Travel. Write. Live. » travel Mexico

I Ruin Music for All in Mexico City (video)

Devin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:46:43 +0000

Travel writing is a great opportunity to take chances. Thankfully, I was wearing stripes. They are supposed to make me look less portly. The sunglasses acting as hairnet did nothing to distract from my tattered hairline. I stood next to the restaurant’s guitar player requesting a song. In a moment, I found myself reducing one of my all-time favorite songs to rubble, in public, in Mexico City during FITA 2010. Fortunately, the cameo appearance by the smooth Latin troubadour saves the day. Next time I will learn the words.

CLICK HERE for me doing my best to destroy Cuando Calienta el Sol

In order to wash the image of me (even when wearing stripes) butchering a classic song from your mind, I offer this video by the incomparable Luis Miguel combining Cuando Calienta el Sol and a Buns of Steel video that puts most 80s hair band videos to shame. The first 30 seconds are slow and almost painful, but then the pillow fighting, thong-clad lovelies, shirtless hunks in teeny panties and sun kissed beaches take over.

For the record, I have also sung a karaoke version Luis Miguel’s Cuando Calienta el Sol in a charming bar in Puerto Morelos a few years back. I am grateful there is no video evidence of this humiliation.

Video by Teresa Rodriguez of Jetset Extra
Photo by Berenice L. Gonzalez

The Sunday Check In — Off to Mexico

Devin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:21:36 +0000

From My Last trip to Mexico, Mazatlan 2008

It has been two years since I last visited Mexico. In that time, Mexico has gone from being one of the most popular spots for vacations in the world to a destination that receives a lot of bad press. Sadly, dangerous cartels and a few bouts of weather has turned Mexico into a place that raises the eyebrow when mentioned as still one of the best vacation spots in the world. For the same reasons I do not fear gang violence while living in Los Angeles, I plan on visiting an incredible historic city. Mexico is still a great — at least I will find out as I travel to Mexico this week.

Travel

I am heading to Mexico City early on Wednesday morning for four days of international tourism promotion. While I have attended many tourism fair events, I am always excited to go for the best new information in travel and some of the best networking possible under one roof.

Writing

Since most of my week will be spent out of the country, I have a few days of intense updates, so I do not have to worry too much about working while on the road.

Video

Another great opportunity is video. Beyond the interviews I will be conducting on both Spanish and English, there are likely going to be some excellent cultural performances happening during the show.

Pic of the Week: Isla Mujeres

Devin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:39:34 +0000

My visit to Isla Mujeres included a catamaran ride from Cancun, swimming with the dolphins, golf carts through town, grave yard exploring, crowded tourist areas, several great resorts and azure water on popular beaches.

I could have used dozens of photos to showcase the island, but these are the ones that hit home.

This week’s winner connected to me after reading Michael Lynch’s Camera Talk on Leading Lines. I like the perspective on this pier on Isla Mujeres, but I wonder whether using a circular polarizing filter would have made the blue sky pop more. Even without the camera enhancement, this is my favorite shot.

My first honorable mention features another sweet old lady relaxing on a calm morning (a shot I have found often over the years) and more gorgeous water as seen from a popular resort in the area.

In Photos: Pueblos Magicos

Devin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:19:50 +0000

It was a lot of long van rides through the desert and its summer heat in the quest of finding the Pueblos Magicos, Magic Towns, of Mexico. The Pueblos Magicos are 35 towns in Mexico that are promoted by the tourism board as having history, culture and beauty making them ideal stops for travelers looking to get a sense of Mexico. Sadly, the journalists along for the ride complained about everything: the food, the accommodations, the van, the heat, the organization of the press trip and anything that wasn’t perfect. In all my time as a travel writer it was the worst group of writers ever. However, there were a few really nice towns to visit. Parras, Santiago, Saltillo and Monterey (Saltillo and Monterey are not classified as Pueblos Magicos, but are still nice places to visit) were among them. Here are a handful of my favorite photos from that trip.

For more on the Pueblos Magicos. It is an older article, but still good for the basics.