We’ve spent the last few days with a home base of San Miguel de Allende. I had read in my guidebook that there is a large American ex-pat presence here and we saw it first thing when we had organic kombucha at a gringo cafe. Both of us were a bit turned off because we share the same travel philosophy: we like to eat, travel, and experience how the locals do.
Soon enough we found our groove and figured out why San Miguel is a popular spot. It’s colourful buildings and elaborate cathedral have a cozy feel. We had our cameras ready around every corner.
We found the local market and returned every day for chilequile breakfast. It’s basically nachos for breakfast. Yum!
The night views didn’t disappoint either.
One day we decided to take the local bus for a day trip to the UNESCO town of Guanajuato (pronounced “wanna-wuato”). For the first time this trip we didn’t have the magic timing of showing up at the exact time that the bus was about to depart. We were questioning our plan and trying to decide if we should change course, but in the end opted to wait a couple of hours for the bus. Our instincts were right.
We had no idea until we got there that there was a big festival going on for the day of the Virgin Guadalupe. It seemed that every family in town had their kids dressed up like little Juans or Guadalupes. There were photo ops, foods, and a large moving mass of people going to the Templo de Guadalupe. We were definitely glad we went.
When Rocky and I were planning this trip we had a shared notes page where we wrote in the things that we wanted to do. On a whim I put down Lucha Libre, which is Mexican professional wrestling. I tried to look it up for the cities that we were going to but didn’t find any events. I had almost given up when I searched in San Miguel de Allende. What are the chances that there was an event for our last night there? It was fate.
We took an Uber to a suburb of town where I was expecting a colosseum event. Even better, there was a ring set up on the local futbol pitch with cement bleachers and free admission. It started with children showing their skills at their extra-curricular Lucha Libre classes and then, with much anticipation, it was the main event. It brought me back to my childhood Stampede Wrestling events. Jeers from the crowd, terrible acting, and high flying stunts had us belly laughing. My favorite part was trying to translate the commentator and trash talk from the wrestlers and crowd.
What a perfect way to end another incredible Rock-Awn holiday. I’m so glad to have a travel friend who shares my desire for adventure, even if she sometimes books a hotel room without a bathroom door. Hasta la proxima (until next time)!