Our Last Day

As we awoke this morning, we view everything as "our last" . . . our last day to enjoy coffee in our robes, to cook breakfast, including freshly squeezed orange and tangerine juice picked from the yard, to walk to the jardin, to see the regulars along the way.

Somehow Carmello knew we would be there, and I have to admit I succumbed to his artistic charms once again! I bought a small olla, or pitcher, that is a new item for him. Don't ask me how I will carry it home--I'm just glad I didn't agree to the bigger one he was insisting I needed. "¡No Problem!" he always says, and then laughs as he throws back his head when I say, "¡No problem for you!"

Yesterday we traveled to Guanajuato. Frank and I went there last year, and I was determined this year to get to the top of the hill where the statue of "Il Pipila," hero of the revolution, sits. For just about a dollar we rode the tram to the top and were swept away by the breathtaking view of this colorful sprawling old mining town. Of course it was populated by the ubiquitous souvenir vendors, but we did meet a painter who had spent time in the U.S. and will be sharing his lovely art at 3 U.S. cities in the coming year. And he gave us a good price . . . . We also visited the museum which was the home of Diego Rivera as a young boy. Great art created over many decades of his life encompassed many styles. The city was jammed with people as this month is the Cervantina, an International Festival of the Arts. Lots of street music and more.

It was disheartening to have our first class bus ride home dominated by the video "2012" with all its disaster scenes. But it was dubbed in Spanish, unlike the morning's video, which was punctuated by a profusion of "F" words in every scene. And there were subtitles. What must these Mexican people think of us Americans?

We returned home exhaused and ready to stay in and nest for the evening. Had a simple dinner which has become a favorite: tostados, cheese, guacamole, and ham. We then each listed things we will miss about being here and things we'll be glad for when we return home. Among the things we will miss: The beautiful pealing of the church bells which begin at 6:30 in the morning, the warmth and friendliness of the people, the long walks and beautiful weather, the delicious smells and tastes of the foods, and the COLOR which is everywhere, including the azure sky. We will be glad to return to our families, and the comforts such as daily newspapers and internet. We feel it is good for us mentally to be out of the daily routine, having to think of how to communicate. I personally will miss my young friend, Juan, and the sound of his siblings calling out "Gringa!" when they see me or wave good-bye. While I would not want to live here, as many Americanos have done, I do feel it is a home in my heart.

Later we will pack and have one last dinner at Cafe Monet, then tomorrow eat a breakfast out before our driver picks us up around noon. And now, I will meet Juan for one last lunch together.

Hope you have enjoyed the blog. I will add more photos once I am at home.

La Gringa
Gayle

This photo is in the open-air entry way of our casa. The house is so beautiful!