Dancing in the Jardin

Sunday is another magnificent day so we pussyfoot down the cobblestoned alleys to the flatter part of town. La Casa Arriba is located high up the hill on the Salida a Queretero, so it's a bit of a hike downtown and we always watch the ground so as not to trip and fall. If you'd like to see the place we're renting, go to www.vrbo.com/130492.

We decide to go to the Posada Carmina Hotel for brunch where we can sit outside in the ancient courtyard. There are massive stone walls covered with flowering vines and a lovely central fountain. This hotel is an old restored 18th century Hacienda. Some of the tables have umbrellas made of cotton with a beautiful crocheted trim and set amongst the orange trees. The waiters are very formal and the service is wonderful. We love this place.

After brunch we continue on to the Instituto Allende where there's an Arts and Crafts fair. The Instituto is a college where you can study art and Spanish and is set on a magnificent piece of property. They offer BFA and Master of Fine Arts programs as well as art workshops. Today it is taken over by dozens of vendors of silver jewelry, rugs from Oaxaca, art of all types, textiles, semi-precious gem jewelry, and hundreds of people. We join the throngs of folks and pick out a few special little gifts.

As we're strolling back to the Jardin, we see a sign outside La Fragua announcing Happy Hour with 2 for 1 Margaritas. Live music is playing. Gee, how can we resist? After spending an hour or so here, we finally get to the Jardin and the Sunday festivities.

Oh my, the party is REALLY happening on Sunday night! The Jardin is PACKED. People are dancing, live music in the central bandstand, balloon and toy vendors, food stands, the ice cream horse, people are everywhere laughing, hugging, chatting and having a grand time. The place is amazing and we are swept up into another joyous and magical encounter in San Miguel. Are we never going to tire of this place?