If there’s a single personality trait that marks folks who don’t adapt well to living in central Mexico like the Ajijic Mx area, or San Miguel de Allende Mx, it’s probably the latent (or sometimes overt) need to change and control. It’s an interesting phenomenon. People move to places like Ajijic Mx, and San Miguel de Allende Mx because they are enchanted with the old world charm of the area. By the time they’re moved in, they are trying to implement committees, studies, groups, and programs to change almost everything, and promising that it will all be approved and inspected according to north of the Border standards.
One early warning sign is a constant refrain outlining the problems of the area in sentences beginning with “Why don’t they…?” “Why don’t they clean up the trash?” “Why don’t they mow the roadsides?” “Why don’t they do something about the dogs?” “Why don’t they do something about the noise?” Why don’t they learn English?” Right Mexicans living in Ajijic Mx, in their own country need to learn English!
I sometimes think these folks would be thrilled if the cities and villages were completely torn down and rebuilt to look like those “nearly genuine old-style” resort areas north of the border. Using Disneyland and Dollyworld as guidelines, the Mexican towns like Ajijic Mx, and San Miguel de Allende could become bougainvillea-draped, old mission-style towns. Adobe-like building façades would hide a series of malls, senior centers, and discount chain stores.
Just imagine—it would all look like romantic old Mexico on the outside, but behind the façade could be bland, vanilla, white bread gringolandia, complete with granite countertops, sound-insulated Navajo white walls, garbage disposals, central heat and air conditioning and trash compactors.
If the litany of foreigner discontent was distilled into a list of the Top Ten Newcomer Complaints, the top choice complaint for changing Mexico to suit visitors and newcomers would certainly be a tie between:
“Why don’t they outlaw those booming sky rockets?” and “Why don’t they pave these cobblestone streets, that are so much a part of the history of San Miguel de Allende, and Ajijic Mx?”
Local coffee shops were buzzing last year after the Associated Press released an article which related the results of a study suggesting that walking on cobblestones lowers blood pressure.
The study, inspired by the health enjoyed by elderly persons who walked every day on China’s ancient stone paths, monitored subjects (all over 60) as they walked 30 minutes a day on rounded river rocks. In just four months, they showed measurable improvements in balance and mobility, and significantly lower blood pressure. While the study was interesting, I was far more fascinated that the folks on the forums thought this new-to-them health benefit was the only positive aspect of cobblestone streets.
Here’s our top ten list of the positive aspects of our local cobblestone streets:
10. There is an unending supply of cobblestones—this area was formed by ancient volcanoes and the earth is full of perfect cobblestones.
9. Cobblestone paving is inexpensive. No specialized equipment is required for installation—a man and a small hammer and a couple of stakes with a string will do.
8. When a street needs repair, the stones are removed, stacked on the sidewalk, then the same stones are replaced in the street.
7. Cobblestones slow rushing water during heavy rains. Water soaks in between the rocks.
6. No petroleum products are used in the process of putting down the stones. The earth is not tainted by the disposal of dumping used asphalt from blacktopped streets.
5. Cobblestones slow traffic, reducing the number and severity of accidents.
4. Stone covered streets don’t break up as badly or develop as many potholes from heavy rain as does asphalt.
3. Cobblestones are not slick when wet.
2. Cobblestone streets keep property taxes low.
And the tie for the number one best reason to leave cobblestone streets in place in Ajijic Mx, and San Miguel de Allende Mx:
1. They work.
1. It’s not about us. 
