TURBULENCE: of the soul

I have gone, in these 6 weeks in San Miguel, from attempting to buy a house here (2 weeks ago) to deciding that this is not the place for me (yesterday).  It's been an emotional roller coaster.   Each of these six years , since I've been alone, I have come for warmth, color and a beauty that deeply resonates with me.  And each year it has nourished me.

I fell in love with San Miguel when I first came as visitor with Michel in 1976.   Sister Jeanne was living in nearby Queretaro and we came to visit her.  She wanted us to see San Miguel where she had earlier come to learn Spanish and live with a local family.  We were all enchanted with it's beauty and with it's serenity.

What has evolved in the intervening 40 years is a shift to a place that has become an international destination.  As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts people from all over the world. With that has come a tremendous influx of money.  With that has come wonderful restaurants, even more luxurious hotels, and hordes of people.  Good and not so good.

Yesterday (a Sunday) I wanted to fly home.  I couldn't sit in the Jardín.  No places on the benches.
A hundred hip, beautiful Mexican couples taking selfies with those dreadful pole things.  Mylar balloons poking anyone nearby with their shiny pointed rocket-shaped ends.  Elegant teenagers focused on their cell phones nudging you off the narrow sidewalks.   Americans, believing that by speaking LOUD in English they would be understood. And then being annoyed when they are met by puzzled stares.

This morning, Monday, I awakened with what has become a morning realization:   I am happy and fortunate to be alive!   I walked out of my door into the street to see the vendor of firewood and garden soil with his 2  burros laden with his wares.  The air was clean, it was silent.   I went down to my favorite greengrocer and picked up two ripe mangos and an avocado "para hoy", knowing it would be in a perfect state of ripeness for today.  Total bill: $1.92.   Then to the store that sells natural, organic products where I got my eggs from the rancho;  mango colored yolks from very happy hens (for very little money....don't even remember the paltry amount).

Next on my Monday agenda:   Advanced Spanish Conversation with Mario.  We are 3 or 4 or sometimes 5 in this little class.  Mario is brilliant, a wonderful teacher and lots of fun.  I'm learning so much and enjoying every minute of our hour together.   Where on earth could I do this for a little over $10 an hour?

I seem to be mentioning money a lot.  It is not the most important thing to me.  But it's a wonderful situation  when you can enjoy the best of life for very little money.

Sooooooooo, where does this lead me?   Well, I can't afford to buy anything right now.  That's probably good.   My money can't be accessed for a little while.  I guess the upshot is that I'll decide where I want to be later.   In the meantime..........there are so many extraordinary corners of this planet that  I want to know.     But I'm listening to the bells of San Francisco chime and the view from my living room is glowing with the illuminated domes of La Parrochia, Las Monjas, Nuestra Señora de la Salud and there is a storm brewing and I'm cozy here in my nest.

Bueno, yo no se.