February 28, 2025: Welcome to our belated February cocktail hour. We managed to escape 28 out of the first 40 days of our despicable current regime’s term by leaving the country. Of course our escaping didn’t stop things from happening, horrible things, but at least we felt a step removed from it all. We spent 8 days of the month in Nicaragua visiting Adam and his family. The remainder of February we spent in Mexico: Mexico City, Guanajuato, and San Miguel de Allende (our time there spilled over slightly into March).
Let’s have a Michelada today in celebration of our time in Mexico, which we loved. A Michelada is made with tomato juice, beer, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and hot sauce. And lots of spices around the rim of the glass. 🙂
I also have a variety of beers, soda or seltzer water if you are extending dry January into February. Or if you are generally dry. 
How did your February go? Did you have a happy Groundhog Day/Valentine’s Day/President’s Day? Have you welcomed any new additions to your family? Have you read any good books that can inform your worldview, seen any good movies, binge-watched any television series? Have you planned any adventures or had any winter getaways? Have you dreamed any dreams? Have you gone to any exotic restaurants, cooked any new dishes? Have you been surprised by anything in life? Have you learned anything new, taken any classes or just kept up with the news? Have you sung along with any new songs? Have you undertaken any new exercise routines? Have you marched or otherwise participated in political protests? Have you been battered, or alternately, uplifted by any news?
We were only in the U.S. for five days before we took off for Nicaragua on the 6th of the month. Before leaving, we were busy preparing for our month-long trip. I had pack and to wrap presents for Adam’s kids, as we planned give them their belated Christmas gifts.
On Saturday, February 1, Mike and I went to dinner at Ariake; this was another of our daughter Sarah’s gift certificates to us for Christmas.
me at Ariake
Mike at Ariake
Virginia > Managua > Ometepe > Managua
We spread our trip to Ometepe over two days this time, leaving home late in the afternoon on Thursday the 6th, arriving in Managua at 10:30 p.m., and then traveling the next day, Friday, with a driver from Managua to Rivas, a ferry to Ometepe and a rental car to Balgüe. This was easier than our usual method of leaving at 3:00 a.m and arriving at 6 p.m. all on the same day.
The biggest highlight was of course meeting our newest grandson, Michael Christopher Dutchak Hernandez. We call him “Little Mikey” to differentiate him from his grandfather. Mikey turned 9 months old the day after we left, on February 15. He was a joy to meet; he looks just like Adam did when he was a baby. We spent the first afternoon bringing Andrea and Mia to the pool at Totoco to swim. Later the whole family had dinner together there, while we watched little Mike scoot across the cool tile floor chasing after his toys.
Little Mike & Adam at Adam’s casa
Andrea & Mia at Totoco’s pool
Dido with Andrea & Mia at Totoco
Maria and Little Man at Totoco
Cristy, Mike and Mia at Totoco
me with Adam at Totoco
On Saturday morning, we gave Christmas presents to the girls and Mikey at their casa. Last time we didn’t bring anything and took them to a used clothing store to buy things. This time I was happy to give them brand new clothes from the U.S. Luckily everything fit except Andrea’s shoes, which she’ll grow into. After our gift-giving, we took the girls to the Saturday market where we bought them each a piece of jewelry and some ice cream.
I was included in the Saturday afternoon Texas Hold’em poker game at Cafe Campestre. It was a blast with lots of joking around. I was happy to be part of it and to get to know some of Adam’s expat friends. After the poker game, Maria and the kids joined us for dinner there.
Andrea upwraps a Christmas present
Andrea, Mia and Cristy at the Farmer’s Market 2025
Helado time for the girls: Andrea, Mia and Cristy
Adam and me playing poker at Cafe Campestre
the poker crowd at Cafe Campestre
me, Adam, Maria & little Mike at Cafe Campestre
Cristy, Mia, Mike and Andrea at Cafe Campestre
Totoco has built a new yoga pavilion overlooking the lake so Mike and I did a yoga class with Robin from Montreal on Sunday. Despite it being the dry season, the lake was still high because of the previous rainy season and some unusual rain during the dry season. It actually was much cooler than it’s ever been in Nicaragua during our visits; we hardly felt the need to swim in the pool at all. One day we had downpours off and on all day.
We had a set of bunkbeds in our room, so we had all three girls over to our room for a sleepover Sunday night. Before bed, we played about 5 rounds of Kings-around-the corner in the Totoco lodge. Of course competitive Andrea won the most games.
Mike & I after our yoga class at the new Totoco pavilion 2025
Cristy, Andrea and Mia at Totoco for a sleepover
Mia, Cristy and Andrea at the Totoco yoga pavilion after the sleepover
We took the family to Ojo de Agua on Monday for a fun day outing. It was Mikey’s first time in a swimming pool, and he loved it. Mike, Adam, Andrea and even Cristy jumped off the Tarzan swing, while Mia hung out on the more sedate swings. I swam around, got stung by a wasp and dropped my phone into the water when I slipped on the wet pavement.
Little Mike fast asleep in the hammock
Maria, Mike and Adam at Ojo de Agua
Maria and Mike at Ojo de Agua
Andrea & Mia at Ojo de Agua
Cristy at Ojo de Agua
Mia on the swings at Ojo de Agua
Ojo de Agua
the family at Ojo de Agua
Mike in front, Adam and Maria in back, at Ojo de Agua 2025
me with Mike drinking Coco locos at Ojo de Agua
The family got a little stressed out by us being around and we went Tuesday and Wednesday without seeing them at all. We were supposed to celebrate Maria’s birthday on the 12th, but she got angry at Adam for something and wasn’t speaking to him so we left them alone. Mike and I managed to entertain ourselves, as we always do. We went to a special healing session with biofield tuning forks led by Crissie at the Totoco yoga pavilion. I fell asleep and starting snoring so Mike had to nudge me awake. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon despite high winds and rain coming sideways into the pavilion.
Mike and I drove to Moyogalpa on Wednesday to try to buy some furniture for the family, but sadly we couldn’t find anything. We did buy Maria a couple of dresses, as well as some toys for Mikey.
me at Totoco
sunset view from Totoco over Volcán Concepcion 2025
sunset view from Totoco over Volcán Concepcion 2025
sunset view from Totoco over Volcán Concepcion
The most helpful thing we did, or I should say Mike and Adam did, was to disassemble and reassemble a playpen/crib which their midwife had given them, to fit their needs. I did my part dusting off the cobwebs, no small feat because of all the slats. Adam introduced us to the cow he and Ben own together; they keep her on Ben’s property at Finca Campestre. Later, we brought Andrea and Mia to the pool again, where they had fun splashing around with Papacito.
Dido & little Mike
Mike tries crawling over the rough stone porch
Mia off to school
Cristy, Mia and Mike in his new crib/playpen 2025
Adam and Ben’s cow 2025
Andrea & Mia at the Totoco pool
Our last night going to dinner at Pizzeria Mediterranea was ruined because as soon as we arrived, little Mike started throwing up all over the place and Maria felt she should take him home. Thus we had our final dinner with Adam and the girls, all of whom were fidgety because they were worried about their mom and little brother.
Maria in one new dress we bought her, Mikey and Adam 2025
Mike & Adam at Pizzeria Mediterranea
Cristy, Mia & Andrea at Pizzeria Mediterranea
When it was time to leave on Friday the 14th, we drove the car an hour to Moyogalpa, took the ferry for an hour, and had our driver Dani drive two hours to Managua on Valentine’s day. All the seats in the dining room were booked for Valentine’s Day at the Best Western, so we ate dinner outside by the pool. The next day, Saturday the 15th, we were up at 3:00 to catch an early flight to San Salvador and on to Mexico City.
dinner by the pool in Managua’s Best Western
flying into Mexico City
Mexico City
We loved our stay in the Roma Norte neighborhood of Mexico City for six nights. We spent Sunday doing a self-guided walking tour of Roma Norte. What a colorful and charming neighborhood.
Mike at Tr3s Tonalá
Roma Norte
me in Roma Norte
me in Roma Norte
Mike in Roma Norte
Mike in the Modo Museo Del Objeto
Golden Goose in Roma Norte
me at Plaza Rio de Janeiro
Edificio Rio de Janeiro
lunch at Cafe Toscano
me at Cafe Toscano
Bob Dylan mural
mural in Roma Norte
We spent Monday, when most museums in the city were closed, taking an excursion to Teotihuacán, once the largest city in ancient Mexico known for its impressive pyramids and mosaics, and capital of a pre-Hispanic empire.
balloons over Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán
Mike on the backside of Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán
Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán
Mike in front of Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán
me at Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán
view down the Avenue of the Dead to Pyramid of the Sun
Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl
Mike at Counterculture Cafe for lunch
me back at Tr3s Tonalá for dinner
On Tuesday, we spent the day in Centro Histórico, visiting the Catedral Metropolitana and Templo Mayor, a temple complex that was the center of the universe, according to Aztec cosmology. We also visited the Palacio de Correos de México (Postal Palace), the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), the Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles), and finally the Museo Nacional de Arte. We topped off our day with dinner at Páramo, a “hip” restaurant in the Roma Norte neighborhood. We were by far the oldest ones there.
Catedral Metropolitana
Catedral Metropolitana
Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor
Mike at Templo Mayor
me at Templo Mayor
Palacio de Correos de México
Palacio de Correos de México
Palacio de Correos de México
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Casa de los Azulejos
Casa de los Azulejos
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Museo Nacional de Arte
Páramo
Mike at Páramo
me at Páramo
On Wednesday, we ventured to Polanco to see the Museo Jumex and Museo Soumaya. We went from there to the expansive Museo Nacional de Antropologia, which took us several hours. In the beautiful Condessa barrio, we walked a circular route around the leafy Avenida Amsterdam which took us around peaceful Parque México, the oval shape of which reflects its earlier use as a hippodromo (horse-racing track). We stopped at Butcher & Sons for happy hour drinks.
Museo Soumaya
Museo Jumex
Museo Jumex
Museo Jumex
Museo Jumex
Museo Jumex
Museo Jumex
Museo Jumex
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Santas Conchas Lonchería
me at Santas Conchas Lonchería
Avenida Amsterdam in Condessa
Avenida Amsterdam in Condessa
Avenida Amsterdam in Condessa
Avenida Amsterdam in Condessa
On Thursday, we visited the southern neighborhoods of the city, San Ángel and Coyoacán, visiting the Templo & Museo del Carmen and the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo. Sadly we didn’t buy tickets far enough in advance to see the Frida Kahlo Museum; they were sold out until mid-March. What poor planning on my part, especially considering it was the primary place I wanted to visit in Mexico City. In Coyoacán, we visited the interesting Museo Casa de León Trotsky. Finally, we dropped into Romita, a small colorful plaza in the midst of Roma Norte; we walked home, stopping at a sidewalk cafe along the way for cold cervezas. We later had a delicious dinner at La Chicha Roma.
me at Templo & Museo del Carmen
Templo & Museo del Carmen
Templo & Museo del Carmen
Templo & Museo del Carmen
San Ángel
me in San Ángel
San Ángel
San Ángel
me shopping in San Ángel
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Maque Café
me at Maque Café
Museo Casa de León Trotsky
Museo Casa de León Trotsky
The room where Trotsky was assassinated in Museo Casa de León Trotsky
Museo Casa de León Trotsky
Museo Casa de León Trotsky
Romita
Romita
Roma Norte
Mike in Roma Norte
cafe in Roma Norte
Roma Norte
Tr3s Tonala
Mike at La Chicha Roma
wrapped jalapeño chilies in ham at La Chicha Roma
On Friday, the 21st, we rented a car and drove 7 hours (it was supposed to be 4 1/2 but more on that in another post) to Guanajuato, where we stayed for four nights. We stayed in the most wonderful apartment, Hotel Terra Vista, on a ridge overlooking the colorful city. Guanajuato sits in a valley with a network of 28 tunnels running underneath it.
Hotel Terra Vista
bedroom in Hotel Terra Vista
living area in Hotel Terra Vista
On Saturday, the 22nd, we strolled through the Jardín de la Unión, went inside the Teatro Juárez, ate lunch near Plaza de la Paz, and then walked aimlessly around the colorful and charming town. To get back to our apartment, we took the Funicular Panorámico up the hillside to the rose-colored El Pípila statute.
terrace at Hotel Terra Vista
Hotel Terra Vista
walking down the steps into town
the long walk down
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Teatro Juárez
Jardín de la Unión in Guanajuato
Mike in Jardín de la Unión
Guanajuato
me in Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Plaza de la Paz in Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Universidad de Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
inside Teatro Juárez
inside Teatro Juárez
inside Teatro Juárez
inside Teatro Juárez
at the top of the funicular looking down on Guanajuato
view of Guanajuato from the ridge
Mike above Guanajuato
chickens at Hotel Terra Vista
terrace at Hotel Terra Vista
getting dinner near our hotel in Guanajuato
our assembled meal
On Sunday, the 23rd, we tried for the second time to climb to the top of the Universidad de Guanajuato but we were told it was closed until Monday. Instead, we visited the Museo Casa Diego Rivera, the birthplace of the famous muralist. We also visited the Alhóndiga de Granaditas (public grain exchange), now the regional museum of Guanajuato City. It is important for its role in the Mexican War of Independence.
Guanajuato
Universidad de Guanajuato
Museo Casa Diego Rivera
Museo Casa Diego Rivera
Museo Casa Diego Rivera
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
Alhóndiga de Granaditas
view of Guanajuato
chickens at Terra Vista
Teatro Juárez
musicians in front of Teatro Juárez
On Monday, our last day in Guanajuato, we wandered around to the kissing street, where two balconies across a narrow lane from each other are so close that a couple can kiss each other from the two balconies. Finally, we visited the Mercado Hidalgo and had lunch at a small joint called Mariscos del Mar.
We had many political discussions with other guests and the Canadian owners of Terra Vista, and luckily, since none of them were Trumpers, we found we were mostly on the same page in our disgust with the current administration. And it had only just begun!
church in Guanajuato
Universidad de Guanajuato
the kissing street
Mercado Hidalgo
Mercado Hidalgo
Mike at Mercado Hidalgo
On Tuesday the 25th, we drove over scrubby high chaparral to San Miguel de Allende, making stops at Santa Rosa de Lima, known for its pottery and majolica, and for its jams and salsas sold at Conservas Santa Rosa.
Endre and Mike: farewell to Terra Vista
Mayólica Santa Rosa in Santa Rosa de Lima
Mayólica Santa Rosa in Santa Rosa de Lima
Conservas Santa Rosa in Santa Rosa de Lima
Conservas Santa Rosa in Santa Rosa de Lima
We also stopped in Dolores Hidalgo, named a Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) in 2002. The town’s hero, Father Miguel Hidalgo, led the charge in 1810 from the town’s church, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores parish church, for Mexico’s independence from Spain.
Iglesia de la Tercera Orden in Dolores Hidalgo
Iglesia de la Tercera Orden in Dolores Hidalgo
Mike gets fresh mango in Dolores Hidalgo
Plaza Principal in Dolores Hidalgo
Plaza Principal in Dolores Hidalgo
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores parish church
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores parish church
We arrived in San Miguel de Allende on the evening of the 25th, tossed our bags into our Airbnb, and promptly went out to eat at La Doña San Miguel.
our Airbnb in San Miguel de Allende
our Airbnb in San Miguel de Allende
our Airbnb in San Miguel de Allende
our Airbnb in San Miguel de Allende
our Airbnb in San Miguel de Allende
dinner at La Doña San Miguel
view of San Miguel at sunset
Mike’s 71st birthday was Wednesday, February 26, so I asked him to choose the day’s itinerary. We went on a day-long excursion where we soaked at La Gruta hot springs, enjoyed lunch at Nirvana, visited Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco to see its fantastic murals, and then went to Tres Raíces Winery. The only negative to the day was the hour-long wait to get back into San Miguel due to major road construction.
La Gruta hot springs
Mike at La Gruta hot springs
me at La Gruta
La Gruta
La Gruta
La Gruta
La Gruta
Mike has a Michelada at La Gruta
the birthday boy at Nirvana
Nirvana
view from our table at Nirvana
Nirvana
Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
Tres Raíces Winery
Mike at Tres Raíces Winery
me on our rooftop patio in San Miguel de Allende
On Thursday, the 27th, we wandered around San Miguel de Allende, visiting its plethora of churches: Templo de San Francisco, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the Templo de la Immaculada Concepción & Oratorio San Felipe Neri, with a lunch at Los Burritos (a hole in the wall with no expats in it). San Miguel is overrun with retired, white-haired expats, and even though we were certainly as old as most of them, we weren’t that enamored of the sheer numbers of them.
Templo de San Francisco
Templo de San Francisco
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
me with a pretty lady
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
a shop in San Miguel
San Miguel de Allende
me in San Miguel de Allende
Templo de la Immaculada Concepción
Templo de la Immaculada Concepción
me at Los Burritos for lunch
me in San Miguel de Allende
Oratorio San Felipe Neri
park in San Miguel
San Miguel de Allende
me with a Michelada on the rooftop of Baja Fish Taquito
view from rooftop of Baja Fish Taquito
view from rooftop of Baja Fish Taquito
On Friday the 28th, we had another out-of-town excursion, this time to El Charco del Ingenio, a beautiful botanical garden set near a reservoir just out of town. Then we drove over an hour northeast to the “ghost mining town” of Mineral de Pozos. After a pleasant rooftop lunch in the town, we drove about 15 minutes north on dirt roads that felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. We were in route to the Mine of Santa Brigida, the mine responsible for the economic boon in the region as it had gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and mercury. The excursion reminded me of all my explorations of ruins with my friend Mario when I lived in Oman from 2011-2013. We enjoyed dinner at Hank’s, a New Orleans-style restaurant that was all decked out for Mardis Gras.
El Charco del Ingenio
El Charco del Ingenio
El Charco del Ingenio
El Charco del Ingenio
El Charco del Ingenio
El Charco del Ingenio
El Charco del Ingenio
Mike at El Charco del Ingenio
me at El Charco del Ingenio
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
Mineral de Pozos
me at the Mine of Santa Brigida
Mine of Santa Brigida
Mine of Santa Brigida
Arcos Mágicos at the Mine of Santa Brigida
“Hornos Jesuitas” (smelting ovens) at the Mine of Santa Brigida
Mine of Santa Brigida
Mine of Santa Brigida
Mine of Santa Brigida
me in San Miguel de Allende
Oratorio San Felipe Neri
Mike at the entrance to Hank’s
Hank’s – all decked out for Mardi Gras
Hank’s
Hank’s
San Miguel de Allende
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
Overall, we had a busy and fun month as we tried hard to ignore what was happening in the U.S. In March, we continued our time in San Miguel de Allende and then went for three nights to Querétaro, returning home on March 5-6.
While traveling, we read of the complete and utter chaos of the FOTUS/Elon administration: dismantling government agencies, including USAID; threatening our allies with high tariffs or annexation (or war??); treating Ukraine’s President and war hero Zelensky with utter disdain and rudeness; handing the U.S. and its long-term interests over to Putin; and threatening all the alliances we have built up over decades. It made me sick to have to return to the U.S. Upon our return, we hope to set in motion long-term moves out of the U.S. We are utterly and completely disgusted with what is happening in our hijacked country.
I finished two books in February, bringing my total to 7/48. My favorite was Berlin Poplars by Anne B. Ragde. We didn’t watch any movies since we were traveling, but we started watching several series including The Åre Murders, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Thank You, Next. We finished watching Maestro in Blue (we were so sad to end that one!) and we continued watching Pachinko, Lincoln Lawyer, Nobody Wants This, Unforgotten, Virgin River, Paradise and Modern Family.
I hope you’ll share how the year is panning out for you, and what plans you have for the spring and the rest of this year.
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