By Dennis Taylor If you happen to walk along the banks of the Presa in El Charco when it’s full of water, or the shores of Presa Allende where the water is shallow, you will almost surely see one, if not all three, different types of wading birds. The White-faced Ibis , American Avocet , and Black-necked Stilt  all share the same habitat and have long skinny legs (good for wading). But that’s the extent of their similarities.  Aside from their divergent plumages, you will not

By Jessie LaFalce Hygge  is more than a style of decorating; it’s a way of living. It’s about creating spaces that nurture the soul — spaces that invite us to slow down, savor a cup of coffee, and appreciate the small, quiet joys that make life feel full. Originating in Denmark, Hygge centers around the pursuit of contentment through simplicity and warmth. Candles, natural materials, layered textures, and soft lighting all play their part — but at its core, Hygge is about how

By Meryl Truett The past few weeks in San Miguel de Allende have been a happy little whirl of art openings— those golden-hour evenings when the streets feel extra cinematic, the galleries glow like lanterns, and you can’t walk two blocks without running into a familiar face (or a new one holding a plastic cup of vino blanco with a happy story about how they arrived to our unique pueblecito ). I’ve been popping into several shows around town—drifting from courtyard to white wa

By Colleen Sorenson ASfii RUbnck  is a San Miguel artist who truly loves his job at CASA A.C. Center for Adolescents in Santa Julia, where he teaches graffiti art and promotes the projects of the Ranchero Pandillero Program . This program was started in 2018 by artists from different neighborhoods with unique painting styles. The goal is to reduce the rates of violence among young people through art and hip-hop, and a focus on promoting peace between neighborhoods with respec

By Lisa Babincsak If you're walking around San Miguel and stumble on a shop you like, here's my advice: Pin it. Write down the address. Take a photo of the front. Take a photo of the building next to it. Take a photo of the entire block. Because if you don't, you will never find it again. San Miguel is a maze. A beautiful, cobblestoned, flower-covered maze. But still—a maze. The streets twist and narrow. The alleys fork. Doorways could lead to a candle shop, an art gallery, o

By Doreen Cumberford January in San Miguel delivers us some cool misty mornings and the annual ritual of New Year’s resolutions. But for expats, the concept of cultural goal-setting often misses the mark. Moving to México and learning Spanish is way more than logistics and vocabulary, yes, it's about connection and day-by-day personal growth. We all arrived with eagerness and good intentions. Yes, of course we'll learn Spanish, make local friends, immerse ourselves in Mexican

By Carolina de la Cajiga The day Cris Solís  and her husband arrived in San Miguel as newlyweds, someone stole all their belongings—including their hammock and family photos. “That’s how we started our life here in 2015,” says Cris with a hearty laugh, typical of Veracruz, where she’s from. Luckily for San Miguel de Allende, they stayed. “The first few months were complicated, especially when I got pregnant,”  she recalls, “but I was fortunate to meet other women in similar s

By Catherine Marenghi Atención News  is launching a new book club for San Miguel book lovers. Recognizing the vibrant literary community in San Miguel de Allende, Atención will focus on titles by talented local authors, with a preference for fiction, memoir, and short stories. Monthly book club meetings will be held at 3:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month beginning February 24th , at Casa Nigromante , the historic birthplace of Ignacio Ramirez located on Umaran #38. A

By Camie Fenton Waiting for the New Year to roll in—and now it has—bringing with it all the intentions and aspirations that a “clean slate” inspires in each of us. While we know it’s never quite that simple, the idea of beginning anew invites reflection: striving for betterment, more kindness, more patience, deeper gratitude, and more time to share ourselves with others. In a world that often moves too quickly, these intentions ask us to pause and be more present with ourselv

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio Fashion has long been driven by youth-centric imagery, trends, and marketing strategies. Yet one of the most loyal, discerning, and financially independent audiences remains largely overlooked: mature clients. This demographic, often defined as individuals over 50, possesses a deep appreciation for quality, personal style, and craftsmanship. Designing for them is not about following fleeting trends, but about creating clothing that respects experi

By Stan Allen, 8-year volunteer On November 20, 2015, ABBA House opened its doors for the first time. Pastor Ignacio  and his young family realized that migrant need and care required more than hot meals and warm clothing delivered daily from the trunk of the family car. Pastor Ignacio had a humanitarian and ambitious vision 10 years ago! The initial mission of ABBA House was to offer migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and oppression in their Central American countries, a pl

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey San Miguel de Allende has long been a haven for thinkers, artists, and those drawn to meaningful conversation. Its blend of heritage, contemporary creativity, and openness to global ideas makes it the ideal home for  TEDxCalle Aldama , returning this year under the theme “Symphonies for the Future.”  More than an event, it is becoming one of the city’s defining cultural experiences—an intersection where imagination, art, and human insight meet. At

By Karina Álvarez As the high season of English-languagetheatre begins in San Miguel de Allende, Teatro Santa Ana  welcomes a dynamic blend of independent producers and long-standing theatre companies who continue to make our stage their artistic home. Over the next three months, these artists—many of whom perform with us regularly—bring creativity, commitment, and passion that enrich the cultural life of residents and visitors alike. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the prod

By Natalie Taylor Difficult times can either break or strengthen, and often what rises from adversity is a positive beginning. With the world deeply bruised by WWI, writer Catherine Amy Dawson searched for a way for writers to unite, since nations had failed to do so.  “We must talk to one another,”  she wrote in her letters addressed to writers everywhere, encouraging them to break the wall of hatred that had been left behind by the war. On October 5, 1921, the PEN Club —the

By Carla Maria Pérez A new year always carries a certain energy. It feels like a fresh stretch of road, open and inviting, encouraging us to imagine what’s possible. But instead of making resolutions we abandon by February, what if we approached the year differently? What if we designed a year that actually feels good to live—one built on consistent movement, nourishing food, meaningful connection, and simple, intentional escapes from routine? These pillars work together. The

By Cathi House At 6,200 feet altitude, the sharp, clear lines of shadows embellish the colorful walls of San Miguel with layers of patterns cast from exquisitely carved stone moldings, ornate lanterns, balconies draped in greenery... Lime-washed colors glow in the sunlight as though they are illuminated from within. San Miguel has a complex mix of centuries of architectural styles, protected by INAH. A National Monument since 1926, and a UNESCO site since 2008, San Miguel’s h

By Natalie Taylor On the corner of Insurgentes and Pepe Llanos, where the buses make a stop, a small stand calls attention to itself with the lovely aroma that emanates from it. At the far edge of Plaza Zaragoza you can buy small bags of freshly fried churros , either plain or rellenos —filled with chocolate or dulce de leche . The stand is attended by Marlene  and Carlos , sister and brother, whose grandfather began the business. Jose Remedios Navarro and his wife, María Ele

By Robin Loving What happens when unicorns unite? A creative coupling! Unicorn Judith Jenya  was exhibiting her visual art in Guanajuato in 2010 when - during the last hour of the show - Unicorn Mark Johaningsmeir showed up. Thus began their origin story. They swapped stories, then emails, then went to the Cervantino Festival concerts – again and again and again. The final concert of the season was sold out, and then abruptly changed venues. The two volleyed between venues in

By Lisa Babincsak Lately, I find myself reflecting on the most meaningful moments of my life. They weren't filled with material presents. They were moments of true presence and connection. When I look back, it's never the gifts or the price tags that stand out. It's the quiet conversations that lingered long after the candles burned low. The laughter that filled a room without effort. The times someone looked me in the eyes and really saw me—a moment of recognition that felt

By Natalie Taylor Jaime Fernández has been an integral part of San Miguel his entire life. His father, Enrique Fernández was governor of the state of Guanajuato from 1939 to 1943, and his mother, Nell Harris, was born in Arkansas but became a resident of México. The two met and married in Guanajuato City, and this is where Jaime was born. In 1949, Enrique and Nell moved to San Miguel de Allende and purchased the ancestral home of the De la Canal family—the current Instituto A