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Outshined by mega-resorts like Cancun and Mazatlan, the central Mexican
cities that form the heart of Mexican colonial history and heritage
are often unknown to the average tourist. For students of the Spanish
language, this lower profile provides an opportunity to explore
the real Mexico that tourist trap resorts and border towns often
obscure. With a history rich in art, architecture, and revolution,
the Bahia region of Mexico offers a wealth of museums, historical
monuments, architectural masterpieces, and vibrant cultural events.
The jewel of this region is the national historic landmark town
of San Miguel de Allende. Serving as one of the picturesque
backdrops for "Once upon a Time in Mexico" starring
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Johnny Depp, San Miguel is an
ideal place to study Spanish. Though it's entirely possible to function
in San Miguel without a word of Spanish, the friendly nature of the
townspeople encourages visitors to fully embrace the local culture.
Festivals happen on a seemingly weekly basis, especially during autumn
when Independence Day, the running of the bulls, the Day of the Dead,
and other events merge into a non-stop series of energetic and noisy
celebrations. In contrast, daily life in San Miguel follows a slow
pace guaranteed to induce relaxation, and hours can be spent people-watching
in the main plaza, soaking in nearby hot springs, strolling through
cobblestone streets, and enjoying world-class art, music and cuisine. |
