The Demographics of San Miguel de Allende (SMA): It is not a sprawling metropolis, and after a few days of settling in, the navigation and orientation became relatively straightforward. The local populace is reportedly augmented by an estimated 10-15% of expatriates, placing the non-native population in the vicinity of 15,000 souls. One does observe a significant presence of gringos, and it is a known fact that many members of the local pickleball fraternity have established long-term residency in SMA.

As the third week unfolds, I find myself, much like at home, trying to understand,“What day is it?” It’s a normal occurrence for someone my age, but here, the beautiful weather is the real culprit. Since every day seems to follow the same script—cool, crisp mornings followed by bright, warm, postcard-perfect sunshine in the afternoon—time has truly lost all meaning. I suspect I might be living in some kind of highly enjoyable, sun-drenched "Groundhog Day."

As the days melt into each other, I’m clocking in almost a week here in San Miguel de Allende. Life is blissfully, utterly slow, which is pretty much the default setting for my existence these days. I’m finally finding my apartment-legs, locating the coffee stash without a flashlight, and generally feeling comfortable with the surroundings.

 "Saludos desde San Miguel de Allende" – Greetings from San Miguel de Allende. I am currently on the fourth day of a month-long sojourn in Mexico.

Should you have read my previous blog post, you would be aware that I was preparing to depart for this retreat from the cold weather. I left the frigid conditions of Toronto several days ago, following a period of record-setting snowfall, making the timing quite opportune. The journey was extensive, comprising a flight of over five hours, followed by a car transfer of approximately three to four hours to my accommodation. I arrived while it was still daylight, and the driver facilitated a curbside drop-off.

If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that a memorable meal doesn't always require white tablecloths (though sometimes they help). This year, my culinary map of Toronto was all over the place—literally and figuratively. I bounced from the 38th floor of The Well to hidden corners of Kensington Market, and from first-in-Canada burger drops to reliable neighborhood standbys.

And finally, the food. While there were a few fleeting moments of pizza perfection, the real highlight was a pilgrimage to Sunny's in Kensington Market. This place is so hot right now that getting a reservation is like trying to win the lottery. My original dining partner, Ms. Sheila, had other plans, so I enlisted my trusty backup, Ms. Sarah. Finding Sunny's is an adventure in itself; the address leads you down a dark alley, and you feel like you're about to stumble into a secret society meeting before finding the restaurant door.

But my pizza pilgrimage didn't end there. We recently also made our way to Stella's, a charming local spot conveniently located just a short "stumble" from our humble abode. Stella's holds a special place in my heart, particularly on Tuesday evenings, when they offer a delightful buy-one-get-one-free special for dine-in customers.

Okay, maybe that’s a bold claim, but hear me out. We recently discovered a new spot on Bloor Street West, just a few blocks from Spadina, and it might just be a contender.

According to BlogTO, this place is part of a chain from out west, and this is their first Toronto location. The photos from the article looked inviting, the reviews were positive, so we decided to check it out on a chilly Friday night—also known as date night :)

Yes, I can well imagine that probably no one cares about anyone’s recap.  As 2024 came to a close the media, especially old style print would provide all kinds of the “best of” in various categories.  The best movies, TV show, theatre, books etc…etc.  I wouldn’t look at all of them but when I did I usually would realize that I had actually not seen or read many of the best of the best.  The Toronto Star listed the following movies as the best of 2024.