14 - On the Road Again

El mundo exterior me deprime
por Patience Meliora Blythe
‘Lazos fuertes’ es un término usado por el Departamento de Seguridad de la Patria (DHS por sus siglas en inglés) para establecer parámetros para otorgar y denegar visas a los inmigrantes y a los no-inmigrantes. Indica que, para que a una persona le sea permitida la entrada a Estados Unidos con fines turísticos o migratorios, debe tener una cuenta bancaria, lazos familiares o empleo en su país de origen. Esos lazos, junto a una larga lista de otras estipulaciones son usadas por los oficiales de inmigración para determinar la elegibilidad para obtener una visa americana. De cualquier forma, al parecer, en nuestro clima político actual, los lazos sólidos no son suficientes para garantizar el acceso a los Estados Unidos, ni siquiera para una pequeña visita en Navidad, si tienes la característica siguiente: estableciste una relación personal o de cualquier otro carácter con una persona americana.

The Outside Would is Bringing Me Down
by Patience Meliora Blythe
“Strong ties” a term used by the Department of Homeland Security (or DHS, see www.dhs.org) to set up parameters for the granting and denial of visas to immigrants and non-immigrants declares that in order for a person to be granted entrance to the U.S. for tourist or immigration purposes, they must possess a bank account, family ties, or employment in their country of origin. These ties, along with a laundry list of other stipulations, are used by immigration officials to determine the eligibility of persons to be granted visas to the U.S. It seems, however, that in our current political climate, strong ties are in fact not enough to gain access to the U.S. even for a short Christmas visit, if you possess certain characteristics: namely an established relationship, personal or otherwise, with American persons.

On the Road Again
por Daniel Kandell
(Español) Hace casi 450 años atrás, los españoles hicieron un camino que sería la conexión de la Ciudad de México con los importantes pueblos mineros de Guanajuato y Zacatecas. El camino fue muy importante para los colonizadores españoles, pues representaba la arteria principal para su tesoro y capital del imperio. Este camino, conocido por la mayoría como Ruta de la Plata o Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, pasaba a través de San Miguel de Allende, entonces conocido como San Miguel el Grande. Eventualmente el Camino Real y el tráfico comercial, iría tan lejos al norte llegando hasta Santa Fe, Nuevo México, en el territorio actual de Estados Unidos. Al paso del tiempo, muchas partes de ese camino cayeron en desuso o se perdieron como resultado del progreso y del desarrollo. Se emplearon caminos alternativos, se construyeron vías rápidas, las propiedades cambiaron de dueños, se cultivó nuevamente la tierra y comunidades enteras crecieron sobre la antigua vía. Pero el camino que se perdió alguna vez, ha sido encontrado de nuevo.

On the Road Again
(English) About 450 years ago, a road was carved by the Spanish that would link Mexico City to the important silver mining towns of Guanajuato and Zacatecas. The road was crucial for the Spanish Colonizers, as it represented the main artery to their booty and the capital of their empire. This road, known to most as the La Ruta de la Plata or el Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, passed right through San Miguel de Allende, then known as San Miguel el Grande. The Camino Real and its trade of commerce would eventually stretch as far north as Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the present United States. Over the passage of time, many parts of the road were forgotten or lost due to progress and development. Alternate roads were used, highways were constructed, properties exchanged hands, land was cultivated and entire communities were raised upon the former road. But the road that was once lost has once again been found.

Keith Keller on
Cowgirls, Cowboys, and Tough Old Men
When people learn that I came to San Miguel in 1985 they will often ask if it has changed much.  I answer that it has and that apart form the traffic, I like it better.  There is more going on.  The short film festival is a good example.  The foreign population is young and active in the arts.  There are more galleries, more music, and places to see good movies.  The list goes on.

But as much as I like SMA now, I sometimes find myself missing the days when it seemed like most anything could and would happen.  Even then there was a staid community of gringos living up on Balcones going from cocktail party to cocktail party. Things were different downtown.  Things were less predictable.

Giving Thanks
by Stucco Steve
As us ex-pats once again hunch over the turkey, giblet gravy dripping from our collective cheeks and chins, let us not forget the spirit behind this special day - Giving thanks. When my Mexican friends ask me the meaning, significance or origen of this holiday, this is what I say. The European Pilgrims (whites) landed at Plymouth Rock and were welcomed by the indigenous Americans (redskins). The Pilgrims introduced new foods and helped with the technology of the day. The Indians helped tending the crops and were excellent hunting and fishing guides. When the fall crop came in both groups decided to share some of the harvest in a big fiesta. Both groups were thankful for the help given by the other. After the big party there was square dancing and liquor drinking and all was right with the world. It was so much fun it became a tradition.

An Ode to the Turducken
by Ran Scot
Once when I was just knee high to a grasshopper, I went to one of them big city malls. The memories that stuck most were how each shop smelt different, contrary to the overall smell of the outdoor markets out in the country. But the vision that struck me most was the wonder of the food court. Here a man could get any type of food done poorly from any part of the world in under five minutes. Not even the most decadent of Romans could boast of such a wonder.

So it was with little bewilderment that I first saw the Turducken rear its meat-laden head in the rural parts of Texas in the early 90s. But for those of you who have yet to see this debauched representation of the Thanksgiving meal, let me tell its legend.

Buenas y Felices Noticias
ANYÉL: sembrando semillas musicales
Todos los niños tienen un sentido innato de la alegría, respondiendo naturalmente a los sonidos musicales y al ritmo. Al usar sus voces como instrumentos, hacen una conexión con la música que da origen al gusto y al amor por la música que dura toda la vida. La educación musical temprana mejora el desarrollo de la creatividad, el lenguaje/vocabulario, la memoria, las habilidades motrices y la adaptación social (cooperar y compartir).


Good and Happy News
ANYÉL: planting musical seeds
All children have an innate sense of playfulness, responding naturally to musical sound and rhythm. With their own voices as instruments, they make a personal connection with music which creates an enjoyment and love of music that will last a lifetime. Early music education enhances the development of: Creativity, Vocabulary/language, Memory, Large and small motor skills, and Social adeptness (cooperation and sharing).