No one told me about the Gangs of San Miguel. You think you are going to visit a quaint, parochial Mexican town in the mountains. But sit for a few minutes in the Jardin and you are soon surrounding by middle aged American Gangs demanding your attention. Something bad happens in San Miguel when Americans come here. Some people call it ‘reinventing’ yourself. Some people call it ‘magic’. Some people call it ‘finding yourself’. Some people call it ‘opening your heart’. It doesn’t matter what it is called it is downright scary. They swarm the Jardin daily in their little Gangs trying to get you to join. They set up tables to recruit you. They try to get you to go on walks and house tours. They put on concerts and art shows. They corner you on park benches and at happy hours. They send their dogs after you. They have places called Bienes Raices where stretched women and pretty men entice you to see “gated communities” where some gang members live. I have been instructed to lock my bedroom door at nights because “they” will get you in the night. Be warned if you come.

CONTACT ME (LEVEL 1 AND 2 Warren Hardy)

If you want to contribute to the blog or find something objectionable and want it removed please email me .

If your picture is on here and you have never taken a picture of a citizen of San Miguel then I will remove it. But if you have ever taken a picture of some “interesting local” to show your friends how ‘quaint and colourful’ San Miguel is then I think your picture on here is fair game.

All About ME

I notice that the greatest hits on the blog are About. There is a fascination with who I am.  Not sure if it residents who are awaiting my return in January and my execution like Allende or just interest.

  • I am Canadian and don’t live in San Miguel but Toronto.
  • I am a retired high school teacher (economics and accounting).
  • I have two children and no grandchildren. Yes, my son is Christian Lander who created Stuff White People Like - who has published a book with that title. He lives in Los Angeles with his American wife (who threatens to move to Canada). My other son Aaron lives in Toronto.
  • My partner and I have only been to San Miguel twice.  The first time I visited in March 2007 for 10 days.  The second was January 1, 2008 for three months.
  • I will be back in January 2008 with my camera and laptop to revisit and find new gangs.  i will be living in Col. San Antonio as I have been banished from Centro.
  • I will be joining a Gang shortly
  • I took Level 1 and 2 Warren Hardy on my last visit so I can read signs and order ham by the 1/2 kilo.
  • I do enjoy San Miguel and this is simply my take on what I saw.

Here I am a party on Montes de Oca in February. I don’t know who any of people in the picture are and had a bit of trouble finding myself. (In so many ways)