Casa Porvenir House Notes - 2022 Not update yet for 2024

Casa Porvenir Welcome to Casa PorVenir ENTRY/EXIT A digital lock has been installed on the back patio door. The address for the back door, which you will use to enter the house your first visit is on Callejon del Quijote. Your digital lock will be opened by using the code released to you seven days prior to arrival. The back hall door from the patio to the house will be unlocked and two sets of keys will be on the triangular table next to the couch. All keys are important and after entering the house the first time, you should ALWAYS carry the keys. The keys have all been checked and they do work. Sometimes it is harder than others to get them to turn. Please use the “jiggle” method. The common, front gate’ should be locked at all times, and it is sometimes easier to stick your arm through the bars and open it from the inside. On your final departure, please leave the keys on the living room chest and exit through the back hall door making sure to pull the hall door tight enough to hear it latch and lock. Then, you will exit the back patio door. Phone/Wi-Fi Casa Porvenir – 415 185-8943 Antonio Canales - 415 153-5489 (part-time house manager) The house phone can be used for local, international, and long distance calls in Mexico. Extensive dialing instructions can be found at the front of the JUARDE Phone Book which is in the hidden drawer in the triangular table next to couch. A small stereo is located below. The wi-fi is located in the upstairs master bedroom as we find it works best throughout the house that way. We have used it successfully to watch Netflix and to FaceTime on our computers from all areas of the house. The password to the infinitum router can be found posted on the router. Do not turn the light switch by the bedroom door off as it controls the router plug. Since I worked from home last year, an extender in the office/studio which uses the same user id+”.ext” and same password as the router upstairs is in the shelving of the studio. OTHER HOUSE THINGS: The house was completely renovated in 2014 and again 2021 everything should be in working order. LIGHTS: There are tons of light switches in the house, patios, and the common courtyard and some are in funky places. Most you will figure out easily; however, the switch for the outdoor light at the back door (inside and outside) are in the down stair’s master bedroom on the wall closest the back entrance. The fountain, another patio lamp and the stair lights are in the back entry hall. One of the lights to the roof terrace is at the very top of the stairs on the inside. And one is protected in a plastic case on the upstairs terrace itself. Front patio, studio, and common courtyard lights are on switches in the dining room and also near the small table near the half bath. There are also switches downstairs in the common courtyard near the entry gates that light up the common entry. Please turn out the lights when not needed and/or when rooms are not in use. Please turn the fountain off at night when sleeping. Water must cover the pump if running the fountain and this should be checked in the morning when the fountain is turned on. GAS: (monthly guests) The hot water heater is new and it will have been turned on for you. It is located in the back patio in the corner. The gas TANK located on the common entry archway roof, has been filled and should last your entire visit easily. We provide enough gas for most people; however, if you stay a month or longer and run out gas, you are responsible for paying for more gas. Carolina and/or Efren will handle ordering it and greet the suppliers. There is a gauge behind the ladder on the outdoor sala which shows how much gas is available. Note: The new tankless water heater takes some time to get to the downstairs ensuite bathroom. DRINKING WATER: A water purifier is attached to the COLD water line in the kitchen sink. Carolina should fill the refrigerator reservoir and the bathroom carafes with the purified water for your convenience. If you feel the need for other water, Carolina can order for you, if you give her pesos. We do have a stand with spigot for the large garafones in the pantry. OTHER: For safety, we always close the upstairs door to terrace and put the lock on it at night. We tend to close (but not lock) the patio doors into the house only when we all leave. The umbrella should be lowered when you are not on the roof. It has been known to take flight when open, if windy. The upstairs door should be pulled until you hear the latch and the lock used. This door will leak especially in heavy rain so usually I will put a towel down across the threshold. I am just telling you this so that you aren’t surprised. The key to the lock for that door should be left on the railing if not on the keychain. The washer and dryer are self-explanatory. Guests/tenants are to buy their own soap to wash personal items or if Carolina is washing your personal items. Carolina has been provided enough supplies to wash household linens weekly. It would be best if you let Carolina handle washing and drying your clothes. She also will iron if you tell her what to iron. The iron and board is in the kitchen and should be available for your use. Drivers and Services Antonio Canales - 415 153-5489; Email - Aventurasma94@gmail.com – Antonio and his family are from San Miguel. They are well known, educated, well-travelled people and are fluent in English. Antonio has his own business but offers me part time house management and other services. He is your contact for the house for any emergencies Carolina and Efren can’t handle (we pay for such). However, he is the only contact we recommend for other concierge type services, driving, and for local, national, and international travel. He knows the art, history, artist all over Mexico. If he doesn’t do something, he also knows who to use for hikes, horse back-riding, mountain biking, outdoor sports, sights, and events. He is the only person we recommend without reservation. You make arrangements and pay him directly for such. Please let him know that you are staying at Lolita and Therese’s House. BajioGo - http://bajiogo.com/ - shuttle service that some have used with success. FAVORITE THINGS TO DO: Cooking classes Sazon - http://www.belmond.com/casa-de-sierra-nevada-san-miguel-de-allende/sazon La Cocina - http://mexicocooks.com/cooking-classes.htm Marilau Ancestral Cooking Schools: http://mexican-cooking-school.com/ Language Classes: AHA Spanish – www.ahaspeakspanish.com/ Warren Hardy – http://warrenhardy.com/ Josefina’s School - http://www.josefinaschool.com/ Art/Design: Fabrica L’Aurora - http://fabricalaaurora.com/ Other: Be sure to check “The Atencion” each Friday for Art Openings/Walks around town. Juarez Park – Saturday Art Walk and many special events are in the park on weekends especially. Swimming: (May have changed) We like to make arrangements with the Rosewood. They offer several monthly packages and day passes to swim and for the spa. We found the daily arrangements, about $35.00 per person, perfect. The full $35.00 is redeemable for food and drinks at the pool bar. My nephews loved the pools and the “rich man’s food” and my sister-in-law and I loved the cabana and used the boys receipts to drink Pina Colodas and eat too. Hotel Real Mina – very nice pool for small daily fee. Poolside service. Hotel Matilda – One block toward the Jardin on Aldama. They are more willing to negotiate than the Rosewood and offered us, a family of four, a monthly pool pass for $200.00. The pool is smaller and was a little too contemporary/modern for my teenage Californian nephews. Hot Springs: La Gruta Escondida Xote Mayan Baths Taboada Golf Clubs: http://www.malanquin.com.mx/ http://ventanasdesanmiguel.net/ PYRAMIDS: http://www.canadadelavirgen.com/ La Canada de Virgen Pyramid – guides must have permission and be certified. Antonio is one of them. Xotolar Ranch – horse back riding through canyons and beautiful ranch land and rivers; organic farmland and returning for fresh, organically made cheese enchiladas and native salads and dips. Arrange through Antonio if you want English Speaking Guide Delores Hidalgo – Day Trip for history of Mexican Independence and Talavera Antontonilco – Day Trip for history of Mexican Independence. Make sure to make an appointment to go to the fabulous folk art gallery there. Bridge – Duplicate almost every day – San Miguel Bridge; Social Bridge every Wednesday and Friday at noon at Vivali Restaurant The Organic Market at – Every Saturday at the Sano Riding ATVs – Coyote Canyon Tours Mountain Biking - Talk to Antonio – I think he will recommend http://www.bici-burro.com/ Hiking - Antonio Canales … Tour guides in Mexico are regulated and should have a “certification” or some sort of approval. We know of a group that got lost and left in the hills over night by a “tour” guide. Botanical Garden – beautiful gorges, and native plants, nice daily hiking path and many nice native events and ceremonies - http://www.elcharco.org.mx/ Spanish/English Newspaper – “Atencion” comes out every Friday morning. Must read for events festivals, art openings, and weekly events - http://www.atencionsanmiguel.org/ Zandunga – Open air amphitheater for jazz, light rock, and music, eating, dancing included. RESTAURANTS: MuRo- In Obraje. Grandson of the Bugambilia Chilies in Nogado fame. Tulane Law School Graduate. Breakfast and lunch totally delicious. . Firenzi – Moving from San Antonio location. Exceptional Italian food. Tacos Don Felix – Located in Independencia. Worth the taxi ride. Family run, mainly grilled meats and seafood. Excellent margaritas. Quite special. Thursday – Sunday evenings. The Rosewood - The Best of everything. Happy Hour & Brunch - Hank’s Restaurant (Old – Harry’s New Orleans) Breakfast – Tres Fuentes on the Parque; the Santa Monica Hotel (Eggs Diablo) La Poroquia (breakfast) La Brasserie (dinner) Same restaurant different names from morning to night. Cumpanio – Favorite bakery and breakfast spot near jardine Pegaso- Across from Cumpanio – All kinds of food. La Posidito – Mexican Cuisine and an incredible view Monthly or weekly events we like: Instituto Fair La Pulga Tuesday Market FIRST TIME VISITORS: The Home Tour on Sundays at noon – leaves from library Factory or Artisinian Tours – On Saturday THEATER: Angela Peralto Many new pop up theatres are present now. Carolina’s Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 10:00 until 1:00 Trash: Will be handled by Carolina and Efren. It is picked up Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the back street. They will usually take it with them; but if you put it out, please tie off the plastic bags and hang in the tree so that the animals don’t get to it. No trash should be left on the ground. .