I’ve been in mid-Mexico, in the quaint and still-small town of San Miguel de Allende, since early December. We expats (Americans or Canadians living offshore) have invaded this place because it really still feels authentic and it really is colorfully-beautiful. But, we do crowd the place.
I arrived in the coldest time of the year, here in tbe mountains; and it’s high season, so finding a rental was likely to be tough. However, I’m moving into a very nice, two-bedroom apartment in a great neighborhood for a very reasonable rent in two weeks; all because of a random conversation with another expat. Meantime, I’m renting a bedroom and bathroom over a basket shop very close to the Central Plaza. Tiny, inexpensive, and friendly. But I haven’t even unpacked because I’m trying to settle down and live in real place. I’m getting there!
And the COLOR is just magnificent! But just take my word for it.
And this bust is of Stirling Dickinson, one of the first American Expats in San Miguel de Allende in 1937. I’m claiming him as my long-lost Uncle because my maiden name is Dickinson and he and my father were the same age and had New England in common. So why not?
Stirling Dickinson is honored here with this bust in the Instituto Allende, the highly-aclaimed Art School, one of three which he established; along with the Biblioteca, Library. He also established Baseball Teams, got the stadium built and privately helped many people. One way was through providing college sholarships for many San Miguel youth. He died at the age of 88 in 1998 and is still very lovingly remembered here.
The biography written about him by John Virtue is titled: “Model American Traveler”. Now that’s a good Expat!