The Unplanned Trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

   Sometimes the best trips are the ones that you did not plan out and just take off at the spur of the moment. Well, that's exactly what I did, I just went. Having a little time off of work I set off to the Greyhound bus station and bought a ticket to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the magical silver city I remember reading about in a Lonely Planet guidebook. Going by bus was a very easy way to travel Mexico because Greyhound has an agreement with the Mexican bus companies as they get lots of migrants going back to Mexico to see their families. The ride was very interesting and I got to see the sights and experience things and meet people I would not have if I was flying. I found the Mexican bus system to be excellent and in many ways superior to what we have in the U.S. The buses are top notch, they have fully reclining seats and show the latest American movies. The ride to San Miguel de Allende was mostly through the desert, although beautiful, it seemed like the ride never ended after travelling for more than a day.

   One day and four hours after setting out from New Orleans the long ride was finally over. I arrived at the perfect time as the sun was coming up. Exiting the bus station, a taxi driver asked me if I wanted a ride, but travelling with only a backpack I walked. After being on a bus for all that time, it was good to strech my legs. The bus station was about 2 miles outside of of the city center, and walking gave me a little time to take in my first sights of the city. Looking at the cobblestone streets and old colorful buildings I was just in awe at the city I've been dreaming about going to for years.

   Founded in 1542, San Miguel de Allende grew wealthy off of silver and was one of New Spain's most affluent cities, many of the buildings are well over 400 years old. The Mexican independence movement also has its roots there, and many of Mexico's founding fathers hail from the city. Juan Aldama and Ignacio Allende (the city's namesake) were born there. After World War II, American veterans discovered the wonderful city, and since then Americans have been flocking there. San Miguel has one of the largest population of Americans living in Mexico outside of Mexico City.

   Much of the history of the city took place around the plaza. The main tree shaded plaza is surrounded by charming buildings with balconies and is where a very beautiful church is located. The Parish Church of San Miguel is an extraordinary piece of architecture built by a self taught indigenous mason using photos from Europe as the inspiration for its pink Gothic facade. It is one of the many churches that dot San Miguel's skyline. you can see them good from the viewpoint outside of town.

   The main market was very interesting. The stalls were close together and the vendors were selling everything from produce to pottery to silver. When I was walking the maze I truly felt I was in another world, like being in a Middle Eastern bazaar. Working up an appetite, I had some quesadillas with some agua de melon (cantaloupe juice) before setting out to escape the city because no matter how wonderful the city is I need some breathing space. I made my way to the Charco del Ingenio on the outskirts of town. The Charco del Ingenio is a nature preserve that is involved with the conservation of the local wildlife and cactus. At last I found the breath of relief I needed. Walking through the trails I encountered a canyon with an amazing viewpoint. It was one of the highlights of the trip. I would highly recommend the reserve for anyone looking to take a breather from the city.

   I could go on writing all night about the splendors of San Miguel de Allende. The cobblestone streets, old homes, Charco del Ingenio, and most of all, the people are what makes San Miguel a wonderful place. I have the feeling I will be back there someday on another 'random trip', God willing.

Guanajuato, the True Gem of Mexico

    In all my travels if there is one place I wish I would have spent more time in, it's Guanajuato, Mexico, a unique place that is worlds away from how the American media portrays Mexico. Guanajuato is a true hidden charm, its almost like someone transplanted a city from Spain in the middle of the Mexican highlands.

   Guanajuato is rich in silver and was founded in 1554 by the Spanish to mine the precious metal. located in Central Mexico in the state with the same name, Guanajuato is over 6,000 feet in altitude set in narrow valleys. Staying in nearby San Miguel de Allende, the bus ride to Guanajuato was very interesting. I enjoyed the desert scenery and seeing the interesting people boarding from the local ranches to go to the city.

   Unlike many Mexican cities which are set on the grid pattern, the city planners had to set the city streets with the lay of the rugged land, building the streets and roads around the valleys and hills. The streets were a pleasure to walk around and were impossible to get lost on, because if I found my way to a dead end alley, all I had to do was walk downhill to the city center.

       The narrow alleys in the hills were very interesting to walk, almost like a maze. I walked them for a couple of hours, not because I was lost, but because I was amazed that I was in a unique place, even from other places in Mexico. After walking for a while, I worked up an appetite, and being an adventurous eater, I decided on the local market because that is the best place in a Mexican city to sample the local cooking. The market itself was interesting, it was a two story building built in the early 1900's with handicraft vendors towards the walls outside and food vendors towards the middle. There was so much to choose from among the food vendors, but I settled for pork tacos and guava juice all for about 30 pesos (under $3).

    After I got my fill at the market, I boarded the cable car that takes you uphill to the best viewpoint in the city. The top view was amazing as you could see the whole city center and surrounding hills. I stayed there for about 30 minutes, snapping pictures and just gazing at the city. Instead of taking the cable car back down for the return trip, I decided to walk down, figuring I would take my time to savor the sights. I took a stairway down and wandered down a narrow maze of streets and seen on the little map I had that I was near Callejon de Beso (Alley of the Kiss). The Callejon de Beso is an alley that is so narrow that two houses on opposite sides almost touch at the balconies. There is only about a two foot gap. The Callejon is a local legend. It is fabled that a local aristocrat's daughter fell in love with a poor miner and met their tragic ends there.

   Guanajuato is in the historic heartland of Mexico and it is in the region where many of the ideas for independence from Spain comes from. You can feel not only the history there, but experience a living culture that is unique. I would highly recommend if anyone wants to experience the 'real Mexico' to make Guanajuato one of the main stops. It is a wonderful place and is truly Mexico's gem.

     

Bicycling on the Bayou

   Sometimes the best way to experience a place is to go out with absolutely no plans at all. That's what I did. I just hopped on my bike and started peddling with no intentions of going anywhere in particular. My hometown of Golden Meadow, Louisiana is perfect for riding, There's a sidewalk lining the main road for the whole length of the town with views of the bayou, old houses and shrimp boats. I rode to where the sidewalk ended and I almost turned around but being that the weather was clear I just kept on going. Thirty minutes later I made it to the old pontoon bridge in Galliano and got a few good pictures in.

   At that point I thought "should I turn around"?, but I didn't. I figured I would just keep on going and enjoy the nice weather. Beats sitting in front of the tv or computer. Peddling for another two miles I seen some gray clouds forming and it started to sprinkle. Being at the right place at the right time, I was near the South Lafourche Library in Galliano. If I had to be stuck somewhere, the library was the perfect place being the bookworm I am. I got to rest and read a book and also see the local museum. The museum had exhibits about local history, model shrimp boats, and old pictures of the community. One exhibit had pictures of Leeville, a community half an hours drive south located in the marsh and open water. The old pictures had orange groves, woods, and a thriving town scene. It is kind of hard to believe that Leeville was once like that. Coastal erosion really took it's toll on the wetlands of Louisiana.

 

   There was a couple of times where I almost turned around but was glad I didn't because if I would have I wouldn't have experienced the bayou, seen shrimp boats or met the old friends that I haven't seen for over 10 years. I wouldn't have went to the library or museum. Instead I would have just watched tv and miss out on experiences my unique hometown has to offer. I would encourage anyone to take a break from their every day plans and just go out on a bike with absolutely no plans to make it to anywhere. Do it wherever you may live. Just go, you won't regret it.

   

   

Aquarium of the Americas: More Than Just An Aquarium.

   I live about 60 miles south of New Orleans and have traveled many places across the country, seen amazing places in Mexico and Costa Rica, but I must admit there is some amazing stuff practically in my own back yard. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans is one of those amazing places that will leave you in awe and have you enjoying it more than you would have expected. It is an excellent place to take a friend or a relative for a trip out of the ordinary.

  Located on the Mississippi River near the French Quarter, the aquarium is situated in a glass building that houses a rainforest, many aquariums, and an Imax theater. When you think of an aquarium, a simple massive tank comes to mind, but it is much more than just that, more than just fish. Animals such as otters, alligators, frogs, pinguins, owls, anacondas, and parrots can be found. It is more like a zoo in the way it has its exhibits, which include: Carribean, Amazon, Gulf of Mexico, and Mississippi River. My personal favorites are the Amazon and Gulf of Mexico exhibits.

   The Amazon exhibit was the the highlight of the aquarium, it was truly amazing and it gave you the feeling of being in the middle of the rainforest in spite of being located in a city of over a million people. Under the glass dome a trail leads through waterfalls, tanks with giant catfish, tropical plants and rock formations. The exhibit had many species of catfish as well as a tank with smaller more familiar fish as many of those species such as tetras are popular aquarium fishes at home.

   New Orleans is well renowned for being a unique place, it's the place that you can come back to and experience something totally different even if you go to same place. The aquarium is one of those places, a true gem in the Big Easy. To find some good information about the aquarium, check out the Audubon Institute's page: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/ and see what you can discover at the amazing Aquarium of the Americas.

The Tropical City of Tuxpan, Mexico.

  When you think of a tropical vacation destination, what places come to mind? The Pacific Islands? The tropical giant Brazil? Costa Rica? Places in Africa? How about closer to home? Mexico. That's right, Mexico. The tropical stuff is closer to the United States than most Americans realize. Just a 12 hour drive (or bus ride) south of the border is the state of Veracruz. Many Americans have the image of Mexico stuck in their heads of Mexico being a desert, and that's the way it is in many parts, but there is another side, the green tropical side. Unlike the rest of Mexico, the state of Veracruz stays for most part green during the dry season. It is full of sugarcane, mangoes, papayas, bananas and other tropical fruits.

   A steamy, industrial oil port, the city of Tuxpan is off the radar for many American travelers and even many Mexicans are not aware of what Tuxpan has to offer. I found that the beaches for most part were clean and the lively city center offered an off the tourist trail experience. The greatest treasure, however is the people, I encountered some interesting characters there. I've been many places in Mexico and I can say that people from Veracruz state are some of the most lively and friendly in Mexico.

 

   When thinking about Mexico it is easy to think about problems with drugs and illegal immigration, but Mexico is so much more than that, it is truly an amazing place, if one sees nothing but problems, they miss out on the things that make it a wonderful country.

Golden Meadow, Louisiana: A Little Village on the Bayou.

   In starting a blog, one may think of what would be the best topic for a first post. I have decided to make it about my hometown, Golden Meadow, Louisiana. Golden Meadow is located on Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana in Lafourche Parish and has an interesting history behind it. It has a population of about 2,700 and the people are mostly of French descent. English was not widely spoken there before the 1950's and the old French dialect can still be heard by the older generation. Golden Meadow is truly a world apart even from other Louisiana communities.

   Located about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, Golden Meadow is a fairly isolated community, in a sense it is like an island. It's an island located in the wetlands that abounds in life. You don't even have to try to catch a good sized fish like a red drum or a speckled trout, the water abounds with them. Fishing is a way of life in this community not just for recreation, but for a way of living. Even though the fishermen do not get the price they used to, many still make a good living fishing shrimp, crabs, oysters to this day.

Shrimp boats.

   The town has a close knit village atmosphere and is a place where everyone seems to know everyone. Surrounded by marsh, there was limited amount of space to build the community over time, so the people build their homes and businesses lining the bayou. Everything is close together and never more than a 15 minute bike ride away, lots of times, I don't even bother getting in my truck to go where I want to go if the weather's nice.

Many of the buildings were build in the oil boom of the 1930's.

  This unique place has a rich history and is one of the few places that is not really on anyone's radar even in the Information Age of the 21st Century, that is slowly changing though. About 25 miles south is a massive deep water port being developed for the offshore oil drilling industry. Port Fourchon is bringing changes and prosperity to this little place as many of the people have businesses that are related to the port. As time progresses, will the port bring massive changes to Golden Meadow, or will it it simply supplement what makes it a unique place? Golden Meadow has an uncertain but bright future ahead in my opinion.

                                  Work boats servicing the oil field in Port Fourchon.