novias

I have been to Antiqua and it is beautiful and enchanting; a must if you have a few days in Guatemala. It does not, however, have the same number of accomodations, restaurants, or shops. There are some fine jewelry shops and a few galleries, and it is a wonderful city to explore on foot (as is San Miguel), but SMA offers a much wider array of dining, lodging, and shopping establishments.

mikemo

Weber6560,
My sons spent many holidays and vacations in the Spanish language schools in Antigua and have many good
friends in/from Guatemala.
It's a lot safer than it was several years ago, but the investment-driven real estate situation and the influx of gringos are similar to SMdA.
Air fares are significantly higher to GUA from DFW.
That said, you would certainly enjoy either for a short vacation visit or a longer stay for a language school.
If your interests are in shopping, well, I cannot help, as I commission Artists whose work is virtually guaranteed to increase exponentially.
A simple way to get a real feel for any area is to contact a real estate agent (full disclosure - I dislike them as much as academics and politicians and have NO financial involvement) for a one or two day "tour" of the area you may visit.
They might even buy you lunch - Nah!

emd

I have been to Gaunajuato also. I am saying the following in all seriousness: I wish they were known for something other than those mummies. It seems everyone goes there to see the mummies. It's like they have taken on a life of their own. They are on postcards, books, etc. There is more to the town than the mummies.
The architecture is amazing. It is my favorite Mexican city for colonial acrhitecture. The university there is a good example- just amazing. Very nice public spaces where outdoor concerts take palce, seemingly spontaneously (we just seemd to stumble upon mariachis and even a group of troubadours in Spanish costume). There are balconies everywhere, and that famous street where the balconies are so close you can lean out the window and kiss someone on the balcony on the other side of the street. Lots of free concerts around the University area; also in the Jardin Union, where different groups will travel from restaurant to restaurant playing for patrons tips. The streets curve like mazes- it was hard to find our way back to anything we had seen a few blocks back. Great to just walk and walk and walk. The colors of the buildings and doors are so varied, it's like one big rainbow.
This whole discussion is making me miss living in Texas, where I was so close to Mexico. We could hop on the very inexpensive train w/sleeping caras in Laredo and be in Mexico City the next morning.
And LOTS of church bells in Guanajuato- I think even more than in San Miguel.

mikemo

emd,
The new mayor of SMdA has restricted Church bells and other early AM noise (dogs and cock a doodles), so we now may sleep to 7:00 or 8:00 AM on many mornings.
Firecrackers (big and loud - where do they buy those?)are another matter, and those may start at 4:00 AM on many holidays/Fiestas.
M

loveopera

While the best of French or Chinese cooking are found in restaurants, the best of Mexican food is home cooking, especially in Bahia region where San Miguel is located. Anything you find in restaurants anywhere in Mexico is a pale imitation, with the exception of carnitas(pork cooked in its own fat). Try to get invited to a rich Mexican house who has an old cook for comida, then you'll know what I'm talking about. Restaurants use tortillas from shops, and well....There's nothing like those thin tortillas delivered every morning to your home in San Miguel de Allende. Short of that Oaxaca has the best Mexican food. I'm still trying to find the recipe for yellow mole I had there years ago.

stockexchanger

Mikemo hello...
I noticed in one of your postings that you are a physician.
My husband is also a physician (primary care) and is fluent in Spanish, but would love to brush up on his "medical spanish" while we are visiting during the week of Dec. 17th. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Donna

mikemo

stockexchanger:
Hola Donna,
I spent 4 weeks in Spanish Language school in Aug/Sept.
There was a flyer in the internetsanmiguel office/cyber cafe for a "Medical Spanish Language" course or courses, but I just checked their web site and struck out. Perhaps you'll be more sucessful.
You might also e-mail Patrick, but he is not terribly inclined to answer e-mails. Feel free to mention our names (Louise and Mike on Reloj).
Mike

mikemo

stockexchanger:
As a retired radiologist, I dictated reports for 35 + years and cannot spell (successful).
Many Community Colleges in TX offer adult medical Spanish classes at different levels.
Also, many programs in San Miguel may be closed over the "holidays".
M

stockexchanger

Hi Mikemo....who is Patrick? I may have missed some other posts.
I did find "San Miguel Medical Spanish" school which looks pretty cool, but I will have my husband look at it.
Thanks so much!
Donna

angela78

hello all,
Me and my husband are travelling from Uk to Mexico city beginning of September for 3 weeks.
We need to decide where to go, we don't want to stay in Mexico city. We want a bit of sightseeing, beach, shopping and chilling.. Not too touristic as we do prefer local things.
I know Mexico is huge but we wouln't mind going to 3-4 places for a visit. Any ideas please?!

Fra_Diavolo

My first idea is for you to start a new thread about *your* trip. This one is nine years old and is about Oaxaca and SMdA, which you may or may not want to visit.

alfonsogatito

Please notice--aside from the nasty tone of many of these comments--that these comments are about 9-10 years old. Not very helpful.

I think that you will enjoy either location. Personally, I would suggest that you might enjoy San Miguel de Allende.

Little_Man

My goodness, this is an old thread! loled at my comment! Start a new one. (btw, my son loved Oaxaca on a trip last summer.) I think both places sound amazing.