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not_ally

Aug 5, 2005, 8:23 AM

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Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Hello all,

Have a friend visiting who's here (San Miguel) for a couple of weeks and would like to make a short trip to somewhere outside of SMA for a couple or three days. Potential snag: he doesn't speak Spanish. Does anyone have any ideas about good places to go for a day or two where he won't feel totally out of it if he only knows the usual tourist phrases?

I'd thought of maybe Guanajuato or Morelia and Patzcuaro but was not sure how a non-Spanish speaker would fare there.
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"The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly I discover there is no reason." John Cage

Bear

Aug 5, 2005, 8:42 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1013 views)

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Re: [not_ally] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Queretaro Centro, stay with Canadian Lady Shelley at her home a couple days. Its inexpensive and right in the heart of one of the best Colonial cities in Mexico.
www.thetruenortherner@yahoo.com.

gpk

Aug 5, 2005, 9:14 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1009 views)

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Re: [not_ally] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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"Guanajuato or Morelia and Patzcuaro"

Any of these is a great choice--obviously Guanajuato is easier to get to. Morelia and Patzcuaro can be visited together. A recent visitor of mine loved SMA, Guanajuato and Patzcuaro. She found Queretaro boring.

Carol Schmidt

Aug 5, 2005, 10:20 AM

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Re: [not_ally] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Your friend could also go to Oaxaca or to Guadalajara/Lake Chapala/Ajijic for short side trips. Patzcuaro/Morelia would be my first recommendation--easy drive, charming city, great trip around the lake to all those little towns with fantastic shopping. Guanajuato can be a day trip from SMA, as can be Queretaro--its historic centro is delightful--and Dolores Hidalgo and Atontonilco.

If your friend knows the basic phrases in Spanish, he'll survive in any of the places. Maybe a few moments of extreme discomfort, but he''ll survive!

Carol Schmidt

not_ally

Aug 6, 2005, 7:46 AM

Post #5 of 10 (958 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Thanks everyone. Think I'm going to point him towards Guanajuato with a phrasebook. Wish I was going, it sounds like fun!
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"The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly I discover there is no reason." John Cage

Ms_Powell

Aug 6, 2005, 7:59 AM

Post #6 of 10 (953 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Carol!! You have been in Patzcuaro?? Well, listen. Next time, give me a buzz first because Quiroga is just up the highway from that pretty place. Juanita and I would love to meet you!! If you do not mind riding in an old Willys, we will come over and pick you up!!

Maybe we can do lunch first over at the Cha-Cha-Cha in Patz.

And then back here to Quiroga. If you are not toooo picky, you could spend the night here at the trojes. Bring that Norma!! Really!!

We can light candles.

besos, Ginny
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"He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals." -- Benjamin Franklin.

wmhwilson

Aug 9, 2005, 3:24 PM

Post #7 of 10 (869 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Are there any ruins or digs nearby SMA for day trips?
Bill and Jackie Wilson
Wallingford,PA

Gringal

Aug 9, 2005, 4:06 PM

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Re: [wmhwilson] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Check out Pozos, the "ghost" town, for ruins. Many. It will take about an hour from San Miguel. Take the road toward Queretaro and when you reach a junction, take the road going to Doctor Mora. After that, watch the road signs for Pozos. It's a beautiful drive through the country. When you get there, Casa Montana on the main square offers a nice lunch selection. I also like the ride to Delores Hidalgo, with stops along the way to see the Talavera-style pottery. When you get to Dolores, check out the strange and wonderful ice cream flavors offered around the square.

wmhwilson

Aug 9, 2005, 5:07 PM

Post #9 of 10 (852 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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Thanks have read about the ice cream (shrimp?)...we will be in SMA in 3 weeks.
Bill and Jackie Wilson
Wallingford,PA

Chumley

Aug 10, 2005, 5:12 AM

Post #10 of 10 (816 views)

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Re: [wmhwilson] Day-ish trips from San Miguel

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There are also the pre-hispanic native ruins of La Canada near SMA. Restoration continues on this unusual site.