The Day We Found San Miguel de Allende

The one famous place in Mexico that we hadn't visited yet was San Miguel de Allende. We had been living outside of Colima for about seven years and had driven all over Mexico, every beach, every park, every city but not San Miguel. After spending a few days in San Miguel de Allende, we fell in love.

We had explored Mexico, extensively. We had traveled all over Mexico, all the great beach towns, Ixtapa, Puerta Vallerta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, the big cities, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Oaxaca, the small towns, we had been eveywhere. We had been close to San Miguel de Allende but never had visited.

Then we went to San Miguel for a working holiday. After just three days, we knew, this was THE place we had been searching for.

San Miguel de Allende has culture, beauty, great restaurants, friendly people, lots of history, beautiful colonial architecture, temperate climate and we could be at the beach within a day's drive or a short flight from the nearby Leon or Quertero airports. Also the daily living expense, in Mexico is very reasonable. What more could you ask for? (Did I mention cobble stone streets?)

No wonder it is called the jewel of colonial Mexico and was declared a National Monument in 1926.

While we were visiting we found a place to rent. Then we went home and moved all of our belongings to San Miguel de Allende.

I really enjoy riding ATVs to the Las Grutas or Taboada hot springs and lay by their pools and order great food and Margaritas or beer brought to me poolside. In the evenings we get together with friends and dine at one of the many restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. Afterwards we enjoy a stroll through the Jardin Principal, and listen to the Mariachis, while gazing upwards at the beautiful and wondrous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel. At night, I never tire of looking at La Parroquia with the lights shining on the pink sandstone and its looming gothic towers. Iglesia San Rafael, otherwise known as Santa Esquela- sits to the left of the Parroquia. It is beautiful as well. To me, it looks like the Tower of London.

Many people come to San Miguel for the art galleries and art schools such as Instituto Allende but don't forget about the wonderful cooking schools as well.

San Miguel has a lot to offer. Visit San Miguel de Allende soon and discover why so many people love to visit and some even decide to stay.

To learn more about San Miguel de Allende, go to: www.whatshotinsanmiguel.com