Making Do in San Miguel de Allende

3 Comments Travel
Juan Antonio walks four hours from his home in the "campo" (countryside) with his burro to sell burlap sacks of potting soil. In a gentle voice, without any self-pity, he tells me (in Spanish), "There is no money in the campo. The economic crisis has hit everyone very hard."

One of the many wonderful and endearing aspects of life in San Miguel de Allende is the constant interaction with vendors.

They arrive at our door and ring the bell, punctuating the day with offers of tortillas, gorditas, tamales, flowers, nopales, soil; deliveries of bottled water and bottled gas. Then there’s the hombre whose knife and scissor sharpening service is heralded by a long, low whistle, the corn man whose presence is made known with an indecipherable bellowing chant, and the franchise ice cream woman whose costume matches her rolling cart.

They bring what ever goods they have made, gathered or found to sell, and courageously and unabashedly ask if you want some.

The Ice Cream Lady scurries by in the heat of the day.
Pepe and Lupe sell tortillas and roasted seeds on our street. It's impossible to know their story, as they are too shy, or scared, to tell it. But, one thing is certain: life is not easy for them, and many other children vendors on the streets of San Miguel.

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3 Comments Making Do in San Miguel de Allende

  1. Janell March 4, 2011 at 8:12 am

    Hi Aysha,

    I love reading your posts! And the pictures
    are so, so special.

    I can tell that this is a truly magical place for you.
    So glad you were able to make this trip and
    add it all to your life story!

  2. Aysha Griffin March 4, 2011 at 9:19 am

    We’re just gathering up stories…”a grand adventure or nothing at all.” Thanks for being part of mine! xxoxx

  3. arturo Vera March 7, 2011 at 8:15 am

    “a grand adventure or nothing at all.” I like that.

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