Its Mariachi music and smells of mouth-watering BBQ foods at Suryaluna Restaurant & Hostal tonight. Its our first day of Mexican Nites @ Suryaluna. We are turning the front into a Mexican Fiesta area starting this weekend. We are putting up pinata, setting up tables with mocajetes and fresh veges, decorating the walls...the works. We have Carne Asada, Ribs and Chicken BBQ in our special traditional Mexican marinade. We are serving our special asadas with our very special guacamole and salsas, freshly made beans and our very own fresh, hand-made tortilla. We make them from scratch. We buy fresh, season corn, boiling the corn, grinding it and shaping and frying it right at Suryaluna.
The response so far, considering its our first day has been quite good. People walking by are curious, lured in by the music and the wonderful smells. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow and great as days pass :)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Dia de la Revolucion: 20 Nov
It was a beautiful morning today. Not too cold and with the sun shining, there were literally hundreds of cute lil’ kids marching in a parade to celebrate Dia de Revolucion. The actual day for celebration is actually tomorrow but every year, kindergarten kiddies from schools all around San Miguel de Allende participate in the parade. Students and teachers dress up in ‘traditional revolution-wear’ and walk and dance and shout “Viva Mexico!” It was great fun watching them wave and laugh and poke at each other while they pass. The next blog will have photos we took of the parade, not 5 doors from our Suryaluna Restaurant & Hostal.
Mexicans remember and celebrate the Revolution of 1910 to 1920 every year on the 20th of November. This day is commonly referred to as el veinte de noviembre. On this day, students dress-up as their favourite revolutionist and take part in the parade. The day is marked with parades and civic ceremonies throughout the country. There is a large parade in Mexico City's Zocalo, as well as speeches and official ceremonies. In cities and towns throughout Mexico, just like San Miguel de Allende, school children dressed as revolutionaries participate in local parades.
The Mexican Revolution (Revolucion Mexicana) was a civil movement and then a major armed struggle that started in 1910. The movement was led by writer and revolutionist Francisco I. Madero, against the autocratic president, at the time, Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori. Porfirio Diaz, had been in power for over 30 years. The whole Revolution was characterized by inner movements like socialism, liberalism, anarchy, popularism and agrarianism. So this was, in fact, the beginning of a revolution and not the end as many seem to think. Most people think it had something to do with the Spanish or French occupations that had been in the past.
The 20th of November was a call to arms in a document called the Plan of San Luis Potosi written by Madero in San Antonio Texas and published in San Luis Potosi Mexico. It was plan to raise arms against the dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz.
In 1911, Madero was elected President of Mexico, by a democratic election. The movement was still in progress, while Porfirio Diaz vanished to Paris. The movement now was in the hands of Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata and Clemente Orozco, among others. So they can rearrange the distribution of the lands with all the people of the country.
The Revolution was then against Madero. The Zapatistas thought that he was a betrayer when he decided to do the first political instead of the social needs of the people. Later on, the Villistas did the same against the government and in 1917, the Revolution was ended with the publication of the Political Constitution of the United States of Mexico (Constitucion Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos), which is the very same that is being used today.
While he was not President for long being assassinated in 1913 the revolution he started actually lasted through many years and many battles that included such famous revolutionists as Zapata and Poncho Villa with its official termination in 1924 with the election of President Plutarco Elias Calles succeeding President Alvaro Obregon.
Mexicans remember and celebrate the Revolution of 1910 to 1920 every year on the 20th of November. This day is commonly referred to as el veinte de noviembre. On this day, students dress-up as their favourite revolutionist and take part in the parade. The day is marked with parades and civic ceremonies throughout the country. There is a large parade in Mexico City's Zocalo, as well as speeches and official ceremonies. In cities and towns throughout Mexico, just like San Miguel de Allende, school children dressed as revolutionaries participate in local parades.
The Mexican Revolution (Revolucion Mexicana) was a civil movement and then a major armed struggle that started in 1910. The movement was led by writer and revolutionist Francisco I. Madero, against the autocratic president, at the time, Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori. Porfirio Diaz, had been in power for over 30 years. The whole Revolution was characterized by inner movements like socialism, liberalism, anarchy, popularism and agrarianism. So this was, in fact, the beginning of a revolution and not the end as many seem to think. Most people think it had something to do with the Spanish or French occupations that had been in the past.
The 20th of November was a call to arms in a document called the Plan of San Luis Potosi written by Madero in San Antonio Texas and published in San Luis Potosi Mexico. It was plan to raise arms against the dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz.
In 1911, Madero was elected President of Mexico, by a democratic election. The movement was still in progress, while Porfirio Diaz vanished to Paris. The movement now was in the hands of Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata and Clemente Orozco, among others. So they can rearrange the distribution of the lands with all the people of the country.
The Revolution was then against Madero. The Zapatistas thought that he was a betrayer when he decided to do the first political instead of the social needs of the people. Later on, the Villistas did the same against the government and in 1917, the Revolution was ended with the publication of the Political Constitution of the United States of Mexico (Constitucion Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos), which is the very same that is being used today.
While he was not President for long being assassinated in 1913 the revolution he started actually lasted through many years and many battles that included such famous revolutionists as Zapata and Poncho Villa with its official termination in 1924 with the election of President Plutarco Elias Calles succeeding President Alvaro Obregon.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Dia de Muertos (México)
On the 1st and 2nd of November, San Miguel de Allende and all of Mexico will be celebrating The Day of the Death (Dia de los Muertos). Specifically, 1st of November is Dia de Todos los Santos (All saints Day) to honor all the saints of the Catholic faith and those who had died in a state of grace but had not been canonized, and children, on the 1st and Dia de los Muertos (Day of All Souls), which is for all departed loved ones, on the 2nd.
It is essentially a prehispanic celebration that honors the dead but it also matches the Catholic celebration. Like many other Catholic celebrations, in ‘the New World’ it was adapted onto existing indigenous festivities to meld the "new" Catholicism with the "old" pagan beliefs. This is a Mexican and Central American celebration and it's also celebrated in some communities of the United States.
The Celebration consists of putting up an altar, decorated with perforated paper, candles, xempaxúchil flower, and with items that the dead relatives liked when they were alive, such as wine, tequila, cigarettes, food, candies and their photos so they would know it was all for them.It is said that during these nights, all the dead travel from the Land of the Death (la Tierra de los Muertos) to our world, to visit and celebrate with their relatives that are still alive. The Offering (Ofrenda) in the Altar is a tribute so they will enjoy the pleasures of living one more time.
The people of San Miguel, indeed, all of Mexico, have started preparing offerings for their departed family members, relatives, friends, as well as public figures, loved celebrities and artists. There is a lil’ bazaar being set up at the jardin near the market, which will sell offerings in various shapes and colours, that look like lil skeletons or tequila bottles. They will have offerings usually in the form of foods placed at altars at home for family.
In San Miguel de Allende, there are altars in public areas and buildings too, like the public library (Biblioteca Publica), the police station and radio station.The Mexicans are amazing. It seems like they dance to everything, even death. Death is not to be feared. Here in San Miguel de Allende, I learn that they celebrate it, even count it as a festive day. People laugh at and with death. They still hold on to the ancient traditional belief of the Aztecs that when one dies, his spirit continues to live in Mictlán, where all souls reside after leaving life on earth. It is said that Mictlán is not a dark or scary place, but one that is quiet and pleasant where souls rest before they continue on their journey to heaven or Tlalocan. In order to make this journey, the souls need food and water for sustenance, candles and or the bright yellow flowers to light the way, coins to pay the ferryman to get them across the river to Mictlan and a thorny staff to drive away the devil. Hence, the tradition of offerings of these items. There is also another version where the souls stay in Mictlán till they can come and visit their loved ones in this plane, and so the offerings and decorations are of those mentioned above, but the foods are the departed's favorite so that when their spirit come home to visit and share the banquet, they will enjoy themselves and then leave happily to heaven.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Day of the Dead was celebrated in August and coincided with the end of the agricultural cycle of corn, squash, chickpeas and beans. Harvest from the land was a natural part of the offerings. With the coming of Catholicism, the day was to turn into an act of mourning and prayer for the dead to rest in peace. The indigenous tradition though is stronger and has been mixed in with everything and hence, Dia de los Muertos has become a carnival of smells, tastes and loves in which the living and the dead co-exist together for a day, playing together in remembrance, combining the pain of losing a loved one with the belief that the soul is whole and well, in the Land of the Dead, therefore making it a celebration full of joy and color mixed with silences at night and day wakes.Although altars vary from one place to another, there are several basic elements present in all. According to tradition, every altar must have 7 levels, which represents the 7 levels that souls must pass to finally be able to rest. The altar also needs to be swept with herbs moving towards every direction of the 4 winds a day before. A good altar has to have all the levels. The highest level being at the center of the altar, where a photo of the loved one is usually placed, yet smallest in size, and the seventh is the last and largest level which is on the ground. This part holds firewood, coal, a brazier or three stones used to make a hearth, water and a cross made of ashes or salt. The middle levels hold the loved one’s favorite foods and other items—a doll for a child or a guitar for a guitar player, for instance. Additionally, a humorous poem about famous people is added. Another popular custom is to have calaveritas made with sugar, boiled water and lemon for living friends and family or to give them. Anyways, back to the altar, each level has to be covered with a white cloth or colored paper. All colours, except black can be used. Black is not used as it represents sadness and darkness, which is not in accordance with the celebrations. The usual colours used are purple, green, yellow and orange. The 4 elements of nature has to be present at the altar: earth, represented by the foods offered; wind, represented by a light moving object such as the coloured and design-cut china paper with images of death in endless forms and shapes, placed on doors and hung from wall to wall; water, represented by a glass, vase or bottle of water for the soul to quench its thirst after and for the journey; and fire, represented by candles that serves as light against the darkness of death, to illuminate the path of the deceased so that they arrive well. The bright yellow flowers, xempaxúchil, also acts like the candles guiding the souls home and is used everywhere, in homes, at altars, in gardens as well as the Jardin Principal in San Miguel de Allende.
Another very popular tradition is the Pan de Muertos. To me, it signifies the coming of the day as it is sold everywhere during this time. Every bakery sells it, even Starbucks and complete with hot chocolate too!Among the foods often placed on altars are rice, pollo en mole (chicken in mole sauce), pozole (traditional Mexican corn soup), tamales (steamed stuffed cornmeal patties), beans, corn-on-the-cob, tortillas, coffee, fruit juice, water, traditional drinks such as atole (a creamy drink made of water sugar and rice, wheat or oat flour), tepache (a fermented pineapple drink) and pulque (fermented maguey sap) and aguardiente (sugar cane brandy), beer, cigarettes, tejocotes (a seasonal native fruit), sugar cane, peanuts and Mexican candies like charamusca, a sort of taffy, garapiñado, candy-coated peanuts, and sugar skulls.
A friend of mine, who is a local of San Miguel de Allende, actually tested the belief that the spirits that come to the banquet are said to consume the essence of the food, so if you were to taste it after the appointed time they were to visit, it would have no flavor. He tasted some of the food at the altar the very next day and found that indeed, there was no smell nor flavor to any of the foods there.Over time, more traditions were added, such as visiting cemeteries and dining on the tombs of departed family and friends. It is believed that the spirits take part in the festivities. Another custom is to bring flowers and clean the gravesite. Stories are told among family and friends, people get together to do the altars and visit. Some people even hire bands from northern Mexico or Mariachis to provide entertainment. So you see, rather than it being a sad day for the dead, Dia de los Muertos, is a very cheerful and colorful event. The Mexicans treat death with humor. For dying itself, Mexicans use playful expressions such as petatearse, estirar la pata (literally, “stretch your foot out”) and pelarse (slang for “take off”). These playful twist of words find their way into verses and sayings that make light of kicking the bucket.
For the people of San Miguel de Allende and all of Mexico, The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life.
It is essentially a prehispanic celebration that honors the dead but it also matches the Catholic celebration. Like many other Catholic celebrations, in ‘the New World’ it was adapted onto existing indigenous festivities to meld the "new" Catholicism with the "old" pagan beliefs. This is a Mexican and Central American celebration and it's also celebrated in some communities of the United States.
The Celebration consists of putting up an altar, decorated with perforated paper, candles, xempaxúchil flower, and with items that the dead relatives liked when they were alive, such as wine, tequila, cigarettes, food, candies and their photos so they would know it was all for them.It is said that during these nights, all the dead travel from the Land of the Death (la Tierra de los Muertos) to our world, to visit and celebrate with their relatives that are still alive. The Offering (Ofrenda) in the Altar is a tribute so they will enjoy the pleasures of living one more time.
The people of San Miguel, indeed, all of Mexico, have started preparing offerings for their departed family members, relatives, friends, as well as public figures, loved celebrities and artists. There is a lil’ bazaar being set up at the jardin near the market, which will sell offerings in various shapes and colours, that look like lil skeletons or tequila bottles. They will have offerings usually in the form of foods placed at altars at home for family.
In San Miguel de Allende, there are altars in public areas and buildings too, like the public library (Biblioteca Publica), the police station and radio station.The Mexicans are amazing. It seems like they dance to everything, even death. Death is not to be feared. Here in San Miguel de Allende, I learn that they celebrate it, even count it as a festive day. People laugh at and with death. They still hold on to the ancient traditional belief of the Aztecs that when one dies, his spirit continues to live in Mictlán, where all souls reside after leaving life on earth. It is said that Mictlán is not a dark or scary place, but one that is quiet and pleasant where souls rest before they continue on their journey to heaven or Tlalocan. In order to make this journey, the souls need food and water for sustenance, candles and or the bright yellow flowers to light the way, coins to pay the ferryman to get them across the river to Mictlan and a thorny staff to drive away the devil. Hence, the tradition of offerings of these items. There is also another version where the souls stay in Mictlán till they can come and visit their loved ones in this plane, and so the offerings and decorations are of those mentioned above, but the foods are the departed's favorite so that when their spirit come home to visit and share the banquet, they will enjoy themselves and then leave happily to heaven.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Day of the Dead was celebrated in August and coincided with the end of the agricultural cycle of corn, squash, chickpeas and beans. Harvest from the land was a natural part of the offerings. With the coming of Catholicism, the day was to turn into an act of mourning and prayer for the dead to rest in peace. The indigenous tradition though is stronger and has been mixed in with everything and hence, Dia de los Muertos has become a carnival of smells, tastes and loves in which the living and the dead co-exist together for a day, playing together in remembrance, combining the pain of losing a loved one with the belief that the soul is whole and well, in the Land of the Dead, therefore making it a celebration full of joy and color mixed with silences at night and day wakes.Although altars vary from one place to another, there are several basic elements present in all. According to tradition, every altar must have 7 levels, which represents the 7 levels that souls must pass to finally be able to rest. The altar also needs to be swept with herbs moving towards every direction of the 4 winds a day before. A good altar has to have all the levels. The highest level being at the center of the altar, where a photo of the loved one is usually placed, yet smallest in size, and the seventh is the last and largest level which is on the ground. This part holds firewood, coal, a brazier or three stones used to make a hearth, water and a cross made of ashes or salt. The middle levels hold the loved one’s favorite foods and other items—a doll for a child or a guitar for a guitar player, for instance. Additionally, a humorous poem about famous people is added. Another popular custom is to have calaveritas made with sugar, boiled water and lemon for living friends and family or to give them. Anyways, back to the altar, each level has to be covered with a white cloth or colored paper. All colours, except black can be used. Black is not used as it represents sadness and darkness, which is not in accordance with the celebrations. The usual colours used are purple, green, yellow and orange. The 4 elements of nature has to be present at the altar: earth, represented by the foods offered; wind, represented by a light moving object such as the coloured and design-cut china paper with images of death in endless forms and shapes, placed on doors and hung from wall to wall; water, represented by a glass, vase or bottle of water for the soul to quench its thirst after and for the journey; and fire, represented by candles that serves as light against the darkness of death, to illuminate the path of the deceased so that they arrive well. The bright yellow flowers, xempaxúchil, also acts like the candles guiding the souls home and is used everywhere, in homes, at altars, in gardens as well as the Jardin Principal in San Miguel de Allende.
Another very popular tradition is the Pan de Muertos. To me, it signifies the coming of the day as it is sold everywhere during this time. Every bakery sells it, even Starbucks and complete with hot chocolate too!Among the foods often placed on altars are rice, pollo en mole (chicken in mole sauce), pozole (traditional Mexican corn soup), tamales (steamed stuffed cornmeal patties), beans, corn-on-the-cob, tortillas, coffee, fruit juice, water, traditional drinks such as atole (a creamy drink made of water sugar and rice, wheat or oat flour), tepache (a fermented pineapple drink) and pulque (fermented maguey sap) and aguardiente (sugar cane brandy), beer, cigarettes, tejocotes (a seasonal native fruit), sugar cane, peanuts and Mexican candies like charamusca, a sort of taffy, garapiñado, candy-coated peanuts, and sugar skulls.
A friend of mine, who is a local of San Miguel de Allende, actually tested the belief that the spirits that come to the banquet are said to consume the essence of the food, so if you were to taste it after the appointed time they were to visit, it would have no flavor. He tasted some of the food at the altar the very next day and found that indeed, there was no smell nor flavor to any of the foods there.Over time, more traditions were added, such as visiting cemeteries and dining on the tombs of departed family and friends. It is believed that the spirits take part in the festivities. Another custom is to bring flowers and clean the gravesite. Stories are told among family and friends, people get together to do the altars and visit. Some people even hire bands from northern Mexico or Mariachis to provide entertainment. So you see, rather than it being a sad day for the dead, Dia de los Muertos, is a very cheerful and colorful event. The Mexicans treat death with humor. For dying itself, Mexicans use playful expressions such as petatearse, estirar la pata (literally, “stretch your foot out”) and pelarse (slang for “take off”). These playful twist of words find their way into verses and sayings that make light of kicking the bucket.
For the people of San Miguel de Allende and all of Mexico, The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life.
Monday, September 21, 2009
video : grand guitars
this was sent to us by one of our guest. his name is Jose Maria Obeso. he played at the recent Guitar Festival in San Miguel de Allende to a standing ovacion. he stayed with us at Suryaluna hostal while he was here. since San Miguel de Allende, travelled home to teach then went all over Europe playing with orchestras. he is now on his way to Prague. we wish him all the very best and hope to see him again soon. here is our new friend playing with his teacher...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Niños Héroes - 13th September
(pic courtesy of www.chapultepec.com.mx)13th September is not a very well-known date..not as well known as the 15th which is Mexico's Independence Day..but it is a day that should be remembered. Its actually a sad day when teenagers, children..basically became men of great patriotism and honor in a day and gave their lives for their country's honor.
In 1848, when the Mexican War was ending, the Mexicans had to continue fighting, this time against the U.S. U.S forces marched into the heart of Mexico, wanting to capture the capital city. They came through the western side which was protected by Chapultepec. Chapultepec is a fortified hill with a fortress which was once a palace but was used as a military academy. After a day of bombardment, American troops were ordered to storm in and by mid-morning General Nicolas Bravo and his remaining troops surrendered. But a handful of boys who felt that they would rather die with honor than surrender, fought on until all but one was killed. The last survivor wrapped the Mexican flag around himself and leapt from Chapultepec Castle, so that it could not be dishonored, taken by the enemy. The youngest was 14 and eldest was 20.
To honor their courage, they are now known as Niños Héroes (boy heroes) and they have a monument dedicated to them in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.
It is so very amazing how children can lead the way sometimes. I learnt about them while talking to Suryaluna's manager, Pako. He is in-charge of both the Suryaluna restaurant and hostal and usually the person to go to ask about things regarding where to go and do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City...all of Mexico actually.
To learn more about Ninos Heroes, please visit : http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/boy-heroes.htm or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C3%B1os_H%C3%A9roes
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Don Quijote at Suryaluna
The past few days has been an interesting one. An eccentric character has been staying at the oasis of Suryaluna. This wonderful character is no other than Don Quijote de la Mancha.
An actor, originally from Jalisco, he is a funny and loyal friend. He makes his living mingling with tourists and locals alike, who love to take pictures with him. They tip him and he moves on. He works in the main plazas of Mexico. Being tall and amazingly dressed, one cannot miss him as he wears his armor, helmet, sword and lance each time he goes to work. The people of San Miguel crowd around him and talk to him each time he is in town. A character from another time, one might think that he is simply a fictional character. He is, however, very real and is here, looking for the conquest of his own life, among other things and finding his eternal beloved Dulcinea.
A brave warrior who is not afraid of fighting demons or giants, the extreme weather and various sorts of tourists, he is suited in his armor everytime he steps into public. We know that he is a romantic and always polite, but the real man behind the character is a mystery. We heard he might make San Miguel his base and live here, if that were true, it would be very cool indeed.
An actor, originally from Jalisco, he is a funny and loyal friend. He makes his living mingling with tourists and locals alike, who love to take pictures with him. They tip him and he moves on. He works in the main plazas of Mexico. Being tall and amazingly dressed, one cannot miss him as he wears his armor, helmet, sword and lance each time he goes to work. The people of San Miguel crowd around him and talk to him each time he is in town. A character from another time, one might think that he is simply a fictional character. He is, however, very real and is here, looking for the conquest of his own life, among other things and finding his eternal beloved Dulcinea.
A brave warrior who is not afraid of fighting demons or giants, the extreme weather and various sorts of tourists, he is suited in his armor everytime he steps into public. We know that he is a romantic and always polite, but the real man behind the character is a mystery. We heard he might make San Miguel his base and live here, if that were true, it would be very cool indeed.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
the story of don quixote
Don Quixote by Pablo PicassoWho IS Don Quixote?
Don Quixote or Quijote is actually a fictional character created by the renowned author Miguel de Cervantes, based on a story, manuscript by a Moorish historian called Cide Hamete Benengeli. The original books, part 1 and part 2 were published in Spanish, of course, in 1605 and 1615 respectively. It was originally called El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha. It was translated to English in 1885 by John Ormsby (1829-1895).
In the Spanish speaking world, it is known as the first true novel. The famous theme of the idealistic, insane knight and the devoted, down to earth squire is used to portray many complex themes through unforgettable incidents. There is a great blend of tragic and comic. With its variety and colour, the book is known as a masterpiece of droll humour, giving the modern readers an interesting picture of 16th century Spanish society, made all the more beautiful by its fantastic prose style. Cervantes started the novel with the intention to parody the many romances of chivalry which were popular in those times and also, which the Church was unsuccessfully trying to check. The result, however is Don Quixote.
Don Quixote or Quijote is actually a fictional character created by the renowned author Miguel de Cervantes, based on a story, manuscript by a Moorish historian called Cide Hamete Benengeli. The original books, part 1 and part 2 were published in Spanish, of course, in 1605 and 1615 respectively. It was originally called El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha. It was translated to English in 1885 by John Ormsby (1829-1895).
In the Spanish speaking world, it is known as the first true novel. The famous theme of the idealistic, insane knight and the devoted, down to earth squire is used to portray many complex themes through unforgettable incidents. There is a great blend of tragic and comic. With its variety and colour, the book is known as a masterpiece of droll humour, giving the modern readers an interesting picture of 16th century Spanish society, made all the more beautiful by its fantastic prose style. Cervantes started the novel with the intention to parody the many romances of chivalry which were popular in those times and also, which the Church was unsuccessfully trying to check. The result, however is Don Quixote.
Although the novel is essentially humorous, the second half is more serious and philosophical. It is a source of inspiration for literature, art and music. Pablo Picasso made a painting, based on the book and Richard Strauss made music of it. Quixote has served as an important thematic source not only in literature but in much of art and music, inspiring works by Pablo Picasso and Richard Strauss. The contrasts between the tall, thin and idealistic Quixote and the fat, squat, world-weary Panza has been echoed ever since the book’s publication. Don Quixote's imaginings are the butt of outrageous and cruel practical jokes in the novel. Even faithful and simple Sancho is unintentionally forced to deceive him at certain points.
The real Don Quixote, is Alonso Quixano. A retired country gentleman in his fifties. He lived in an unnamed section of La Mancha with his niece and a housekeper. He became obsessed with books of chivalry and believe everything he read as the truth. Eventually, he appeared to others as people appears to other people to have lost his mind from too little sleep and food, too much reading.
The Don Quixote who stays with us at our Suryaluna Hostal is quite a character too..we wish him all the very best as he 'does his rounds' and hope to see him again soon.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Us
Suryaluna is located in Hidalgo 17, San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato. It is a restaurant and a hostal. We have teapots and teas, and other art-related gifts for sale. We have coffee and pastries all day and all night as our doors are open 24hrs/7 days a week.
Suryaluna, however, is more than just a restaurant..more than just a store..more than just a hostal. It is more like a family than a business, Suryaluna feels like a home where you can hang out with friends and strangers alike. Here, we have had people meet and become friends, brothers, sisters, even lovers. It is a blending of cultures and souls. We have had guests from other parts of mexico - Jalisco, Michoacan, Durango, Aguascalientes, Guerrero and of course Mexico City. We have had guests from Greece, from France, Italy, Germany and many more. We are all family and we try to make our guest feel a part of our family here. We've always believed that in life you have two families; one is the one that you dont choose, your blood ties, and the other is the one that you choose...friends, colleagues, class mates and such. These people, we call our soul family. The ones that are in your life, your heart and soul because they want to and you have more mutual interests with. This is the kind of family that Suryaluna tries to make...build...as big as possible. It feels like home here, from the atmosphere, to the food, everyone who has been to Suryaluna says it feels like hanging out at grandma's place or best pal's place, it feels like vacations with the family in some place lost in time and space...enveloped in good vibes, good food and good conversations..
Suryaluna, however, is more than just a restaurant..more than just a store..more than just a hostal. It is more like a family than a business, Suryaluna feels like a home where you can hang out with friends and strangers alike. Here, we have had people meet and become friends, brothers, sisters, even lovers. It is a blending of cultures and souls. We have had guests from other parts of mexico - Jalisco, Michoacan, Durango, Aguascalientes, Guerrero and of course Mexico City. We have had guests from Greece, from France, Italy, Germany and many more. We are all family and we try to make our guest feel a part of our family here. We've always believed that in life you have two families; one is the one that you dont choose, your blood ties, and the other is the one that you choose...friends, colleagues, class mates and such. These people, we call our soul family. The ones that are in your life, your heart and soul because they want to and you have more mutual interests with. This is the kind of family that Suryaluna tries to make...build...as big as possible. It feels like home here, from the atmosphere, to the food, everyone who has been to Suryaluna says it feels like hanging out at grandma's place or best pal's place, it feels like vacations with the family in some place lost in time and space...enveloped in good vibes, good food and good conversations..
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Our Hostal
Suryaluna Hostal is a fresh, quaint lil spot right in downtown. Its near enough to be in the heat of things, far enough to have a quiet night. Surrounding areas are well lit and safe. Our restaurant specialises in Singaporean and Indian cuisine, with Mexican and American breakfast.Suryaluna is exactly 1.5 blocks from the Jardin. We are 2 blocks from the major bus stop and within close proximity to a 24-hr clinic, pharmacies and stores, not to mention touristical places of interests like San Miguel de Allende's famous churches, galleries and art schools, libraries and theatre, also restaurants and bars.Suryaluna is meticulous about cleanliness and hygiene. We aim to welcome every guest to a home-like atmosphere. Our rooms, toilets and restaurant is very clean and comfortable. We have beds for 22 people. Our 2 couple room has matrimonial-sized beds, side-tables, a closet, reading light, fan and mirror. We provide a towel, soap and bottled water to each of our guest and have other essentials for sale if needed. We also do wake-up calls. We are in the midst of setting up a TV and lounge area with books, magazines and games. Some Fridays and Saturdays we have live music and open mic for musicians.
Come visit us at Hidalgo 17, Centro!
Come visit us at Hidalgo 17, Centro!
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