I love to travel, but I came to San Miguel de Allende with a higher purpose, specifically to attend a 5-day workshop: “Travel Writing as Memoir,” with writer Rolf Potts. The class was offered by Santa Fe Workshops, which is best known for its photography courses. While here, Alison Wright (2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year) and Texan Keith Carter (Texas Medal of Arts, 12+ books / monographs) led weeklong sessions as well.
At the end of the week, the writers and photographers gather for a fabulous feast at the Hotel Posada de la Aldea, which hosts workshops as well as quite a few weddings. After dinner and more than a few margaritas, workshop participants moved to a larger space, where we would showcase a sample of our best work for the week.
For writers, this meant reading a very short (one page), one minute story. While the photographers had the benefit of nude models and exotic locales, we had only our words.
My introduction went something like this: “This is a story about going out for a drink to a very fancy hotel. The cast includes me; my friend, Terry, who owns the home where I’m staying here in San Miguel; her husband, Doug; and, Terry’s mom. It’s called … “
"PARTY OF FOUR"
All we want is a drink. OK, actually four drinks. Margaritas. Three frozen, one on the rocks. And a table. Preferably with a view. Of the main church, the Parroquia. And the sunset. Away from the speakers. And the DJ. Please, nowhere near the DJ.
What? Really? You’re going to sit us there? In the courtyard? Behind the shrubbery?
Fifteen minutes pass. Thirty. Forty-five. Will somebody please take our order? We looked around. Who’s our waiter? I have no idea. Hugo is our waiter? Where is he? What about the guy carrying that tray of empty drinks? Walking back and forth. Ignoring us for the fifth time. Oh, that’s Hugo?
Do we have a reservation? No … but do you see that woman? That’s my friend’s mom, Rosie. She’s 96. You have made a 96-year-old woman named Rosie wait 45 minutes for a drink. How do you know Rosie doesn’t own this place, the ROSE-wood? Did I mention she’s 96?
Please go find Hugo and get us our drinks. And you better make Rosie’s 2-for-1!
All we wanted was a drink.
