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Brandi Wiatrak's avatar

I’m sorry to hear about your Grandmother’s passing. What an incredible, long life she had! I look forward to learning more about her in the post you referenced. ❤️

As for SMA, that’s moved up to the top of my list of cities to visit now!

I love all the art. And a city full of creatives and friendly locals? Sign me up!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you for your words. And, yes, despite the bad reputation of SMA being too full of US retirees, it’s a lovely city.

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Duwan Dunn's avatar

One of the thinks I love about Mexico are the Mexican tourist. They know how to have so much fun! I enjoy seeing Mexican tourist in San Miguel. We were there for New Years Eve once. It was a blast.

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Claire Polders's avatar

True! They know how to enjoy life and don't seem to feel self-conscious about dancing whenever there's music that moves them.

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Beverly Jackson's avatar

So sorry about your grandmother. But this San Miguel looks fabulous. Sorry I missed it in my

many travels. Thanks for the great photos and shares.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Beverly!

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bnjd's avatar

The last time in Mexico, I was in El Bajio, and I took a day trip to Guanajuato with plans to look for lodging there when I had business calling me back to the states. With another week, I planned short stays en orden reverso de la Independencia. Ojala que regresar.

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Claire Polders's avatar

We plan to visit Guanajuato, too, now we're in the neighborhood.

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Darren Weir's avatar

Sorry for your loss.

I love your article because it brings back so many things about San Miguel that I love like the people, the color, the art and the street art.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Darren! I’m happy you have so many good memories of this place.

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Paul Crenshaw's avatar

Loved reading this and so sorry for your loss. That paragraph made me think of my grandmother. I need to call her 💙

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Paul! And yes, call, her. In the end, Oma could hardly hear a word I said. But it was enough she knew it was me on the line somewhere out there in the world.

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Lucy Hearne Keane's avatar

Beautiful essay as always Claire. It's so alive with your observations. Condolences on the passing of your grandmother. In Ireland May 1st is Bealtaine, start of summertime. Happy Bealtaine

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Lucy! I find the small daily things abroad so fascinating and always hope I can bring these across. Happy Bealtaine to you as well!

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Teronda Seymore's avatar

My condolences on your grandmother, Claire. 107! What a full, full life. ... Looks like I need to add San Miguel de Allende to my list.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Teronda! San Miguel is surely worth a visit, but so are many, many other places in Mexico. Perhaps I secretly prefer Oaxaca.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

My condolences, Claire, on your grandmother's passing. Very sorry. She will always be immortalized in your post about her, for certain. Re SMA, I haven't been in ages so it was fun to take this memorable trip w/ you, along w. your gorgeous photos. Disfrutas su viaje!!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Muchas gracias. Necesito practicar más mi español!

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Jody Frost's avatar

I adore SMdA! I've been 3 times, each time immersing myself like a local. The first time, I went for a tango festival and stayed on for a couple of weeks after in cute Airbnb's which there are an abundance of.

The second time, I visited with hubby. We went exploring outside of town, hiring a driver for the day. La Gruta is my fav mineral springs, although there are others too. Pozos del Mineral and the nearby village is a super interesting abandoned silver mine to poke around in... There was an ancient old boy who acted as caretaker for the property (he's, I'm sure long gone by now) who hobbled around sort of showing us the highlights, pointing things out with his cane.

The last time I went with my girlfriend and photographer buddy, I got to act as a guide for them

There's no city quite like this one! So unique and special. It has a place in my heart, and I will visit it again. Next time, I want to do an immersive art or writing class/retreat, or workshop with a teacher. Keeping my eye peeled for that opportunity!

Ever so sorry for your grandma's passing. But sounds like at 107 (!) she'd soaked up all there is here on this plane! 🌟💖

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you for your SMA stories and recommendations and for your kind words on my grandmother. We haven't gone to any of the mineral springs yet, so I'm looking forward to that!

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Beth Kephart's avatar

I am so sorry about your grandmother. I hope that she is now in a place as vibrant as the gorgeous San Miguel, about which I have written because how could one note. A most beautiful, beautiful place. Great observations!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Beth!

Where can I find your writing on San Miguel? Is it here in your newsletter archive?

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Beth Kephart's avatar

Some of it is in a long chapter in Wife Daughter Self — a trip I took there with my father and my husband and son — and my husband's Salvadoran family.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you! I will look for it.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I guess I don't need to write our newsletter about SMA now! 🤣🤣🤣

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Claire Polders's avatar

I’m sure you have many other observations and nuances to add!

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