Fabrica La Aurora

Our House to Fabrica La Aurora

This morning we walked to the northern part of San Miguel de Allende to visit the trendy Fabrica La Aurora.  Fabrica La Aurora is a former textile mill that has been transformed into artists studios and gallery space.

Although some local art was on display, most of the art appeared to be imported or created by expat artists who have taken up residence in SMA.

All guide books list Fabrica La Aurora in their top ten places to visit in SMA.  So when in Rome...off we trekked the 2.1 kilometers from our home to this artist colony.

Art by Any Other Name

Religious Art

Modern Art

Fabrica La Aurora is arranged in four sections designed A, B, C and D.  We explored all sections finding a collection of art ranging from religious statuary to incomprehensible modern art . . . and everything in between.

Since we have three weeks to explore San Miguel de Allende, this visit to Fabrica La Aurora allowed us to tic off a venture on a tour guide top ten list without sacrificing time from lingering in the historic city center.

Our recommendation, if time permits, put Fabrica La Aurora on your sights-to-see list.

See the Local Side of Town

We are in day two of our stay here and seek opportunities to explore the city.  Our 30 minute walk to Fabrica La Aurora gave us a chance to wander through the historic city center and then into an area of town frequented primarily by locals.

Even in the less touristy sectionsof town we noticed that streets are clean and the sidewalks passable.

NO AL MURO!

We also encountered a well executed mural on one of the many walls that separate homes and businesses from the sidewalk. With a little study of the mural we discovered that American political rhetoric about our current president has found a responding voice here in Mexico.

An image of a clown-nosed Trump was seen carrying a local Mexican on his shoulders.  Trump's passenger held a sign reading, "NO AL MURO!" Translation: "No to the wall!"

Make Tacos Not Walls

A similar commentary, albeit more obliquely stated, was also found at our lunch taco stop the other day at Chicago's Sobroso Taqueria.  Displayed on the wall was the restaurant's motto, "Make Tacos NotWalls."

As we have travelled the world, we have become keenly aware of just how closely people follow events in the United States.  We confess to being distressed by the negative impact impulsive tweets have on our nation's image around the world.


Art in an Alley

In a study in contrast, as we wandered back to our home we visited a cluster of small jewelry and crafts shops tucked into an alley.

It was there that Helen purchased a red bracelet.  And the price of 80 pesos, which she bargained down to 70, ($3.90) was the right price.