Page 23 - Eternal San Miguel de Allende

In 2008, the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with this global recognition came sudden rapid changes, floods of visitors and new arrivals. Full disclosure: I’m one of them, first visiting as a tourist in 2013, and moving here full-time in 2014.
The people I’ve met and continue to meet here are like no other. People from all walks of life call this home, alongside Mexicanos, who have been living here for many centuries. Here’s a quick story: My neighbor operates a small bodega that sells sodas, water, potato chips, etc. I once asked him where was he born, and he pointed to the Coca-Cola machine
in the corner. He said, “Right there. My family has been in this spot for over a thousand years!”
The spring-like climate, old-world architecture, vibrant cultural events, great food, and a romantic setting like no other makes San Miguel de Allende one of the most visited destinations in the world. But like Venice and Florence in Italy, and other beloved spots around the globe, too much love from humanity comes at a high cost. Can San Miguel adapt and reconfigure while retaining the allure? We who live here ponder that question every visitor-packed weekend.v
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