San Miguel de Allende is beautiful, our friends in Mexico City had told us. We believed them, but based on what we’d read and heard we somehow expected a Disney version of a Mexican town, with perfect buildings and immaculate streets, with all the gritty character and atmosphere painted over and scrubbed away.
Sure the facades are in better condition than they are in most towns, and the cobblestone streets are well-paved, but we were relieved to find that San Miguel was as grungy and authentic as the next Mexican town, with paint peeling from walls, hand-written signs, and saloon doors half-swinging off their hinges.
The town has plenty of character and charm – it’s just that sometimes it’s found in unexpected places. Unexpected for San Miguel that is…
6 comments
Angela says:
September 12, 2010 at 11:10 pm (UTC 10 )
Gorgeous photos, I love the tones, they remind of typical Mexican sensuality. Looking forward to finding out where you are heading next!
Terence Carter says:
September 13, 2010 at 5:02 am (UTC 10 )
Thanks so much! That’s just what I was going for
Lots more photos from San Miguel to come…
Jen Laceda says:
September 15, 2010 at 5:03 pm (UTC 10 )
Lovely set of photos. I was initially planning a trip to San Miguel de Allende for Sep 14-20 but had to cancel because our basement took in some storm water and we had to hire a contractor to dig and seal the house. Argh! I wish I was travelling now. I just know that I’d have an awesome time in SMA – just me, my little girl, and my camera!
Rowena says:
September 20, 2010 at 10:32 am (UTC 10 )
Just beautiful! And as I remember it – perhaps a little more tarted up? I sat out on my terrace last night in a poncho from San Miguel – five years later! I wish I could go back… Enjoy! R
Terence Carter says:
September 21, 2010 at 6:25 am (UTC 10 )
Rowena, no idea whether it’s been tarted up, but the expats buying up properties are restoring some pretty rundown places that the locals can’t afford to. Nothing’s too over-the-top, though, you can’t remove all the grit and life from a Mexican town!
Thanks for stopping by!
Audrey says:
February 22, 2012 at 1:47 pm (UTC 10 )
It’s such a photogenic town. We had not heard of San Miguel before. A chance meeting with some other travelers ended in us renting their casita for 3 months there. We fell in love with it.