The day dawned early for me -- "Thank you Mr. Goat -- I almost slept past 6am -- that would have been terrible!"
Mom is feeling much much better today -- but decided one more day at home was called for. So Dad and I decided to go on a photo safari. Dad had some insight into what I needed to do to make sure the telephoto shots weren't so blurry -- I needed to hold my breath to make sure that the camera doesn't shake -- time to test the theory.
We first went to take a picture of the stairway just up the alley -- I've been down it once -- it's a little like the stairs you encounter in Mesa Verde -- narrow -- sandy -- slippery -- and every one a different height. I went down some small part of it -- but then took an opportunity to return to the main street -- I was too afraid I would get permanently lost.
So -- off on the Safari -- Dad and I went down the now boringly famous hill -- and worked our way past the market to El Jardin. We decided to stop at a cafe for a bottle of water (Dad) and a hot chocolate (me) -- Mexican hot chocolate is the best -- it has that rich chocolate (not cocoa) taste -- with a hint of cinnamon -- this also had a little bit of a peppermint taste (very faint) and a slight aftertaste of cloves. I'll spend weeks trying to recreate it! I also ordered what has to be the worst piece of apple strudel ever made (soggy -- filling tasted like dirt -- really foul).
We worked out way through some of the ritizer parts of San Miguel where Spanish disappeared altogether.
BTW --what's the deal with all the weird poodle-mix dogs in San Miguel -- either ther
e are dozens of them -- or one of them is stalking us -- While we were in the american-expat section of San Miguel we came across a gorgeous villa -- where an amercian woman greeted us -- asked us our names and told us that we would no doubt fall in love with San Miguel -- She said she visited 2 years ago from Buda, Texas -- fell in love with it -- went home -- got divorced -- sold her house -- went blonde -- and came back!
She recommended that we go 2 doors down to visit Toller Cranston's gallery -- "just ring any of the 3 bells
-- they'll show you around -- he's a wonderful artist -- it's like willy wonka on crack in there"
We nervously went down the street -- rang the bell and then announced ourselves at Toller Cranston's house. Apparently Toller Cranston's a famous ice skater from Canada (who knew) -- he placed 3rd in 1976 -- Dad remembered him. We were greeted by Toller who proceded to show us to his gallery. Willie Wonka on crack is an understatement! Wall were covered by huge russian inspired paintings -- gold, rich reds -- deep blues as well as merry-go-round horses that have been painted and decorated with glass balls -- glown glass decorations -- all set in the most amazing jungle-like garden you've ever imagined.
Toller himself is a bit flamboyant -- very full of himself -- and enjoyed the opportunity to talk about his favorite subject -- he pointed out that Tara Lipinski retired from skating at 15 -- he skated until he was 50 -- "I'm the Jurrassic Park of Skating" -- if THAT's not the quote of the day -- I don't know what is!
We actually had to make an excuse to escape -- he showed us all around is 16th century e
state -- it was quite an experience.
From there we went back through the park and eventually (after a few wrong turns) found our way back to the Jardin. Dad and I had lunch at the Posada de San Francisco -- a restaurant too expensive for me in the 1980's -- it was still breakfast (at 11:45) in San Miguel and we had a wonderful meal -- total cost including tip $16.16. -- We'll be back with Mom!
Dad declared himself done in and we made our way back home. I've made a video of the ride up the horrible hill -- it's a little 'blair witch' it's so shakey -- but you get the idea.
Wish you were here
Added May 27, 2009 -- my Dad pointed out that I was overly kind about Toller Cranston -- he was a total tool -- his comment when he heard we were from Texas "hmm -- you look like you're from Texas" --
Mom is feeling much much better today -- but decided one more day at home was called for. So Dad and I decided to go on a photo safari. Dad had some insight into what I needed to do to make sure the telephoto shots weren't so blurry -- I needed to hold my breath to make sure that the camera doesn't shake -- time to test the theory.
We first went to take a picture of the stairway just up the alley -- I've been down it once -- it's a little like the stairs you encounter in Mesa Verde -- narrow -- sandy -- slippery -- and every one a different height. I went down some small part of it -- but then took an opportunity to return to the main street -- I was too afraid I would get permanently lost.
So -- off on the Safari -- Dad and I went down the now boringly famous hill -- and worked our way past the market to El Jardin. We decided to stop at a cafe for a bottle of water (Dad) and a hot chocolate (me) -- Mexican hot chocolate is the best -- it has that rich chocolate (not cocoa) taste -- with a hint of cinnamon -- this also had a little bit of a peppermint taste (very faint) and a slight aftertaste of cloves. I'll spend weeks trying to recreate it! I also ordered what has to be the worst piece of apple strudel ever made (soggy -- filling tasted like dirt -- really foul).
We worked out way through some of the ritizer parts of San Miguel where Spanish disappeared altogether.
BTW --what's the deal with all the weird poodle-mix dogs in San Miguel -- either ther
e are dozens of them -- or one of them is stalking us -- While we were in the american-expat section of San Miguel we came across a gorgeous villa -- where an amercian woman greeted us -- asked us our names and told us that we would no doubt fall in love with San Miguel -- She said she visited 2 years ago from Buda, Texas -- fell in love with it -- went home -- got divorced -- sold her house -- went blonde -- and came back!She recommended that we go 2 doors down to visit Toller Cranston's gallery -- "just ring any of the 3 bells
-- they'll show you around -- he's a wonderful artist -- it's like willy wonka on crack in there"We nervously went down the street -- rang the bell and then announced ourselves at Toller Cranston's house. Apparently Toller Cranston's a famous ice skater from Canada (who knew) -- he placed 3rd in 1976 -- Dad remembered him. We were greeted by Toller who proceded to show us to his gallery. Willie Wonka on crack is an understatement! Wall were covered by huge russian inspired paintings -- gold, rich reds -- deep blues as well as merry-go-round horses that have been painted and decorated with glass balls -- glown glass decorations -- all set in the most amazing jungle-like garden you've ever imagined.
Toller himself is a bit flamboyant -- very full of himself -- and enjoyed the opportunity to talk about his favorite subject -- he pointed out that Tara Lipinski retired from skating at 15 -- he skated until he was 50 -- "I'm the Jurrassic Park of Skating" -- if THAT's not the quote of the day -- I don't know what is!
We actually had to make an excuse to escape -- he showed us all around is 16th century e
state -- it was quite an experience.From there we went back through the park and eventually (after a few wrong turns) found our way back to the Jardin. Dad and I had lunch at the Posada de San Francisco -- a restaurant too expensive for me in the 1980's -- it was still breakfast (at 11:45) in San Miguel and we had a wonderful meal -- total cost including tip $16.16. -- We'll be back with Mom!
Dad declared himself done in and we made our way back home. I've made a video of the ride up the horrible hill -- it's a little 'blair witch' it's so shakey -- but you get the idea.
Wish you were here
Added May 27, 2009 -- my Dad pointed out that I was overly kind about Toller Cranston -- he was a total tool -- his comment when he heard we were from Texas "hmm -- you look like you're from Texas" --
No comments:
Post a Comment