When I was in Patzcuaro I ordered this soup, Sopa Tarascal, every day. According to the waiters, it’s a Michoacán classic, especially in Patzcuaro. The soup’s base is pureed tomatoes, Guajillo chiles and Flor de Mayo beans.

Today is Flag Day in Mexico. Cue a patriotic celebration, focused around the Plaza Principal, with parades and civic events . I was up as the rooster crowed, dressed quickly and grabbed my camera before heading down to the Centro Histórico.

FLAG DAY 2018 in SMA

As my glorious time in San Miguel comes to an end, a beautifully sunny day and comfortable park bench offered me the solitude to reflect on this month-long journey. If I had aspired to a deep dive into this country’s culture, that wish has been granted.

Just Married: Lauren & Joe

Of course, with any trip to a foreign destination, there’s been bumps and bruises. Those bruises still haven’t healed since my two early on face plants. Regrettably, I probably shouldn’t have ordered that pork belly sandwich! My cash cards don’t work. Memo: Talk to bank. I don’t speak Spanish. French doesn’t work! That’s truly a drawback but police are ubiquitous and very helpful.

There is a school just below the O’Leary’s hacienda. Each morning I love listening to the kids’ happy screams and laughter.

It’s been a safe trip. The only fear I’ve experienced was inadvertently jumping into water deeper than me. Remember? I can’t swim. I panicked before Blanca got me to a safe space.

At first Blanca and Cavanaugh shepherded me to important sites and helped orient me to SMA. I still am graciously included in all their social events. But thereafter I’ve managed to stumble about this city’s very complicated 64-block historic area myself or to meet friends. Thanks, Google.

The Magnificent Monarch

As before, photos best capture the past ten days.

SANTUARIO de la MARIPOSA MONARCA

It won’t surprise you that the highlight of my trip has been going to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a 200-square mile protected area and winter home to more than 60 million monarch butterflies. I joined a group of 13 Canadians for the arduous 11-hour trip to El Rosario Preserve. For the monarchs, it’s a 2,500-3,000 mile migration flight from Canada/US to the preserve. For us it was an 8-hour vehicle roundtrip, a 40-minute horse ride up the mountains and another mile-long hike. To see those beautiful creatures? A magic moment.

The third leg of the trip, hiking up the mountain to the butterflies with my Canadian friend, Kathy.

SAN MIGUEL WRITERS CONFERENCE & LITERARY FESTIVAL

From February 14-18 I attended and enjoyed San Miguel’s annual writers conference.

Waiting to hear the incomparable Sandra Cisneros…..Jane, Marcella, Rick and Blanca

I had never heard of Poet Rita Dove but, after her keynote presentation, I will never forget her.

ANOTHER FACE of MEXICO MASK MUSEUM

Owner/Curator of the Mask Museum, Bill LeVasseur

After arriving in SMA I received an email from Aspenite Wendy Weaver who has been our travel agent for 30 years and is an experienced traveler. She urged me not to miss visiting SMA’s mask museum located, incidentally, one block from O’Leary’s hacienda.

Although no photos were allowed to be taken in the museum, I found this image on the Web.

Owner/curator Bill LeVasseur and his wife, Heidi, have spent more than 25 years acquiring an extraordinary collection of over 600 Mexican ceremonial masks. Besides being knowledgeable himself while taking you through the collection, there are also texts, photos, and videos highlighting more than 40 different dance ceremonies.

CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA

Cavanaugh, who speaks Spanish, volunteers three days a week as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross. When in Aspen, he is a Mountain Rescue volunteer.

MORELIO, PATZCUARO, CAPULA and TZINTZUNTZAN

Blanca and Cavanaugh have gathered together an amazing and growing collection of Mexican handcrafts and folk art created with various materials for utilitarian and decorative purposes. We took a 4-day road trip through the central Mexican state of Michoacán in search of new acquisitions. The trip was remarkable in so many ways.

We stopped at the warehouse of a folkart dealer in Patzcuaro. The walls were all lined with masks.

In the back of a Capula pottery shop these artists were at work.

The Ex-Convento de San Francisco, a religious/monastery complex in Tzintzuntzan. It’s buildings date back to the 1500’s and 1600’s The city was founded in 1450.

FAREWELL to SAN MIGUEL

I hope this beautiful but forlorn lady will forgive me this bright smile. San Miguel de Allende is a place to be happy/