Guanajuato or San MIguel de Allende
 

I am a well traveled college professor interested in the "off the beaten path" and exotic, but I like creature comforts as well. I would like to attend a Spanish language school during the week of Oct.31 -Nov.4.
Guanajuato or San Miguel de Allende?
I would welcome any recommendations and advice.
Thanks
AGO

La Puertacita Hotel
Santo Domingo 75 Col. Los Arcos, San Miguel de Allende, GTO

I stayed at this hotel about two years ago. The hotel arranged for private Spanish language classes for me. The instructor was excellent and very well versed in Mexican history and culture. Her sessions with me were geared to my pace and were very good. The hotel is slightly out of town and very quiet. The room was large and well appointed. It was kept spotless. The food was good and I took several meals there. The hotel grounds are gorgeous and well maintained. I walked into San Miguel de Allende each day and found it a marvelous spot.

San Miguel is charming and fun, but not so "off the beaten path." If that's your main criteria, I'd opt for Guanajuato - another fabulous city (and a university town) and slightly more "off the beaten path." Have you ruled out Oaxaca? I did a Spanish school there last year (Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca) - loved the school and the city. Oaxaca has lots to offer - local art/crafts, indigenous culture, civilized city, great food. I was choosing among the same cities and am glad I chose Oaxaca, even though I love the others as well. Let me throw another favorite of mine into the mix:
Morelia!! Beautiful, sophisticated university city, not as much on the gringo path. Maybe a 4-5 hr. bus ride from Mex City. Easy cab ride to nearby Patzcuaro and other villages where you'll find more indigenous culture/art, etc. If I go back to Mex for more Spanish, I'll go there next. We loved that city! Really you can't go wrong with any of these four -- you'll really enjoy it.

ago,
I think your individual "needs" will dictate which language school: beginning, advanced, intense, fun, business, technical, etc?
Both cities are wonderful.
If you decide to visit SMdA, I can give you personal experiences.
M

And you're there for the Day of the Dead . . . don't forget to compare the local celebrations and factor that into the mix.

Thanks everyone, but I am still undecided. Because I am a woman traveling alone(and I was held up at gunpoint in Antigua,Guatemala last year) I am looking for a place that's safe but not too Gringo-ish. In terms of school-I am very much a beginner looking for private instruction 3-4 hrs. daily with a fun and inventive teacher. I would actually like to be out of the classroom much of the time, learning with her/him while walking, shopping or sitting at a cafe.
So, any other thoughts?
Thanks again,
Ago

At the "intense" immersion end, www.ahaspeakspanish.com
and their individual instructors: Domitila, Anamaria, Javier and Karla are highly regarded.
If you have a FM3 Visa, they'll give you a 25% discount.
Check www.warrenhardy.com and his free on line games as well.
M

Dear mikemo and everyone:

It seems that the language school is almost secondary to my quandry. Which of the 2 cities has more interesting things to do, better shopping, more local flavor, where is "The day of the dead " celebrated more authentically?
Any recommendations for a great hotel, centrally located, in weither city?
Thanks again,
Ago

ago,
You should visit the forums on www.tripadvisor.com for a real "feel" for the area.
Both cities are in the state of GTO. 94 kms distant. A cab from BJX to a centro Gto. hotel may cost maybe $30. US. The door to door shuttles to SMdA are $23. - $25. US pp. Both + a $280.(MXN) departure tax from the a/p, but not the return - if there are 6 folks on the shuttle, you may split the tax.
Shopping - well 'ya gotta know what you want and where to go.
Por exemplo, on the way to Gto. on Wednesday, we stopped at the home of Esteban Valdez and bought some of his pieces for housewarming gifts for a fxn of retail - very remote and hard to find if you don't speak Spanish -albeit only 5 or 6 km from SMdA. His folk art is in the $50. - $100.(MXN) range at his house.
Same day, in the mountains east of Gto. I finally found a great 1 M cantera St. Francisco for about 10% of what I might have paid in SMdA.
As you'll read on trip advisor,there are many great hotels in all price ranges here, and el dia de los muertos is a mostly family event which is played out in the cemeteries, homes and some businesses. It's all pretty authentic and a bit macabre for many gringos.
M

Dear everyone:

Thanks for your help. I think I have decided to stay in SMA for the weekend, and head out to GTO to study Spanish for the week. Any ideas as to private Spanish teachers in GTO? I would like someone who is fun and creative.
Also, MIKEMO- could you please tell me a bit more info on these wonderful shopping opportinities on the road between SMA and GTO?
AGO

Ago,
Unfortunately, much of the interesting local stuff is heavy (cantera) and/or bulky and fragile (Talavera), etc. and expensive to ship.
E-mail me at [email protected] and I'll try to give you some specific recommendations.
There is a wonderful amber shop here in SMdA. The owner's lectures are like a graduate course. He gets his amber from the Indios in Chiapas and personally visits all the mines. He has some red, green and blue amber in various forms which are stunning.
M