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My Travel Speaker: The Sony SRS-XB13
When I first started traveling again this time around, I thought that bringing a speaker along would be a waste of space. After all, I had my trusty earbuds and could always play music on my laptop or TV, right? But on a long weekend in Cozumel a friend brought a small bluetooth speaker along,…
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Minneapolis
I have family near Minneapolis that I’ve been visiting once a year. My visits so far have been in June and September, when the weather is pleasant. During this last visit, I stayed a bit longer and rented an AirBnB for part of the time. I wanted to explore the city more and see what…
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Santa Fe CDMX
My first stay in the Santa Fe district of Mexico City came on the recommendation of a friend. It’s a newer, more modern part of the city, characterized by sleek high-rises, lush parks, and a humongous mall. Although I had seen mentions of it online before, I hadn’t given it much thought. When I finally…
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Translate Flashcards: Use Google Translate to Practice
Google Translate has been a lifesaver during my Spanish learning journey. Whenever I encounter unfamiliar phrases, I pull Google Translate up on my phone or MacBook for quick translations. One great feature I’ve been using more lately is the phrasebook that lets you save translations and export them to Excel. One thing I have wished…
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San Miguel de Allende
Since I started traveling extensively in Mexico, I’ve heard a lot about San Miguel de Allende. It’s known for charming streets, a vibrant art scene, delicious food, and great weather. It’s a favorite among expats. Naturally, I wanted to check it out for myself. Impressions – June 2023 First of all, a heads up –…
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Querétaro
I had seen Querétaro mentioned in several expat Facebook groups and, on the spur of the moment, booked an overnight trip to check it out while I was visiting San Miguel de Allende. It’s considerably larger than SMA, but is known for being one of the safest cities in Mexico to live, with a high…
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Guanajuato
Beautiful, vibrant, and intriguing, Guanajuato, to me, feels like a distinctively Mexican interpretation of old Europe. The plazas, narrow cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and callejoneadas (troubadours) evoke memories of time I’ve spent in the Old World. Although it’s probably not a place where I would settle down for weeks at a stretch, it’s an excellent…
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Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo Island is a stunning, biodiverse paradise north of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. It’s renowned for incredible marine life, turquoise waters, and striking geological formations. It’s been on my wishlist for a long time, and it surpassed my expectations. I visited via a snorkeling tour which allowed some good views of…
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Playa Balandra
Just a short drive north of La Paz is Playa Balandra. It’s a stunning horseshoe-shaped bay, with crystal-clear waters and the famous El Hongo (Mushroom) rock. It’s one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen, and an incredible place to explore or simply unwind for a few hours. Planning Your Visit Balandra’s growing popularity…
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Todos Santos
It’s an interesting mix of traditional Mexico, hippies, artists, and monied ‘palaces’. To me, it felt like a town of little oases hidden in the sand. I must admit, Todos Santos was a bit of an adjustment at first coming from San Jose del Cabo. Outside of the main roads leading in and out of…
