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San Miguel de Allende

Love in San Miguel

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By Audrey Jacobs—

Thirty years ago I came to San Miguel on my honeymoon. I fell in love with the city and remember thinking, “One day I’m coming back to live here.”

Life had other plans. I stayed in San Diego, raised three sons, built a career, got divorced, and forgot I had the freedom to live anywhere.

Then last year, at 55, an uncomfortable romantic relationship reminded me that life’s too short, so I bought a one-way ticket to return to San Miguel.

I definitely didn’t move here to start a singles organization. I was simply looking for my next chapter. What I found first was loneliness.

I worked remotely, usually from home or a café, and almost every night I made myself go out. Through TEDx and the Jewish community I met wonderful people right away. Daily there were concerts, lectures, art openings, dinner parties and hikes.

Still, I’d come home to an empty house and feel… empty. I wanted a romantic partner, but I also wanted my people. It felt like freshman year of college. You’re friendly with everyone but connected to very few.

When it came to dating, everyone had advice.
One woman proudly told me, “My Mexican boyfriend is 20 years younger. He adores me. I pay for everything and I don’t mind. You need to find yourself a hot young Mexican.” Good on her.

Then I kept hearing immigrant women say the same thing. “There are no good men in San Miguel.” They’re wrong. Maybe not as many as women, but they’re here. And I kept meeting them.

Once I decided I was ready to date, within two months I met four men I liked. The best one became my friend first. A handsome Mexican man, we met at ecstatic dance and spent almost every day together walking, talking, laughing and exploring San Miguel with no pressure. Even if nothing romantic had happened, I would’ve been grateful to have a companion. Then one evening his usual kiss on the cheek landed on my lips. Today, six months later, we’re happily together.

“The more people I meet, the more I realize finding love isn’t a dating problem. It’s a connection problem.”

I’ve met people who just buried a spouse after 50 years of marriage. People recovering from divorce. People who have never married. People who don’t want a relationship right now. They want someone to have dinner with, hear music with, travel with or call on a bad day. They want to find their people.

Then a photo memory from my old singles dinner parties in San Diego popped up on my phone. On June 3, I posted a simple question in a San Miguel Facebook group.

“Looking for love?”
Six hundred likes, hundreds of comments, and more than 500 private messages later, I knew I’d hit a nerve.

Two months later, more than 350 people have joined Love in San Miguel | Amor en San Miguel. Fifty-five percent are native Spanish speakers. Our community ranges in age from 25 to 85. From day one, I wanted our group to be bilingual and bi-cultural because loneliness is universal.

I’ve been a matchmaker for over 30 years, but before our first event on July 7, I was terrified. Would anyone come? Would people talk to each other? Would they leave thinking, “Well… that was awkward?”

Instead, 60 people showed up with another 200 on the waitlist.
Before anyone sat down, we handed every guest a “connection card” and asked them to find a stranger. “What have you always wanted to learn?” “What are you passionate about?” “What are you looking forward to?” Within minutes the room buzzed. English and Spanish mixed together. Mexicans and immigrants. People in their 30s talking with people in their 70s. It was exactly what I’d hoped for.

Then came dinner, and with it, the stories. One woman had just ended a 34-year marriage. Another drove 90 minutes because he didn’t know where else to meet thoughtful people.
Again and again I heard the same thing. “I just want a safe place to meet good people.”

I’m building Love in San Miguel in real time with my amazing bicultural partner, Araceli Kopiloff. Originally from Uruguay, Araceli has called Mexico home for many years. We learn from every event and our community helps us shape what comes next.

There will be curated matchmaking dinners, outdoor adventures, volunteer projects, workshops, speakers, and many experiences for people to find their people.

We don’t have it all figured out yet, but we’re enjoying the crazy creation phase. It means we’re listening instead of assuming what everyone wants.

Here’s what I didn’t expect. Married couples keep asking to join. They aren’t looking for romance, but they’re lonely too. They want couple friends, dinner friends, people to travel with.

For now, we’re staying focused on singles, but it reminded me that loneliness doesn’t disappear just because you found a spouse. I can’t promise anyone they’ll find the love of their life. Nobody can.

But I can design carefully crafted experiences where strangers become friends, and maybe some of those friendships become love. San Miguel is too magical to love alone.

Interested? Love in San Miguel | Amor en San Miguel
http://www.loveinsanmiguel.com

Audrey Jacobs is the founder and chief matchmaker of Love in San Miguel | Amor en San Miguel. She is a TEDx speaker whose talk has been viewed nearly 200,000 times. Audrey lives in San Miguel de Allende and believes the city is too magical to love alone.

Photography by Armando Espinoza

Huatulco, San Miguel de Allende

Editor’s Letter

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By Jane Bauer—

“Each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1,500 miles….If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week.”
― Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life

I live in a small village with a public address system where you still hear announcements like, “La señora Martínez tiene pollo a la venta.” These days there are fewer loudspeaker messages because most have moved to our community WhatsApp group. A typical post reads: “Hola, buen día. Ya les tengo a la venta los ricos tamales de frijol y chepil en el domicilio de la señora Mendoza.” It’s simply letting the neighborhood know that fresh tamales are ready and waiting at someone’s home.

Mexico is full of pop food stands. People sell bolis, sliced fruit, tacos, tamales, homemade bread, roasted chickens, and countless other foods. Economists call this the informal economy, but there is a misconception that “informal” means unregulated. As a restaurant owner, people often ask me whether businesses here need permits or pay taxes, as though selling food in Mexico is free from the bureaucracy found in the United States or Canada. It isn’t. Even street food vendors are typically required to obtain permits, licenses, and food safety training. What sets Mexico apart is not the absence of regulation—it is that we have not completely corporatized our food system.

This past May I was hiking the North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail. The forest was magnificent, and there is no better way to reconnect with nature. But every time I left the trail to resupply, I was struck by how many hikers—and local residents—relied almost entirely on processed food. Frozen meals, convenience stores, and an endless parade of fast-food restaurants lining the highways have become the default way to eat.

The numbers are hard to ignore. The United States has an estimated 180,000 to 210,000 corporate fast-food restaurants, compared with just 35,000 to 45,000 in Mexico. McDonald’s alone has 13,706 U.S. locations, compared with only 380 in Mexico, more than 36 times as many.

Recently, I drove nearly 900 kilometers from Huatulco to San Miguel de Allende. Do you know how many corporate fast-food restaurants I passed? Not one.

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That contrast matters. The recent U.S. Cyclospora outbreak, linked to contaminated shredded lettuce and affecting more than 1,600 people across over 30 states, illustrates the vulnerability of highly centralized food systems. When a single supplier distributes food across an entire country, one contamination event can quickly become a national public health crisis. Efficiency and scale have their advantages, but they also create fragility.

A few weeks ago I watched a social media video of a woman planting dried beans from a bag of mixed bean soup. The comments were filled with people insisting it was illegal to grow them. Whether or not those claims were true almost didn’t matter—the instinctive assumption was that growing your own food had somehow become suspect.

So the next time you see someone selling fresh food from a cart, a folding table, or the front of their home, recognize that they are preserving something valuable. Every tamale, taco, loaf of bread, and bag of fresh fruit represents a food system that is local, decentralized, and deeply human. Plant a garden. Buy from your neighbors. Skip the drive-through. Real food, sold by real people, is more than a meal; it is a quiet act of revolution.

See you in October,

Jane

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San Miguel de Allende

Patronato Pro Niños: More Than 55 Years of Caring for San Miguel’s Children

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By Sunnie Collins and Mark Shaff—

For more than 55 years, Patronato Pro Niños has been helping ensure that children from economically disadvantaged families in San Miguel de Allende and the surrounding rural communities have access to the healthcare they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
What began in 1970 as a community effort to provide blankets and clothing to families in need has evolved into one of the region’s most respected charitable organizations. Today, Patronato Pro Niños provides free, high-quality medical, dental, psychological, and social services to thousands of children and adolescents each year.
The organization’s founders, including community visionary Stirling Dickinson, recognized that healthy children are the foundation of a healthy community. Over the decades, Patronato Pro Niños has continually adapted its services to meet the changing needs of local families, expanding from basic assistance to comprehensive healthcare programs that reach children who might otherwise go without care.

One of the hallmarks of Patronato Pro Niños is its commitment to serving children where they live. Through a fleet of mobile medical and dental units, healthcare professionals travel throughout rural communities, bringing services directly to schools and villages that often have limited access to healthcare. In 2024 alone, Patronato Pro Niños provided more than 13,000 consultations and traveled nearly 14,000 kilometers to deliver care. The organization continues to expand its reach as demand for services grows throughout the region.

Patronato Pro Niños focuses on four core service areas: medical care, dental care, psychological services, and social work. These services are complemented by educational programs that help children and families understand the importance of good nutrition, dental hygiene, preventive healthcare, and emotional well-being.

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Download your free Passport to Mexico and start checking off 100 unforgettable experiences across Mexico. Click the cover to get your copy.

 

In recent years, the organization has seen a growing need for mental health support, particularly among children and adolescents in rural communities. Teachers, school administrators, and community leaders have increasingly identified psychological care as one of the most urgent needs facing local youth. In response, Patronato Pro Niños has expanded its psychological services and is working to further increase access to care through additional mobile outreach and staffing.

The organization also continues to explore innovative ways to address unmet healthcare needs. One exciting new initiative is the introduction of the USee Vision Kit program, a pilot project designed to provide vision screening and affordable eyeglasses to children in the field. Good vision plays a critical role in educational success, and the program has the potential to help hundreds of children who may never have received a vision exam. None of this work would be possible without the generous support of donors, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.

One of Patronato Pro Niños’ most successful fundraising initiatives is the Heart to Heart Charity Bazaar. For decades, volunteers and supporters have helped transform donated goods into support that directly benefits the organization’s healthcare programs. The Bazaar has become a beloved community institution, creating opportunities for residents and visitors alike to contribute to the well-being of local children.

Another unique fundraising effort is the Historical Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours offer participants a fascinating look at the city’s rich history while generating funds to support Patronato Pro Niños. Public and private tours are available throughout the year, allowing both visitors and residents to learn more about San Miguel while supporting a worthy cause.

The organization’s annual Gala has also become one of San Miguel’s premier charitable events. Bringing together supporters from across the community, the Gala combines entertainment, fellowship, and philanthropy while raising critical funds for the organization’s programs. Recent Galas have been extraordinarily successful, and the organization continually strives to raise the bar each year in both quality and impact.

Throughout the year, Patronato Pro Niños also hosts concerts, special events, and community activities that raise awareness and generate additional support for its mission. These events not only provide financial resources but also strengthen the sense of community that has been central to the organization’s success for more than five decades.

Patronato Pro Niños is recognized in Mexico as a Donataria Autorizada, allowing it to issue Mexican tax-deductible facturas for qualifying donations. Supporters in the United States may contribute through Pro Niños USA, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides U.S. tax-deductible receipts. Canadian donors can also make tax-deductible contributions through Amistad Canada, which supports charitable organizations working throughout Mexico, including Patronato Pro Niños.

As San Miguel de Allende continues to grow and evolve, Patronato Pro Niños remains committed to its mission of helping every child access the healthcare they need to build a healthier future. More than 55 years after its founding, the organization continues to demonstrate what can happen when a community comes together to care for its children.

Learn More About Patronato Pro Niños

Providing free medical, dental, psychological, and social services to children in San Miguel de Allende and surrounding rural communities for more than 55 years.

Websites
Patronato Pro Niños
http://www.patronatoproninos.org
Historical Walking Tour
http://www.historicalwalkingtour.org

Heart to Heart Charity Bazaar
http://www.heart2heartcharity.org
U.S. Tax-Deductible Donations
http://www.proninosusa.org
Canadian Tax-Deductible Donations
http://www.amistadcanada.org

Ways to Support
• Donate
• Volunteer
• Join a Historical Walking Tour
• Shop, donate, or volunteer with Heart to Heart
• Attend the Annual Gala and other fundraising events

Huatulco

Rotary Club Bahías de Huatulco Hosts Bi-district Conference in May

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By Bonnie Ganske—

The Rotary Club of Bahías de Huatulco, established in 1998, is preparing to host a bi-district conference at the Barceló Convention Centre from May 14–16. Rotary is an international service organization with a presence in more than 200 countries and over 1.2 million members worldwide. Its primary areas of focus include healthcare, disease prevention, clean water, literacy, peace, education, and the environment—all guided by the motto “Service Above Self.”

Locally, the club supports its Park Library in Sector U2, which offers a computer lab for area schoolchildren, language classes in Spanish, German, and English, and serves as both a lending library and a resource center for visiting students. The Huatulco Rotary Club has also delivered numerous wheelchairs, hosts an annual dental campaign for rural schoolchildren, and has installed water purification systems in schools across surrounding communities.

The upcoming conference will welcome more than 400 Rotarians from across southern Mexico. District 4195 includes participants from Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche. District 4185 will bring attendees from Puebla, Guerrero, Tlaxcala, Morelos, and additional regions of Veracruz. The event will also host approximately 250 foreign exchange students.

For local businesses, this gathering presents an opportunity to offer special promotions or discounts during the low season, as visitors explore the area’s shops, restaurants, and services.

Conference Highlights:

May 15: Presentation by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rotary Peace Scholar, Dra. Rigoberta Menchú Tum

May 15: A colorful parade of Rotarians in traditional regional dress, beginning in El Centro and culminating at Parque Guelaguetza near the marina. The public is warmly invited to attend and enjoy food and artisan stalls at the park.

May 17: A 2 km walk/run to the golf course in support of Rotary’s global polio eradication campaign

For more info: + 52 958 115 3767

San Miguel de Allende

A Gallery of Her Own

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Galería San Francisco, and a Creative Community Built Around Women Artists

By Susan Santiago—

I opened Galería San Francisco in January 2016, fulfilling a long-held dream of creating a space devoted not only to exhibiting art but to nurturing creativity and community. My first location was in a historic building on Calle San Francisco—charming and full of character. However, as the gallery grew over the next four years, its limitations became increasingly clear. City regulations prohibited exterior signage, which made visibility difficult, and being on the second floor meant many potential visitors simply could not find us. For older adults especially, the stairs were a significant obstacle.

Recognizing that accessibility would be essential to the gallery’s future, I began searching for a more suitable space. When I visited Fábrica La Aurora, I immediately felt it was where we belonged. I was fortunate to secure a lease on two rooms with a patio, and the owner was specifically seeking tenants who offered public classes—perfectly aligned with my vision for Galería San Francisco.

Over the following year, the owner generously approved the conversion of a two-car garage adjacent to the gallery into a classroom. This expansion allowed us to broaden our programming and eventually relocate entirely from Calle San Francisco to Fábrica La Aurora. Today, the gallery functions as both an exhibition space and a creative hub. We offer year-round classes in watercolor, sketching, mixed media, collage, and acrylics, taught by accomplished working artists with many years of teaching experience. Beginners and advanced students alike are welcome, and the atmosphere is intentionally warm and supportive. The mix of local residents, expatriates, and international visitors creates a lively environment where people connect through art and often form lasting friendships.

Over time, Galería San Francisco has become known as a place where art is not only displayed but experienced. Visitors can observe artists at work, participate in classes, or attend workshops and exhibitions throughout the year. We have received awards and glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, where we are frequently described as a “must-visit” destination in San Miguel. What means the most to me, however, is hearing from students who discover creativity they never knew they had, or from travelers who say their time at the gallery became one of the highlights of their visit.

My own journey in the art world has been deeply influenced by my late friend Bob Geno, who owned Orlando Gallery in the Los Angeles area for more than 50 years. Bob gave many artists their first opportunity—including me—and I will always be grateful for his belief in my work. Through his gallery, I met other artists, exchanged ideas, and experienced the camaraderie of a true creative community. He was an avid collector and a true lover of art, and he will always remain close to my heart.

As my retirement from teaching approached, I began to dream about opening my own gallery in San Miguel. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life around creative people who were open-minded and interested in ideas. Transitioning from being an art teacher to running a gallery was a true baptism of fire, but now that Galería San Francisco has been open for almost 11 years I have a lot more confidence in how to run a business, but I also know there is always something new to learn. My vision for the gallery was to showcase artists working in a variety of styles and recently I have committed to representing only the work of women artists. I also wanted to offer a variety of classes to the community and visitors to San Miguel. I believe having experienced educators and practicing artists teaching classes creates a more vibrant learning environment.

Focusing on women artists has become an especially meaningful part of the gallery’s identity. Throughout my years in the art world, I saw how often women’s work was overlooked or undervalued. By dedicating the gallery to their work, I hope to provide a platform where their voices and perspectives can be seen and appreciated. The artists we represent range from emerging talents to established professionals, working across many styles and mediums, yet united by originality and a strong personal vision. The sense of mutual support among them is one of the things that makes the gallery feel less like a business and more like a community.

Education remains at the heart of everything we do. Our classes are not only about technique but about encouraging confidence, curiosity, and personal expression. Many students return year after year, and some eventually go on to exhibit their own work, which is incredibly rewarding to witness.

Looking back, the evolution of Galería San Francisco has taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and community. What began as a dream in a hard-to-find upstairs space has grown into a thriving gallery and learning center that contributes to the cultural life of San Miguel. I feel deeply grateful to spend my days surrounded by art, by creative people, and by the knowledge that the gallery continues to inspire others to explore and express their own creativity.

Huatulco

Oaxaca Avanza: How Art, Youth, and Community are Transforming Huatulco

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By Bianca Corona—

In Huatulco, a place known for its natural beauty and strong sense of community, a group of young locals is quietly, but now very visibly, reshaping what collective action and true sense of community can look like in a small town like this. Oaxaca Avanza is a civil association formed by young people from Huatulco with a shared goal: to build alliances, create access to tools and strategies, and actively contribute to making their municipality and Oaxaca state as a whole, a better place for everyone to live in, enjoy, and prosper.

Their official public launch came to life through a project that blended art, urban renewal, and community involvement: the Corredor Mural, a once neglected pedestrian walkway located near a school close to La Crucecita, now reborn as a vibrant, colorful, and meaningful public space.

From a Forgotten Space to a Living Corridor
The inauguration of Oaxaca Avanza and the Corredor Mural was a celebration filled with energy, creativity, and gratitude. Behind that moment, however, were months of planning and a full week of intense community work. Artists, neighbors, musicians, vendors, and volunteers came together to transform a space that had long been associated with neglect, insecurity, and disuse.

What was once a grey, deteriorated corridor is now a place filled with color, intention, and life. It’s now transformed into a space where people feel invited to walk, gather, and connect directly to Huatulco’s culture, through art.

The decision to start with this corridor was deeply intentional. Oaxaca Avanza’s newly opened office is located at one end of the space, and for the team, the daily reality of seeing the area’s challenges became a call to action. The corridor borders a kindergarten, children’s play areas, and residential homes, yet had become a site for trash accumulation, vandalism, and unsafe activity.

Rather than approaching the problem through exclusion or enforcement, the group chose a different path and use artistic expression as a tool for transformation.

Art as a Collective Act
The Corredor Mural was conceived as an inclusive, collaborative project. Led artistically by renowned Oaxacan muralist Irving Cano, the initiative brought together mostly Huatulco-based artists, along with a small number from other parts of Oaxaca. Each artist worked within a shared theme, Huatulco and the Coast, while maintaining complete creative freedom within their assigned space.

The murals collectively tell a story: from marine life and coastal landscapes to human presence and local identity. Each piece reflects a personal vision of Huatulco, shaped by the artist’s own experience of growing up, living, or creating in the region.

Importantly, no artist was paid. Every participant joined voluntarily, contributing their time and talent from the heart. In return, artists were given visibility, a public platform for their work, and the opportunity to exhibit and sell their art during the week-long activation of the corridor.

Seven Days of Community in Motion
For seven consecutive days, the corridor became a living cultural space. Visitors were invited not only to see the finished murals, but to witness the creative process itself. Watching blank walls evolve day by day into powerful and colorful works of art. To encourage participation, Oaxaca Avanza organized daily pop-up markets, live music, and small community gatherings down the walkway. Local musicians performed voluntarily, artisans set up booths without fees, and food vendors rotated throughout the week, creating a dynamic and ever-changing atmosphere. Each day felt different. Some days drew families and children, others brought students, artists, or athletes. What remained constant was the sense of shared ownership and collective pride. That’s what I’d call, “Orgullo Huatulqueño.”

No Logos, No Branding, Just Purpose
One of the most striking aspects of the project is what isn’t visible on the walls… logos. The entire project was funded through personal resources and outsourced support, deliberately avoiding corporate branding or sponsorship recognition on the murals themselves. For Oaxaca Avanza, this decision was essential. The murals belong to the community, not to any brand, institution, or organization…including their own.

Beyond Art: A Broader Vision for Huatulco
While the Corredor Mural is Oaxaca Avanza’s first official public project, it is far from their first community effort. The group has been active for several years, supporting vulnerable individuals, local initiatives, sports teams, and animal protection efforts. Often executing these outreaches informally and without public visibility.

The formalization of the association and the opening of a physical office mark a new chapter. The long-term goal is to become an authorized donation recipient, allowing individuals, businesses, and institutions to support future projects transparently and at a larger scale.

Looking ahead, Oaxaca Avanza envisions initiatives in culture, sports, animal welfare, public space rehabilitation, and community development, always guided by collaboration rather than politics, and inclusion rather than division.

A Space That Invites Participation
The Corredor Mural is not meant to be a static art installation. It is envisioned as a living space in which one can host markets, performances, bicycle tours, community gatherings, and cultural events. By bringing the corridor back to life, the project adds not only beauty, but also a new point of interest for residents and visitors alike.

It also serves as a reminder that improving quality of life is not limited to infrastructure or policy. Beauty, creativity, and shared spaces play a powerful role in how people experience safety, belonging, and pride in where they live.

An Open Door Forward
At its core, Oaxaca Avanza is an invitation. An invitation to participate, to propose ideas, to collaborate, and to contribute. Whether through time, creativity, resources, or simply presence. As Huatulco continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like this demonstrate what is possible when young people take ownership of their community and choose cooperation over division. The Corredor Mural is just the beginning.

Artist Recognition:
1.- Joel Montes
2.- Alejandra Elizabeth Aguilar Aguiar
3.- Lianne Aranza León Sánchez
4.- Edgar Ares Moscosa Bazar
5.- Marina Valdepeña
6.- Judith Martínez Caballero
7.- Janette Santiago Antonio
8.- María Eugenia Valle
9.- Alma Drew
10.- Diego Uriel González
11.- Odette Carolina Cabrera1
12.- Fernanda Butista
13.- José García López
14.- Yuri Enríquez
15.- Grisel Adriana
16.- Alina Sofía Reboredo Damasco
17.- Ariel Núñez Zabaleta
18.- Corina Lucio Olvera
19.- Alma Montero
20.- Fefo Loya Gartol
21.- Betina
22.- Carlo Sérbulo Alducin
23.- Michelle López García
24.- Roberto Hernández
25.- Julio César García Rodríguez
26.- Fernando
27.- Ángel Ernesto Rivera López
28.- Edwin Fierros
29.- Luis Antonio Ortiz Enríquez
30.- Roberto Domínguez
31.- José Martínez Adolfo
32.- Valois Prieto Alvarado
33.- Carlos Mendoza Salina

Huatulco

Editor’s Letter

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By Jane Bauer —

“Buy less. Choose well. Make it last” – Vivienne Westwood, English fashion designer and businesswoman.

Fifteen years ago, the first issue of The Eye rolled off the press. It was nothing more than two sheets of oversized newsprint, and the writers and I sat around a table folding each copy by hand. What pushed us to begin this project? By then, I had already lived in Mexico for more than a decade. I had married a Mexican, my daughter identifies as Mexican, and I’ve always preferred the rhythm of a small, non-touristy village to resort life. I could have continued drifting between two cultures, or I could create something that connected them. I also knew I wasn’t the only one navigating this space.

The Eye became that bridge.

Our mission is simple: to collect and share the stories, history, and layers of Mexico that readers might otherwise miss. We spotlight local businesses and give them a platform to reach new clients. We support organizations doing important work by helping them connect with volunteers and sponsors. At its heart, The Eye is about building community—not a parallel community that sits apart from the Mexican one, but a pathway into it. Learn about this place. Get involved. Participate. That has always been the purpose. And fifteen years later, it still is. We are very excited to announce the launch of The Eye San Miguel de Allende. Be sure to check it out.

This month, our writers explore fashion, a topic that can seem frivolous at first glance but is, in truth, a revealing lens through which to examine human behavior. The choice of what to wear is something each of us makes every day. Our clothes carry meaning, whether cultural, historical, or environmental. What are you wearing right now as you read this? What does your choice of fabric or brand say about you? Like all consumer goods, the items we choose to spend our money on have a rippling effect that, in an increasingly globalized world, can reach as far as the shores of Africa.

As we prepare for the New Year, let each of us take stock of the choices we make and the echoes they create.

Happy New Year, and see you in January.

Jane

Huatulco

El Sueño Zapoteco A.C. / Bacaanda Foundation: Smart Rural Schools That Transform Lives

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By Britt Jarnryd

With nearly 17 years of uninterrupted work, El Sueño Zapoteco A.C. / Bacaanda Foundation works tirelessly to open paths of opportunity in the most vulnerable rural communities along the coast and in the southern Sierra of Oaxaca. Recognized as an authorized nonprofit organization in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, it is committed to a clear purpose: to provide children and young people with a dignified, equitable, and quality education.

Today, that dream has taken shape through the Smart Rural School project—an innovative initiative designed to strengthen learning in Spanish and mathematics by incorporating technology, ongoing teacher training, and educational mentorship as essential pillars. This comprehensive model combines digital tools, pedagogical development, and financial support for rural teachers, dignifying their work and reducing teacher turnover—one of the main challenges in rural areas.

The program’s goals include expanding meaningful learning, encouraging the use of technology in teaching, developing digital and socio-emotional skills, and ensuring that teachers remain in their communities. In addition, systematic evaluations track academic progress, guaranteeing continuous improvement in educational outcomes.

Each classroom is equipped with a smart screen, iPads (one for every two students), educational applications, satellite internet, and digital programs for Spanish and mathematics. Thanks to joint efforts and the commitment of our partners, all of our rural schools are now connected to satellite internet—opening the doors of knowledge to the world.

For the 2025–2026 school year, the program is being implemented in 52 rural schools, benefiting 57 teachers and more than 550 students. The results are evident: improved reading comprehension, stronger logical-mathematical thinking, more motivated teachers, and school communities strengthened by hope.Yet much remains to be done. We invite you to be part of this dream:Sponsor a school and transform the life of a community.

Contribute to the monthly cost of satellite internet that keeps the connection to learning alive.Support teacher training or sponsor a rural teacher, ensuring their development and permanence. Every donation plants the seeds of the future. Join El Sueño Zapoteco A.C. / Bacaanda Foundation and together let’s continue building an Oaxaca where education transforms lives and keeps dreams alive.

 

Huatulco

A Project with Vision

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By Jane Bauer

It was an honor to spend Sunday, October 28th in the communities of Xadani and Zimatan with Melanie Petelle, providing vision tests and distributing over 100 pairs of reading glasses.

The experience was not only rewarding but also eye-opening in more ways than one. Witnessing the gratitude of people receiving their first pair of glasses was a powerful reminder of how something as simple as a pair of reading glasses can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

I can relate to this experience personally—when I first started needing reading glasses a few years ago, I was surprised by how much they improved my daily life. Today, I carry them with me everywhere.

For so many, clear vision can be a luxury they cannot afford, and the act of giving back, even in small ways, can make a world of difference. According to the World Health Organization, over 2.7 billion people globally suffer from uncorrected poor vision.

For many individuals, basic tasks like reading, driving, or even recognizing loved ones can be a struggle. The good news is that the solution is often simple and inexpensive—just like the vision tests and glasses distributed in Xadani and Zimatan.

By offering such services, we can help reduce the strain caused by poor vision, improving not just the ability to see clearly but also the overall well-being of these communities. This initiative is a beautiful example of how we all have gifts, whether they be professional skills or the ability to contribute our time and resources, that can be shared to help others. It reminds us that small acts of kindness and service can have a profound, lasting impact.

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Editor’s Letter

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By Jane Bauer

The New Year can be magical, depressing or just another day. It’s hard to believe that 22 years ago the world waited with baited breath to see if all our technology would collapse. I was pregnant at the time and already living in a Mexican village without a telephone so I wasn’t too worried about what it would mean for me if all the computers shut down.

Back in 2012 we pondered the Mayan doomsday prophecy that the world would end. I wasn’t too concerned then, either – just wanted to be surrounded by people I love.

Well, technology is still going strong and there are more of us than ever before – even with a pandemic, the world population is 7.9 billion, so I don’t think we will be going on the extinct species list anytime soon.

The go-to man for predictions for the last 500 years or so has been the French physician Michel de Nostredame, most commonly known as Nostradamus. For 2022 Nostradamus has predicted asteroids raining down on the earth, massive world hunger, migrant issues, inflation spiraling out of control, the fall of the European Union, shortage of resources leading to a climate war and a massive earthquake.

And it is the season when the message board threads fill with cringe-worthy questions and comments regarding the cheapest way to get from the airport or warning people about waiters scamming them. The underlying vibe of these queries seems to be that the posters are worried about being overcharged or scammed, which suggests they have the expectation that is the norm here. It is not.

The airport: Like most international airports there is transportation. Average cost, per person, is 180 pesos. There is no need to arrange beforehand. Easy. To return to the airport at the end of your holiday expect to pay about 200 pesos for a standard taxi. The variation in cost between coming and going has to do with airport transportation services paying more for their license etc. This is common practice in many places. Don’t overthink it.

Tipping: Tip a minimum of 15% at restaurants. If the beach waiter adds 10% service (which is often how it is done here) be sure to add some extra to show your gratitude for great service. When someone bags your shopping at the grocery store, pumps your gas, delivers food, massages you, pedicures your dry winter feet – tipping is standard etiquette – not charity. Be generous, be gracious and be grateful and you will find yourself surrounded by a community of hard-working people who will go above and beyond to help you.

My theory is that reality will rise up to meet your expectations. So whether it is what the new year has to offer or what to expect on your holiday, move through the world with positive purpose, be respectful of the unknown, seek out the good in each moment – especially in the difficult moments.

See you next month,

Jane