Musical Charm

On Sunday San Miguel was oozing with musical charm. It started in the main plaza. While sitting reading our kindles suddenly the church bells started pealing like crazy. We had noticed that there were a lot of mariachis in the jardin just standing around so we thought there was going to be an evening concert of some kind and the bells were signaling the start of the concert. (Bells ring constantly in San Miguel so it is hard to know what they are signaling, if anything.) I then heard hoofs pounding on the cobblestone street in front of the church and looked up to see a beautiful horse drawn white carriage carrying a bride and groom. I was not alone as I jumped up from my park bench to run across the street with my camera ready. As the pair began to exit their carriage I turned and saw another bride and groom who had just come out of the church. They were being serenaded by a large mariachi band. The crowd gathered around them and began to sing. I felt like I had stepped into the filming of the Mexican version of Mama Mia, but I did not see any movie cameras. The newly married couple came down the steps to the street and got into a cute little red truck parked next to the horse drawn carriage and drove off. Bride and groom #2 then took their turn up the steps heading for the church doors. A different group of mariachis encircled them before they entered the church and the crowd again began to sing. The church is the very one I sent a picture of in an earlier blog and my daughter-in-law, Joanna, assures me when you click on the photo it does enlarge. I was very tempted to squeeze my way into the church but I figured Harry would wonder what the hell happened to me so I didn't.

On our way to dinner that night as we neared the restaurant, we heard more singing. A large group of people were slowly walking down the middle of the street towards us. The group was led by a very old VW Beetle followed by a little donkey who was decorated from head to tail in flowers. I only wish I had had my camera. This is my kind of place!