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OUR PRIME OF LIFE

    Musings

    Wrapping Up 2020, A Year Of Introspection

    January 2, 2021

    As we enter the new year,  I thought I would reflect on the old, the horrible year of 2020. That, in retrospect, wasn’t too horrible for us.

    We started it off in Merida. We had escaped the cold weather in San Miguel in November 2019 headed to the beaches and finished with hosting friends.

    Glenn and I had a lot planned for the year, culminating in a six-month trip to South East Asia in September.

    Little did we know what actually awaited us.. I should have had an inkling when I got as close to a manic episode as I had been since we moved to Mexico in April 2018. I was teetering on the edge, trying to stay away from tipping entirely. Maybe that was an unconscious prelude to what was to come. Continue Reading…

    Musings, San Miguel de Allende

    I Live In A Place Of Worship

    December 23, 2020

    It is Christmas time and in this crazy, whacked-out year of 2020, many are thinking about their place in the world, their beliefs, and their god.

    My parents raised me Catholic, I went to Sunday school, first communion, and confirmation. And then I stopped.

    I have never been religious, but I have definitely felt connected to something bigger than I am. I kind of have to, being such a small part of everything. I have reigned in my Bipolar disorder and no longer feel I am the anointed one. But more often than not now, I feel a spiritual connection to that which surrounds me.

    I have felt it in the great outdoors, in the cathedrals of Europe, at the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Giza, and settling in at the beach with a good book on a summer’s day. Continue Reading…

    San Miguel de Allende

    A New Facebook Writers’ Group In San Miguel

    December 11, 2020

    San Miguel is such an incredibly creative town. The lack of in-person social gatherings has tempered our spirits a bit, but many are still occupying our time with artistic endeavors.

    For writers, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference is still offering amazing keynotes, literary events, and workshops.

    Blogs are still being written. Books published and released. ZOOM meetings called to order.

    In keeping with the need for outlets, and offer a group where San Miguel authors and writers can find each other and support, encourage, and network. I have started a Facebook Group – Writers Of San Miguel De Allende.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/sanmiguelwriters

    Continue Reading…

    Calls For Action, Musings

    Just Don’t Fly, The Petrie Dish Of Travel

    November 17, 2020

    CRAMMED!! And Miserable.

    That is what we were. Our Volaris Leon to Tijuana flight was almost full, mine returning to Leon from Oakland; not an empty seat anywhere.

    We weren’t flying to California for pleasure. It was something Glenn had to do.

    There was no social distancing, although we tried to create some space around us. They say flights should be safe. The filters used, I guess. But being at an airport or on a plane is just not what we should do right now.

    In our minds, we believed we would be ok with flying. We were nervous, but circumstances required us to come to California. The reality was not something we prepared for. We had the masks and the face visor, the sanitizing gel, and the alcohol spray. Who cared if we looked ridiculous. When COVID started a friend of ours flew in a hazmat suit. Looking back, that isn’t a bad idea. Continue Reading…

    San Miguel de Allende, State Of Guanajuato

    La Parroquia, The Sentinel

    October 6, 2020

    In San Miguel de Allende, our Parroquia, or parish church, stands proudly sentinel over the main town square, the Jardin, like a pink tiered wedding cake.

    Its Gaudi like design and pinnacles are a point of reference, a beacon, and the eyes over town.

    A stalwart on a hill in Centro, we can see it above or peeking through small lanes and alleyways guiding residents and visitors to our heart.

    This year, 2020, our heart is going through a bypass.

    In the beginning, San Miguel indulged, as it always does.

    Splashed out weddings and Quinceaneras brought forth a parade of finery.

    A horse-drawn carriage, a vintage car.

    Thrown rice, and balloons let loose from hands made sticky from the tostilocos. Continue Reading…

    Musings, San Miguel de Allende

    Not Everyone Can Take A Stroll

    September 18, 2020

    My husband and I woke up this morning and took a stroll down to Rustica, one of our favorite cafes in San Miguel.

    There, among the plants and trees and tinkling fountain, I thought about how lucky we are that we can amble along and that we have such a lovely place to do it.

    Not everyone can do so.

    Almost everyone can walk. Some plod or trudge along, some power walk, others move quickly forward with long purposeful strides.

    Many are doing it to get somewhere.

    Walking is a necessity for some, they have no other way of getting around. Bus routes don’t work in their neighborhood, or along the route they need to take. The timetables don’t coincide with what they need to do. A car has broken down or is non-existent in the first place; for whatever reason. Continue Reading…

    San Miguel de Allende

    COVID Be Damned, Mexico Is Still Here!

    September 17, 2020

    Life in Mexico and San Miguel de Allende may be quieter, and in San Miguel, a town known for its festivals, parades and all-around good time, I kind of feel like our toys have been put back in the toy box. Like someone has cleaned up our room.

    I miss those other times, everyone does.

    But, last night, for a few minutes, San Miguel played dress up and danced in the skies.

    David and Kathy rang our doorbell and we ushered them in for drinks, music, and a tasty dinner made by my esposo marveloso!

    We had invited them over because we have a stunning view and this would be the first time we would see fireworks since we moved to this house in April. As mentioned, the skies of San Miguel have been silent. But it was El Grito and Mexico celebrates. Continue Reading…

    Calls For Action, Musings, San Miguel de Allende

    Can A Place Be The Best Medicine?

    September 11, 2020

    I am having my morning coffee, looking out past the end of our terrace to our awakening town.

    It rained overnight, so there are small puddles on the tiles and the air is cool, not cold.

    I am allowing the calm beauty of San Miguel de Allende to seep into my soul.

    It is a great time for contemplation.

    Have you ever thought not only, “what is my place in the world?” but “where in the world is my place?”

    They are questions worth thinking about. Especially now, when the world is in turmoil. And most people are too.

    The first question is one for the ages. Tomes written and entire lives spent trying to eke out an answer that may never be found.

    The second question, where is my place? My dot on a map. My grounding. Where I place my feet. Where I feel home. Where I am my best me. That might be a bit easier. But the search might be just as long. You have to open your mind to it. Not be afraid of change. Continue Reading…

    Musings, San Miguel de Allende

    I Love When I Am Surprised

    September 2, 2020

    It is five-thirty in the afternoon.

    Glenn and I just got home from a walk we started after my Wednesday writer’s group.

    We didn’t really have a set path to follow. We just entered town and walked.

    At the outset, I was tired, hot, and slightly annoyed. But I knew we needed the exercise. And I needed to spend some time with my husband. We are both trying to lose a bit of weight. Walking is necessary.

    We followed tiny roads near the top of town down to Cinco de Mayo, then came along Salida Celaya back towards Centro.

    At home, we had broken a few glasses. Typical clear, heavy Mexican ones. And we needed to replace them but were in no hurry to. We would find some eventually.

    So we meandered. Continue Reading…

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About Us

About Us

We are Glenn and Ria Talken and we are in what we consider Our Prime Of Life, it is not about age, to us it is about lifestyle choices. We have known each other and been great friends for 27years, have been together since 2013 and just got married May 2017. Having spent a good portion of our adult years traveling around the world and working in the travel industry we took the big leap and headed off on new adventures in our retirement years. We sold our house, got rid of everything we owned and planned a course with 6 suitcases in tow. Join us to see what is in store! Continue Reading ...

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  • Wrapping Up 2020, A Year Of Introspection
  • I Live In A Place Of Worship
  • A New Facebook Writers’ Group In San Miguel
  • Just Don’t Fly, The Petrie Dish Of Travel
  • La Parroquia, The Sentinel

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