isobelmtl

Writing under a Montreal sky

Recent Blog Posts

about

Isobel Cunningham has published short fiction and poetry. Her book, Northern Compass is available on Amazon. She was born in Wales but Montreal is her adopted home. She speaks French, Modern Greek ( it’s a fun story) and a little Spanish…oh, English too, of course. She welcomes comments on her blog and looks forward to chatting with you over cyber-space.

Category: Uncategorized

  • Jasmine Stars

        This jasmine vine blooms over a bridge.  The bridge spans a dried up ravine full of stones, weeds and rubbish.  Does it ever fill with water, I wonder?  In my home I have a pot with exactly the same plant.  Rarely, it puts out a tiny white flower.  On those days as soon…

  • The bride wore running shoes

      if she had any sense.  I have seen some intrepid Mexican ladies teetering around this town in high- heeled boots, sandals and pumps but the chic look of the footwear is more than offset by the element of risk.  Any walking surface in San Miguel that is not covered in large and unwieldy cobblestones…

  • What is the difference?

        This is my third visit to San Miguel in Mexico.  Now I know where to get what I need.  I know how to walk to my friend’s house without getting hopelessly lost in narrow streets.  I know how to sit in the main square, to buy stamps, which is the best bakery.  I…

  • Vibrant…proof that nature always gets it right

      Pretty daring colour scheme but somehow flowers always look right together.

  • Security, Mexican style

      Attitde is a strange thing.  It can change my hopes, fears, anxieties.  The first time I came to San Miguel ( this is my third time) I was terrified to walk around the streets at night.  Even jumping into a cab was a scary thing.  I fumbled with my keys and it seemed to…

  • No good deed goes unpunished

        It is a little dull before the conference starts so I went on line and discovered that volunteers were required for a mysterious project making mattresses for poor kids who live in outlying villages of San Miguel.  The church ( trust the Anglicans!) was close by and it seemed a good omen that…

  • The Tuesday market in San Miguel

    Originally posted on isobelmtl:  U It is astounding.  I went once last year but I had forgotten the sheer size, noise and variety that confronts one at this huge weekly market. It takes place well outside the city.  Finding the right bus was a bit of a,challenge as I had to look up a few…

  • Where cauliflower doesn’t cost $7.00

      Today my friend drove me and another Gringa to the “Tuesday Market”just up the hill from San Miguel.  When I say hill I mean requiring crampons, so the lift was appreciated.  It is truly amazing to me that on Tuesday hundreds of people set up stalls with every imaginable item for sale under plastic…

  • Climate, an element of freedom

        You’ll have to take my word for it.  A hummingbird visited this feeder several times yesterday.  I was never quick enough to catch it in a photo.  I sit up on the roof garden of my little apartment and hear birds, music, the recorded messages of gas or water trucks passing by, the…

  • More Graffiti Mexico 2016

      Oh, just to let you know, it wasn’t the Mexican army waking me up at 5 am but a group of pilgrims from the local high school setting off for Leon, an hour and a half drive from here.  I guess they were getting the jump on Lent.  Last year we saw loads of…