The temperatures are rising in San Miguel and I am told that April and May are the warmest months here.  Spring is announced here with the blooming of the Jacaranda trees.  Masses of blue-lavender blossoms are visible throughout the city and I could not resist taking pictures from my roof deck with its 360 degree views.







But the warmth that I have been experiencing here has not just been the weather.  The Mexican people that I have been encountering daily have been gracious, friendly, and welcoming.  One heart warming incident took place in Mexico City when I was touring the excavation site of Templo Mayor where I observed a group of Mexican teenage girls taking pictures of each other with cameras and cell phones.  They approached me and I was ready to offer to take a group photo of them with their cameras, but , no, they wanted to have their pictures taken with me!  So, a bunch of lovely, young Mexican teenagers grouped around an over-weight, middle-aged, gringo for multiple photos.  Then I took a picture of them.  As they parted, they waved and with big smiles, shouted out in unison and in perfect English, "Welcome to Mexico."



I have also experienced the warmth of meeting new people, establishing connections, and forming friendships here.  Although I can not take the warm temperatures back with me to Rhode Island, I can take with me lots of warm memories.  And here are just some of the many people I will remember fondly and look forward to seeing next year.



I spent a fun day  with four printmakers, L-R: Marrisa, Linda, Silvia, Lou (below L) in Linda's beautiful roof top print studio.



Lou (left) a printmaker from Maine prepared a wonderful lunch for us.  On the right is Kathy, a writer and my Spanish study partner from last year.  We struggled and laughed a lot to get with the class.  I was happy to see her again this year - we had coffee in Starbucks where she was spending lots of mornings working on a new book.



It is always fun to show visitors around San Miguel and I enjoyed hosting Linda and Steven for a week.  We spent a couple of lovely evenings dining in rooftop restaurants with exceptional views and settings.  And taking ice cream breaks in the afternoons.





Here are Rose and Kathy, my neighbors from Toronto, who rented the apartment below me.  We've had many late afternoon chats while they were enjoying their patio and I was above on the small balcony off my kitchen. 
They have have been a good resource for restuarant recommendations.
 


This is Pat from Massachusetts and she has introduced me to her friends from Cape Cod who visit San Miguel regularly.  Pat and I spent a nice day together exploring Dolores Hildago and then she joined the group for the three day excursion to Mexico City.  She is a good travel buddy.



And then there are Gary and Jo, my studio landlords and friends.  The studio will be relocated next year and I look forward to making prints in a new, light filled setting with a view of a cactus garden from the window.

Now I am going to pack for home.  I have no immediate plans for future travel, but that won't last for long!