By Sal Guarino
I could easily write several follow-ups to my last article about the little things I love about San Miguel. The more I have been thinking about it, the longer the list has grown. Funny how the mind works, right? Receiving feedback from some of you has also helped round out my joyful thoughts on the matter, so thank you for sharing! Now back to reveling in more treasures of life in San Mike.
I love how entering a structure in Centro—whether it’s a house or business—is always an endeavor of mystery. The creative and practical use of very old structural designs often adapted with interesting and perhaps anachronistic remodeling efforts frequently produces surprising and beautiful layouts. I have been enchanted by so many of our unique interiors.
I am appreciative of the fact that the closest rooster to our home in Centro is just far enough away so that its boisterous shrieks are only faintly detectable after I am awake, and not the reason for being awake. After all, I am still a gringo in the early phases of adjusting to frequent fireworks and random late-night music at high decibels.
I am also grateful that there is an ample supply of willing and dedicated workers. Since not every eager jack-of-all-trades’ promise that he “can do everything around the house, including electric” comes to fruition, having others available to pick up the slack comes in handy. I can’t fault some ambitious overpromising from time to time, even if my kitchen lights are flickering at the moment.
While perhaps more reflective of Mexican cultural norms than San Miguel in particular, there are several other prevalent aspects of life here I deeply appreciate. I am moved by both the energy and chivalrous comportment of many couples. Connected pairs frequently stroll hand-in-hand with a sense of humility about their attachment. While rarely over-the-top in their demeanor, they are obviously comfortable and unapologetic for their open affection. How simple, warm, and refreshingly romantic! While extoling the concept of chivalry today or even making a faint positive reference to it is often met with revulsion by a rather large swath of estadounidenses who stand at the ready to attack it, along with many traditions, observing it here is a breath of fresh air, a positively reinforcing reminder that playing a role, so to speak, needn’t be a sign of oppressive patriarchy, gender inequity, or any of a dozen other overused or misapplied concepts currently trending al norte.
Politeness and the default use of manners is also heartwarming. Perhaps being addressed as caballero or hearing para servirle or provecho is sometimes merely an obligatory gesture uttered by a worker to a customer, yet I hear a highly authentic ring in those words, a palpable genuineness that makes me feel regarded and just plain good.
As I immerse myself more deeply into Mexican culture and the subculture of San Miguel, I hear a lot about what’s wrong with San Miguel too. Claims that its gentrification will be or already is the cause of its demise, having too many gringos here, and irresponsible development are a few of the more common laments. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, yet something bigger seems to be ultimately guiding the energy and destiny of San Miguel, elevating and unifying its increasingly diverse spirit and timeless ethos.
Within the span of just one hour after sitting down with my wife and a few friends the other night on a terraza of a popular restaurant in Centro known for serving its food, drinks, and entertainment with flair, we heard a Mexican singer croon “New York, New York,” a stunning violinist in a bright red dress whirl through the crowd while playing an upbeat European classic, and were handed out lit sparklers, while the entire waitstaff began clapping slowly in rhythm to a pop ballad that quickly and effectively tugged on all of the diners’ heartstrings. We soon joined in the unannounced and well-orchestrated moment of electric camaraderie among strangers. Entranced and fully enjoying the moment, no one seemed to care about what ills San Miguel may be suffering or how it might be headed for gringo-tainted mediocrity and all the rest of it. Nah. We were enjoying a little something special in a very special place. And who doesn’t love doing that?
Sal Guarino
Born in Brooklyn, NY, now settled in Centro with his Mexican wife, Sal brings a rich set of life experiences to the table. “SALudos de San Miguel!” shares his joy for living through a lens of gratitude and positivity here in San Miguel. Sal’s first book “SALutations!” was published in 2018. Contact: salguarino@gmail.com.
