ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED

Know how I mentioned that yoga retreat in San Miguel de Allende yesterday? Well, a trip to SMdA is just about the only thing left on my bucket list.  It was placed there about ten years ago, when I first read a book called On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel de Allende, by Tony Cohan.

When I first heard about this yoga reatreat about a week ago, I didn't really pay it any mind. Sure, I'd love to go to there, but hubby and I have never really done yoga. Plus, if I ever do get to San Miguel, I do not want to be herded around in a pack all day every day. I want to be "on Mexican time" -- able to soak it all in at my own pace.

But then I went to coffee with The Muses on Tuesday, and found out that Spirit Woman and her hubby had signed up for the retreat. She told me that the yoga part was optional, and you could do as much or as little as you choose. I asked her to forward the information to me, just for the heck of it.

Once I saw the itinerary, and actual photos of the area where we would be staying, and what all we would be seeing, well, I was a goner. The few optional group activities were all to fabulous things like the Tuesday Market, the art and cultural institutes, and  La Gruta -- a natural hot springs spa with outdoor pools, a waterfall, and a cavern where you can swim -- and were balanced with oodles of time to wander on your own, sketch, or just sit in a cafe and do some people watching. Best of all, the cost was a mere fraction of what we paid for our river cruise in France, the trip would begin and end in the Brookshire Bros. parking lot, right here in Wimberley (with someone else fretting about all the worrisome bits), and the high temps in this little mountain enclave would be in the mid-70s while we were there. In August! I spent about 24 hours struggling with whether this would be a good time for us to go, what with the wedding and all, whether it would be a safe place to travel, or whether we should be spending the money, what with the kitchen re-do, until finally John took me by the shoulders and said "Just do it for pete's sake! Get in there and make the reservation!"

Now picture my big red balloon exploding, when I discovered that the tour was already fully booked.

P.S. These pictures were taken, not in San Miguel de Allende, but at the next best thing -- Fonda San Miguel restaurant, in Austin, TX.