For myself, I grew up in an U.S. Army family, and we spent seven years in what was then called "West" Germany. Even though we lived in Army housing, went to Army dependent schools, and shopped at the Commissary and PX, we also shopped and ate meals "on the economy" (in German stores), and when in Frankfurt, rode the "Strass" (short for "Strassenbahn", or streetcars) around the city, and when I was old enough to date took them on day trips up the Rhine River.
I feel those years in another country, on another continent, made me into a more worldly, tolerant, and accepting person than I would have been if my family had stayed in a small town on the South Dakota/Minnesota border surrounded by largely people I was related to by blood or marriage, or even lived in San Diego where Mom was from.
I don't know how "good" that was for the German people, though having American money flooding in from the military, as well as from civilians traveling, shopping, and eating out on the economy certainly didn't hurt Germany's recovery after WWII.
Great perspective. Yes, I think it changes people. But I guess one also needs to be *receptive* to the change. I do think there are people who travel and learn nothing, insisting only on having the existing beliefs confirmed.
Oh, I know! I have one brother who disliked Germany because he couldn't ride his bike everywhere he wanted to, another who's a Libertarian Conservative who was at least smart enough to learn to speak and read German when he worked for Siemens, a German company, and the third who's outright MAGA and claims the COVID-19 injection he got GAVE him COVID-19! 🤦♂️
The late Anthony Bourdain pointed out people like this often, looking at the tourists who refused to eat outside of the Western-style hotel buffets and only went on guided tours, and mocked them pretty mercilessly while chowing down on a street truck taco in Mexico City or having a beer and a beer and a bánh mì with President Obama in Vietnam.
Excellent! I was reluctant to go to San Miguel Allende - hearing that it was just full of gringos. But I'm glad we went. Although I heard so much English there, I was surprised to see so many Mexican tourists. I love being around Mexican tourist, they know how to have fun!
We have Mexican friends who have a second home there. They are retired school teachers - so not your typical rich people from Mexico City. They love the city. I enjoy seeing there post of where they go and what they do. I think they also enjoy hanging with all their gringo friends there.
I happy to hear that the influx of foreigners has been good for San Miguel. It is really a stunning city.
Thank you for doing the research! The presence of many relatively rich expats has surely changed the city, and it agree: not always negatively. I just wish that what the wealthy bring into the economy gets better distributed. Some locals benefit, but by far not everyone.
Lovely introspective article. I have really enjoyed your posts from this city. Mexico feels a million miles away to me in Ireland but you have brought it vividly to life, and Claire too. We see gentrification here in Ireland too, especially in the more beautiful towns such as Kenmare and Dingle in Kerry. Where there is a market for it there will always be seller and a buyer! 😕
For myself, I grew up in an U.S. Army family, and we spent seven years in what was then called "West" Germany. Even though we lived in Army housing, went to Army dependent schools, and shopped at the Commissary and PX, we also shopped and ate meals "on the economy" (in German stores), and when in Frankfurt, rode the "Strass" (short for "Strassenbahn", or streetcars) around the city, and when I was old enough to date took them on day trips up the Rhine River.
I feel those years in another country, on another continent, made me into a more worldly, tolerant, and accepting person than I would have been if my family had stayed in a small town on the South Dakota/Minnesota border surrounded by largely people I was related to by blood or marriage, or even lived in San Diego where Mom was from.
I don't know how "good" that was for the German people, though having American money flooding in from the military, as well as from civilians traveling, shopping, and eating out on the economy certainly didn't hurt Germany's recovery after WWII.
Great perspective. Yes, I think it changes people. But I guess one also needs to be *receptive* to the change. I do think there are people who travel and learn nothing, insisting only on having the existing beliefs confirmed.
Oh, I know! I have one brother who disliked Germany because he couldn't ride his bike everywhere he wanted to, another who's a Libertarian Conservative who was at least smart enough to learn to speak and read German when he worked for Siemens, a German company, and the third who's outright MAGA and claims the COVID-19 injection he got GAVE him COVID-19! 🤦♂️
The late Anthony Bourdain pointed out people like this often, looking at the tourists who refused to eat outside of the Western-style hotel buffets and only went on guided tours, and mocked them pretty mercilessly while chowing down on a street truck taco in Mexico City or having a beer and a beer and a bánh mì with President Obama in Vietnam.
Oy! It takes all kinds, I guess
Yeah, but why are they in my own family? 🤪
I'm so lucky my family are all dorky but raging progressives. Even the rural ones! 😂
Hold them close, for they are more precious than diamonds.
Excellent! I was reluctant to go to San Miguel Allende - hearing that it was just full of gringos. But I'm glad we went. Although I heard so much English there, I was surprised to see so many Mexican tourists. I love being around Mexican tourist, they know how to have fun!
We have Mexican friends who have a second home there. They are retired school teachers - so not your typical rich people from Mexico City. They love the city. I enjoy seeing there post of where they go and what they do. I think they also enjoy hanging with all their gringo friends there.
I happy to hear that the influx of foreigners has been good for San Miguel. It is really a stunning city.
I'm very very glad we went to!
Sounds like you saw San Miguel the same way that we did!
Thank you for doing the research! The presence of many relatively rich expats has surely changed the city, and it agree: not always negatively. I just wish that what the wealthy bring into the economy gets better distributed. Some locals benefit, but by far not everyone.
Absolutely true, but pretty much the way of the world everywhere for most of history...
This is true.
Well written. Lovely photos. So happy you found Sucre Bakery. Safe travel.
Thanks! And I’m glad we found Sucre too. Lovely place and people!
Great post about an important and complicated subject. Thank you!
Thanks for reading!
Lovely introspective article. I have really enjoyed your posts from this city. Mexico feels a million miles away to me in Ireland but you have brought it vividly to life, and Claire too. We see gentrification here in Ireland too, especially in the more beautiful towns such as Kenmare and Dingle in Kerry. Where there is a market for it there will always be seller and a buyer! 😕
Thank you very much, Lucy! (Loved Dingle, but I bet it's changed SO MUCH since we were there in 1996...)
Oh its a very popular area now. We generally avoid it during height of summer due to its busyness and inflated prices 😣
Unbelievable. It was EMPTY back then.
Good food for thought. Thanks Brent!
Thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed our article!
Thank you for a well- researched and fair analysis of San Miguel. It was a pleasure to read.