Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

carlsonk

Jul 28, 2003, 8:08 AM

Post #1 of 1 (407 views)

Shortcut

Beauitiful San Miguel from an Iowan

Can't Post |

The following was published in the Des Moines Register July, 27, 2003. I sent the letter after returning from a wonderful trip to San Miguel a few weeks ago. It is one of the most beautiful places I've been and I love the non-Disney aspect and authenticity of the area. We certainly hope to return!!!

Kent Carlson

5004 Country Club Blvd

Des Moines, Iowa 50312

carlsonk@netins.net The simple lessons of San Miguel

My wife and I just returned from a trip to San Miguel, Mexico, a city of 70,000 people that was designated a national treasure in 1926, long before the notions of the politically correct and others that lobby to “improve” communities surfaced. In the case of San Miguel that means there are no stoplights, wheelchair ramps, neon lights, and few handrails. The narrow streets are cobblestone (much to the frustration of local cabbies) and sidewalks are stone. Foot travel is the most convenient. There are corner grocery stores everywhere, with no obtrusive signage as well as open markets. The food is excellent, but drinking purified water is advised. Crime is extremely rare. Spanish Colonial buildings date as far back as the 16th century, and at 7000 feet, the views are amazing.

Though many are poor, most folks appear to be very happy and are quite cordial.

If you don’t pay attention, you could turn an ankle strolling down the cobblestone street, or walk off a 400 year-old step that has no railing. Though tourism is a major part of the economy, nobody has made any attempt to make the place idiot-proof. And perhaps for that reason, I found very few idiots.

San Miguel will likely never be infested by an onslaught of Iowan suburbanites on a permanent basis. Few could relate to the slow pace, perfect temperature, great food, cheap cost of living, stunning architecture and breath-taking vistas. The idea of sacrificing one of the cars, the mall, the cardboard house, the huge property-tax write-off, hailstorms, blizzards, freeway construction, convenience stores, and all the other intrinsic qualities of life here is more than most could bear.

It appears a 500 year-old city like San Miguel hasn’t much of a chance of survival in a world as sophisticated as ours.

- Kent Carlson