Our first short visit - ideas and meeting up

Hi Joe and Nancy,

Welcome to Expat.com!

Thank you for this introduction.

Could anyone share with us places where we might meet some of you living in SMA to visit with ???

Hi Joe and Nancy, I think you will LOVE San Miguel. For sure, you will want to just hang out in the main square (the Jardin Principal). There are several little cafes that ring the square, and these are great places to people watch. I'm sure there will be much going on there during the Day of the Dead festivities. There is also an adjacent festival going on at this time called La Calaca, and you should check their site for specific arts events.

For breakfast/lunch, I would check out a great place called Cafe Contento (close to the Jardin), the address is Hernandez Macias #72. The guy that runs this place is a U.S. expat, and a super nice guy. You're bound to strike up a conversation with someone at one of the other tables.

Another little place for breakfast (a bit of a hole in the wall) is Juan's Cafe (very inexpensive, good food here for breakfast). Located at Relox #37. Juan's is an in the know favorite with expats, because Juan sells current film DVD's here for dirt cheap.

You'll also want to go to the rooftop bar of the Rosewood Hotel, this is a wonderful place to have a drink, and it has a lovely view of the town. They also have an amazing spa on site, if you really want to pamper yourselves for a few hours!

I have some interviews with local SMA expats that you might want to check out also.

I hope you have a great trip, and, I bet you fall in love with the place, like everyone does!

Saludos,
David

Here some suggestions.....Check out the online ex-pat newspaper Atencion. Here is a link.... http://www.atencionsanmiguel.org/
Particularly Que Pasa and the calendar for what is going on each week. Another source for what is going on....
http://viaorganica.org/calendario/

Regarding Day of the Dead...there are several Catrina parades. You can even get involved if you have a costume. One of them starts at the Hotel Rosewood. I suggest visiting the local cemetery ( it sounds creepy but well worth the effort...if not just for photo opportunities) There will be special altars  erected around the central square and around town.
Meeting people is very easy. Hang out in the jardine....go to a newcomer's meeting, visit Hank's bar (on Hidalgo) on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. There are several groups that advertise meetings in Atencion.
Hope this helps
C. Hammond