My friend Julie and I headed over to El Charco del Ingenio the other day to get a much needed dose of Mother Nature and all her beauty.

The fee was 50 pesos per person (approximately $2.50 USD) and masks were required for entrance and if and when in close proximity to others.

A majestic wonderland of butterflies, waterfalls, cactus apples, green trails and the enchantment that the desert highlands of Central Mexico is, a visit to El Charco is not to be missed.

Safety at El Charco del Ingenio

For families with little ones or adventurous teens, it is highly recommended that no off-trail explorations are had unless under the watchful eye of an adult. In fact, the Charco rules state that minors are required to be accompanied by an adult at all times and with good reason. There are designated paths but also many areas that are not roped off and could potentially be quite dangerous. 

We have had such a wonderful rainy Summer season here in San Miguel de Allende, still continuing now into mid September that the water levels in the wetlands of Parque Landeta down to the Obraje Dam and La Presa are quite full…a much welcomed change after the dry months we had this past March through mid May. 

The panoramic views of San Miguel, the valley of the Rio Laja and the distant horizon of the Sierra de Guanajuato are just spectacular.

The variety of trees, shrubs and cacti from this semi-arid region are sure to delight, including this little treasure, titled “Mother-n-Law’s Chair”.

Birds at The Botanical Gardens

Starting in the rainy Summer season until the end of winter, aquatic, resident and migratory birds take refuge and nest on the vegetation-covered islands.

Two hours was not enough to explore this national treasure, and I will indeed be back!

For more information about El Charco del Ingenio (Botanical Gardens)~San Miguel de Allende, I highly suggest that you check out their very educational website and Facebook Page.

Have you been?

If so, would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below.

Saludos,

Katie O’Grady ☘️ 🇲🇽

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A question many of us Expats in Mexico are asked–Is Mexico Safe?–is one I understand but also admittedly grow tired of it.

Seeing the toxicity in the White House these days and the news channels that propagate fear, racism and all sorts of ugliness, it is no wonder some people question the safety–not just in Mexico–but all over this big blue globe that we humans inhabit. 

Fear Sells

The bigger, the bolder, the more horrific the headline, the more clicks and ad revenue.

Staying encapsulated in one’s own world, never traveling or adventuring outside the boundaries to experience new foods, people, music and cultures different from one’s own, certainly does not serve to cultivate a broadened and diversified view of life. It is that simple. 

Is this to say that bad things don’t happen in Mexico? Of course not. Bad things happen every single day, in every country of this world, sadly. Human free will–a reality since the evolution of man. 

Utopia, Where Are You?

We all want that utopic, safe place to live and raise our families.

Alas, there is no magic wand, elixir, or perfect answer to address one’s concerns about safety in the world, including Mexico.

Nonetheless, I will share with you my simple and clear position on this matter: 

• Use common sense and situational awareness everywhere you go.
• Limit night driving, know where you are going, map out your travels.
• Do not be flamboyant, rude, pompous, loud nor inebriated in public.
• Learn/speak the language–doesn’t need to be perfect, just make an attempt.
• Don’t hang out with the cartels, drug lords or mafia.
• Learn and respect the culture and customs of the country you are lucky enough to be a welcomed guest in and to call home.

Everyone must define the reality that what works best for them.

The following has been making its rounds on the internet regarding this hot topic of Safety in Mexico–perhaps you have seen it yourself. 

Gringo: Hi, where are you from?

Mexican: Hi, I’m from Mexico

Gringo: Ah! The land of Chapo Guzmán, narcos, marihuana, crime and extortion.

Mexican: I’m sorry, are you a drug addict or a TV junkie?

Gringo: No!!! Why?

Mexican: Because if you were an athlete or sports fan, you would have identified Mexico with Ana Guevara, Hugo Sanchez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Finito, Chicharito Hernandez, Canelo Alvarez, Rafael Marquez, etc.

If you were an educated person, you would have asked about the Aztec empire, the Mayan culture, the Olmecs or any other of the great Mesoamerican cultures.

If you were a well-traveled person you would have talked about our majestic archaeological sites, our tourist-friendly colonial cities, our megalopolis or our exotic beaches…the astonishing biodiversity of our rainforests, mountain ranges, deserts, conifer forests.

You could have identified Mexico with our great painters, Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco; our composers: Agustín Lara, Consuelo Velázquez, Armando Manzanero, Juan Gabriel Jose Alfredo Jimenez, our writers and poets: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Juan Rulfo, Octavio Paz, Juan José Arreola, Elena Poniatowska, Amado Nervo, Jaime Sabines; our inventors or scientists: Manuel Mondragón, Guillermo González Camarera, Luis Ernesto Miramontes; our cinematographers: Ismael Rodríguez, Emilio Fernández, Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Emmanuel Lubezki, and even Luis Buñuel, who, being originally from Spain, chose to adopt the Mexican nationality.

If you were a gourmand, you would have asked about Tamales, Cochinita Pibil, Mole, Adobo, Chilaquiles, Chiles en Nogada, Guacamole, Pan de Muerto, etc. Or our traditional beverages: Tequila, Mezcal, wines and beers.

However, I can see, the only thing you can relate to Mexico is the provider to American drug addicts.

I just want you to realize that México is a lot more than what ignorant people and fear-mongering media knows or chooses to propagate.

There are millions of honest Mexicans, who even without knowing you, will open the door to our homes, and that if you care to visit, you will love to get to know us and to visit us. Mexico is even more than I can possibly tell you!

Thoughts from Another Expat Friend

“It’s a complex and complicated issue. It appears that violent crime is on the rise, but it’s hard to know if that is true or if crime is simply more visible now. There has been a big push on social media the last year or two to report crimes and try to hold authorities accountable in a way that really never happened before. Everyone is certainly more aware of it than they were in the past. With the continued growth of Expat-popular areas and the ever-increasing income disparity, it’s not surprising that the situation is exacerbated.  Now, it’s probably worth noting that in just the past few months there was another mass shooting in New York and in San Francisco. And I read about travelers being murdered on a Canadian highway. I guess I’m starting to wonder if anyone is safe anywhere these days.”

My Final Thoughts on Safety in Mexico

I too see the alarming posts and articles on various media outlets and while I am not a Pollyanna with her head in the sand, I choose to limit my exposure to the news while staying as informed as necessary. 

Worthy of stating again, Common Sense, Cultural/Situational Awareness, Language Skills, Kindness and Respect truly are golden, anywhere in this big wide world.

Mexico is complex and layered, just like any other country, and we love her dearly. She is not for everybody, and that is just fine too. 

We all have to create the lives and make the decisions that sit best with us.

Saludos,

Katie

I welcome you to respectfully and thoughtfully participate in this conversation in the Comments section below. Thank you.  

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As the granddaughter of a former Chief of the US-Mexico Border, it is no small irony that I, along with my retired firefighter hubby and our eight-year-old twins–burnt out on the consumerism-centric, rat race grind of life in Southern California–would immigrate to Mexico to create our lives anew. 

Departing from San Diego with nothing but a car and trailer full of the “essential belongings” that remained after selling, donating and tossing the rest, we headed South!

Shortly after our arrival to San Pancho, Nayarit, we received our Permanent Residents cards–having begun the process stateside at our local Mexican Consulate and with the assistance of a highly reputable, Puerto Vallarta-based legal liaison. 

O’Grady Mugshots!

A DNA Kind of Love

From a very early age, perhaps even encoded in my genetics, I have had a deep love and respect for Mexico–her people, food and music…her allure and absolute reverence for community, history and tradition.

I often joke that if former lives exist, I was a salsa dancing latina in mine! 

Growing up just a half an hour away from the San Diego-Tijuana Border gifted me a bilingual/bicultural upbringing and thus an ability to move easily between both worlds. Speaking in both Spanish and English at school, work and play has always been my norm.

And without a doubt, my relationship with my Grandfather was one of the most significant influences in my love of and connection to Mexico. 

Grandpa, A.K.A. “Big Joe”~Chief of Us-Mexico Border

Always dressed impeccably in his signature crisp-collared Oxford shirt, ironed slacks and shined leather shoes–no matter the occasion–my “Big Joe” (as we affectionately referred to him) was a humble, bright, witty gentleman with no time or concern for nonsense. He was as tough as nails and lived his life to the fullest until the age of 94.

He adored me, and I him.

A Living History Book

Sitting in his living room overlooking Mission Bay, he would speak to me of his many adventures, of his life on our family’s dairy farm in Chula Vista, of the beautiful horses in his care, and how at the age of 14 he left his home to become a cowboy on the last rancho that spanned the US-American border. 

Family historians state that he was the “Paul Revere of Chula Vista” by warning the Otay Valley on horseback of impending rain that ultimately ended up bursting the Sweetwater Dam.

I would listen in awe, taking mental notes of these precious conversations, knowing that I was bearing witness to a living history book. 

We would drive down to Rosarito Beach on weekends for an early dinner at El Nido and I would marvel with pride and joy at my Grandfather’s ability to conduct himself so eloquently in both languages and cultures. Sitting in front of the open, wood-fired oven where quail and lobster tails would cook, my Grandpa turned the ordinary into magic.

His affinity for conversation, charisma, thoughtful ways and sharp sense of humor made for a dynamic mixture that simply attracted people to him. It felt good to be in his company and I was lucky enough to be his granddaughter. 

Although my Grandfather passed before I began my teaching career, I know that he would have been so very proud that I had chosen to go into a line of work that shares the beauty of the Spanish language and culture with the youth of today. 

Family Shenanigans

My Grandmothers Mary & Elizabeth also had their own fair share of South of The Border Shenanigans and their stories were nothing short of hilariously entertaining–truly like something out of an I Love Lucy Show! This picture is of the two of them (in the middle) on a day’s outing in Tijuana…I can imagine the laughter!  

Grandmary & Baba in The Middle. Can You Hear The Laughter?

Crossing The Us-Mexico Border

It comes to me as no great surprise that we find ourselves in a time when more and more people want to move to Mexico, looking not just for an escape from “politics” that defy reason and common decency, but for a reinvented, reinspired life where adventure is affordable and time and freedom are your most precious commodities. 

Life in Mexico WAKES you up from whatever slumber you might have previously found yourself in, RESETS your outlook and REMINDS you that true, mindful, engaged living results from paying attention and participating in a life of design.

I thank my beloved Grandfather for setting the bar high, for leading by example and showing me a love and respect for Mexico that is forever imprinted in my heart and has forever changed the trajectory of my life.

Mi Querido México, thank you for taking my family in, for welcoming us with open arms. These past eight years have been one heck of an adventure and we are better people for it. 

!Viva México!

~Katie 

Looking for an excellent read on US-Mexico Border Relations? Vanishing Frontiers: The Forces Driving Mexico and The United States Together  

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