Our record of perfect flights the last three weeks was dashed yesterday and I guess we were overdue for some imperfection. We were delayed in Houston for three hours having to change planes after we had boarded because of mechanical problems. We then sat on the runway for over two hours because Houston had a spell of thunder showers and the queue for takeoff was a mile long. When we arrived in Leon a nurse dressed in green was pointing what looked like a gun at all the disembarking passengers. I guessed she must have been checking if any of us were running swine flu fevers. We had to fill out a form saying we were not sick and hand it to a doctor before we were able to go through customs. We had expected that the ride we booked to San Miguel would have left us stranded because we were so late but he has there waiting for us. It began to pour as we ran to the little van with our luggage.

The drive to San Miguel took over an hour and the scenery was beautiful. It was just before dark when we spotted the city lights ahead of us in the mountains. Our driver was excellent on the two lane road and there were no signs to watch for cows like in the Baja. That in itself was a great relief. Once in the city our driver dropped us off at the place we were supposed to get our keys to the condo but no one answered the door so we were standing on the curb for several minutes figuring out what to do. A nice couple who lived on the street came to our aid and we got a taxi to the the condo manager's house. The cab felt like bottom was going to fall out after we loaded all our luggage in the taxi and took off on the hilly cobblestone streets to find the house. The cabby found the house and within a few minutes we were climbing the three flights up to the condo. The manager commented about all our luggage and I defensively explained we were on a five week journey and needed all this stuff. Some things never change and I was soon to learn I did not even have right shoes for these hills and streets.

The condo did not turn out to be the tiny place it looked like from the Internet pictures the owner sent us. It is too adorable for words. Rooftop garden views from the windows on each side and pristinely clean and cozy. The Irish couple who own the place have truly thought of everything. Even the sheets on the bed I swear must be 400 count Egyptian cotton. Though it was late, we hit the streets to find something to eat. Both of us decided we would not be wearing sandals anymore because of the hilly streets and cobblestones. I prayed I would not turn an ankle as we hailed a cab. The cabby took us to a cute outdoor restaurant where we had some wonderful food with flavors I have not yet experienced in Mexico. This place reminds me of New York where there is never a shortage of cabs. The cabs are old junker cars that careen up and down the hilly streets. I felt like I was in another world sitting at the cafe last night gazing at the two story houses with trees growing on the roof tops. I felt like I was in Italy, although of course I have never been to Italy so I am not really sure what that would feel like. We used our Spanish, but people spoke back to us in English. I decided that people wanted to practice their English and not that our Spanish is really bad. I guess English is the world language especially in places tourists frequent. Tomorrow we are going to unpack and then go and explore the city.

The photo is me today in front of our condo door after doing a little grocery shopping. On our explorations today we found the church pictured. It is neo-gothic 19th century and is the focal point in the town square.