THREE WALLS AND A LIQUOR LICENSE
La Mision de San Miguel de Patagonia
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The Dingy Bar Room of “The Big Steer” Resonates with the
Phantom Echoes of its 70 Years of History. The acrid smell of cigarettes, and alcohol fit the tale of its violent past as the old-timer recounts the shootings and beatings. The Spirits of the wild, Wild West called this place, “Home”. Before the restoration began in December, 2002, the adobe walls of the old bar were crumbling returning to their original soil beds from where they were molded into neat dirt bricks back in 1915. Only three walls and a liquor license remained after the drastic disemboweling of the old place. They say that the roof did not cave-in out of respect for the ceilings which resembled wounded soldiers full of bullet holes. And so it was that the dream project became a construction nightmare. Owner/designer, Cecilia San Miguel welcomed the challenge during the 14 months of renovation always keeping the vision intact in her heart. “La Mision de San Miguel will glow under the sun and the midnight moon”, she asserted. Out of the corpses of the old saloon, where self-destruction and darkness held sway, the light of Spirit arose as La Mision de San Miguel to celebrate life with beauty, art, and music as inspiration. Upon entering, the numerous religious icons serve to gently nudge us from unconsciousness to the revelation of the living Spirit in all matter. The brilliantly colorful mural of the Ecuadorian Amazon contains the mystical traditions of the Shuara Indian Shamans, depicting the divine union of Creator and Its Creation. This work of art is the creation of Chilean muralist, Lucia Cartes. On the opposite wall, across the dance floor, artist Alix Mosieur, brought to life the powerful image of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse fiercely galloping out of this 60 foot mural as a poignant statement of the separation of humanity from its Creator. The Angel guides the Four Horsemen as a sign of hope. One day soon perhaps, we will return to a place of innocence. At La Mision, we might be inspired to lift our brow from our fragmented perception of who we are in order to dance, have a glass of wine, and celebrate each other in the wholeness of our being wherein every act of living becomes the spiritual practice. La Mision is a synthesis of Archangel Michael’s mission to guide humanity out of darkness and self-destruction by slaying the dragon within. In a humble, yet tangible way, the birthing of La Mision de San Miguel out of decay became the parable for transformation of a building, of a soul, of a community… A personal triumph – A cosmic event! |
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