Thursday, February 20, 2014

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

In the interest of fairness I have to say that there are good things about San Miguel.  Many, many nice things.  Last night Claire and I went to a lecture on Modigliani (that's not the nice thing). After the lecture, which took place far from the center of town, many attendees were waiting for taxis that had been called.  Some people were very impatient about this is my taxi, we called first, no, we did.  A few of us just stood there waiting, knowing that taxis for all would eventually come.  And laughed at the obnoxious behavior.  I struck up a conversation with them and we ended up sharing a taxi and going to dinner together. 

We had a lot of fun.  They are from the West Coast but originally from Detroit.  We went to La Grotta - a pizzeria with delicious salads and pizzas.  Claire had the margarita she'd been craving all day; I had a beer; we ate and talked and laughed.  After dinner we walked to El Jardin where a mariachi band was playing to the delight of my friends who promptly took photos and videos.

Carol and Andy turned out to be delightful, down-to-earth, funny.  That happens here often. You meet people in cafes, in El Jardin, at the Biblioteca, in shops.  If you are open and talk to everyone, you make friends easily.  And that's a good thing.

The lecture which was sold out was kind-of lame.  These couple have lectures about painters once a week and make a mint doing it.  He was the speaker this time and all he did was read his power point presentation, albeit very theatrically, with mannerisms, gestures, voice inflections.  I thought - what a shtick!  why don't I come up with some topic and give lectures and make some money.  I was told that they are always sold out. We were able to get in because two people didn't show up.  And they cost $130 (pesos, not dollars).  

Claire arrived on time and happy to be in a warm, sunny place.  We'll see what the day brings.

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