FORUMS & LETTERS


Editor,

In response to Joy Emery’s letter in Atención two weeks ago re: the emergence of Starbucks, I know of many others who are upset, angry and mystified that the San Miguel administration would allow a company like Starbucks to open in San Miguel, let alone in a central location. What happened to their supposed mandate to preserve the integrity of the historic center? What will happen to all the quaint Mexican coffee shops that people enjoy frequenting now? We all know the answer to that. When big US chains hit the town, you can kiss the small vendors goodbye along with the unique charm and character of the town—it will simply become a US city clone. For those who need their Starbucks’ fix, their Wal-Marts and Office Depots, why did you come to San Miguel in the first place?

Those who love San Miguel, its history and culture, should be disturbed and concerned about this encroachment of US megalomania and the impact it will have on San Miguel.


Myrna Wesley



Editor,

During my month in San Miguel de Allende, I had four visitors. All of them, including me, had the same problem with the shuttle service, Viajes San Miguel, between Leon and SMA; that is, round-trip payment was demanded upon arrival in SMA (round-trip reservations had been made), paid in full by all of us, but upon arrival in Leon, all shuttle drivers again demanded payment for the SMA to Leon leg, insisting that a round-trip had NOT been paid. (Viajes San Miguel did not give receipts for advance payments.) Fortunately, all of us refused to pay a second time, and the shuttle drivers finally backed off.

I have written three times to Viajes San Miguel, telling them what happened, but no one has answered my emails. They answered quickly enough when making shuttle reservations. Let the buyer beware.

Carol Mizrahi



Editor,

Whenever any of my family or friends face a challenge, my first reaction is to phone Silent Unity, the prayer ministry of Unity School of Christianity, to request their 'round the clock prayers. In addition to my conventional religious upbringing, Unity literature, at various times in three languages, has been a part of my daily meditation.

And so it was with delight that, about a year or so ago, I read a letter by Rev. Nancy Anderson in Atención inviting residents of San Miguel to join the Unity community here.

The Friends of Unity in San Miguel have been meeting for over fifteen years, most of that time at the home of Sue Paris, a charming and beautiful long-time resident of our city. We now meet from 10:30 to 11:30am on Thursdays under the auspices of the Center for Unity in Diversity in their room at Juan’s Cafe Etc., Reloj 37 in Centro, around the corner from the Biblioteca.

The service includes meditation, answering of prayer requests and a stimulating metaphysical spiritual discussion.

Other events that are sponsored by the Center for Unity in Diversity are Philosophy of Life dialogues in English on Tuesdays at 10:30am and 1:30pm and in Spanish at 4pm on Thursdays.

It has been a great blessing to me to discover the center and the Friends of Unity Thursday meetings. I invite people interested in attending to call me at 152-2253 or Rev. Nancy Anderson at 152-4606.

Mireille Rita Grovier



Editor,

Glenda Robinson’s article about the wonderful RISD student collaboration with Casita Linda overlooked an important aspect of the success—the participation of local architect Pedro Urquiza. Not only did Pedro help by providing materials at cost but he drew on his 20-plus years of adobe building experience and passion for the traditions taking much of two work weeks to show the students how to build walls and vaults and passing on practical engineering experience. He took them to his factory. He loaned them forms. He took them to see a traditional 18th-century adobe house (my house) being built and he provided at least two of his maestros to work along side the students. I know this was a great boost to the students’ work. Myself and a local company, Tierra y Cal, have volunteered to help with the plastering using complementary natural materials and to work with Casita Linda and RISD to keep the momentum going. Building with locally available natural materials makes so much sense and yes, it will be “awesome” for local communities using soil around them and the support of local expertise to join the 70 percent of the world’s population that lives in sustainable earth houses.

One small quibble with Ms. Robinson’s assertion about wealthy expats looking for authenticity. In my experience most people building here couldn’t care less about the choice of materials used for their houses as long as it's cheap. Authenticity is more often sought in a pastiche of decorative elements than in the natural beauty of earthen architecture.

John Perkins



Editor,

I think it is vitally important that the level of sanitation and food service in this beautiful city be kept at highest standards for the thousands of visitors who pass through and frequent the many restaurants. As I have contacted the Villa Santa Monica twice and received no response I am assuming that they are not taking my letter to them as being one they should deal with. I am therefore sending out this warning to all potential visitors to the restaurant of Villa Santa Monica: Beware. Three of us who ate there last Friday have been deathly ill for three days with horrendous vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and dehydration. Food poisoning is serious and often fatal especially with those who are in the over-65 category. Lack of sanitation, faulty refrigeration, or general unhygienic conditions can contaminate food very quickly. Visitors Beware: Villa Santa Monica may look good on the outside but certainly poses a potential threat to your health and well-being!

Joan Bennett