMA)
This is one of those rare towns that has been able to preserve its historic center, in spite of its population increase from 21,000 when we visited in 1968 to over 100,000 today. It is my favorite city anywhere, sitting at roughly 6,300 feet above sea level. It is a town rich in the arts, blending retirees from the México, USA, Canada and Europe into a committed population. How are these retirees different? Commitment....commitment to help other people, whether it be a neighboring pueblo, starting tax exempt companies, educating children, or any of dozens of other ways.
Background
SMA got its start due in the 1520's when it was settled by Franciscans led byJuan de San Miguel.
Ignacio Allende, who led the independence insurgency against Spain, added his name to what is now known as San Miguel de Allende. The "ruta de la independencia" is the real beauty of colonial Mexico often over looked by tourists interested in the many Cancuns found in Mexico.
Noteworthy
During the late 1940's The SMA Art Institute was on the approved list for GI bill post WWII educational reimbursement, hence many Americans began living there during this period. Any blog reader familiar with the Jack Kerouac book On The Road will recall the lengthy passage resulting from the "beats" visit there. The Kerouac fellow beat Dean Moriarity died in San Miguel after a drug laced bout with booze he was found in a coma on railroad tracks outside of town and never recovered.
More importantly the "bible"of life in San Miguel was written several decades back: "On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel" written by Tony Cohan is a highly regarded narrative. It remains relevant today for anyone relocating to SMA as well as a good read for tourists.
Little known is the SMA story of a retired American Marine who died in the cantina El Gato Negro (La Tenampa). The establishment owner appealed to the Boro to cremate the body as no one came to claim it. It was approved and on my last SMA visit in 2018 the ashes were still kept in an urn behind the bar. The owner retains the boro approval receipt, and the history, which he allowed me to read.
For readers interested in current information subscribe to Atención the weekly newspaper including the arts, community, events and other useful information.
My personal photography website: website contains many portraits of the street people in SMA.
No profit motive to it, but if interested in photo stories from the plaza take a gander.
Ignacio Allende, who led the independence insurgency against Spain, added his name to what is now known as San Miguel de Allende. The "ruta de la independencia" is the real beauty of colonial Mexico often over looked by tourists interested in the many Cancuns found in Mexico.
Noteworthy
During the late 1940's The SMA Art Institute was on the approved list for GI bill post WWII educational reimbursement, hence many Americans began living there during this period. Any blog reader familiar with the Jack Kerouac book On The Road will recall the lengthy passage resulting from the "beats" visit there. The Kerouac fellow beat Dean Moriarity died in San Miguel after a drug laced bout with booze he was found in a coma on railroad tracks outside of town and never recovered.
More importantly the "bible"of life in San Miguel was written several decades back: "On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel" written by Tony Cohan is a highly regarded narrative. It remains relevant today for anyone relocating to SMA as well as a good read for tourists.
Little known is the SMA story of a retired American Marine who died in the cantina El Gato Negro (La Tenampa). The establishment owner appealed to the Boro to cremate the body as no one came to claim it. It was approved and on my last SMA visit in 2018 the ashes were still kept in an urn behind the bar. The owner retains the boro approval receipt, and the history, which he allowed me to read.
For readers interested in current information subscribe to Atención the weekly newspaper including the arts, community, events and other useful information.
My personal photography website: website contains many portraits of the street people in SMA.
No profit motive to it, but if interested in photo stories from the plaza take a gander.
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