In this episode of DeMochilas, I explore the markets of Nuevo León, moving through very different environments that, at first glance, might feel unrelated, but are deeply connected by the people who bring them to life.

From Mercado Juárez in downtown Monterrey, to temporary stalls in the Macroplaza, the small market in Santiago, and the open-air gathering spaces of San Pedro Garza García, each market has its own rhythm, layout, and atmosphere. Some are permanent, others appear only at certain times of the year, but all of them share something essential: families, friends, vendors, and locals creating moments of community through daily life.

Walking through these spaces, I notice how markets are more than places to buy things. They’re places where traditions continue, small businesses are born, and people gather simply to walk, talk, eat, and spend time together. Whether it’s candy stalls, bakeries that have survived for generations, handmade crafts, or street food, every stop reveals a different side of the city.

This episode is less about what you buy, and more about what you feel—how markets reflect the character of a place and the people who call it home.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, I step outside the city to explore ecotourism in Nuevo León, visiting some of the most impressive natural areas surrounding Monterrey.

I start with Chipinque, a massive natural reserve where I hike a 10 km circuit alongside my mom and Luis—no special training, just patience, steady pacing, and a lot of elevation. The trail takes us through steep climbs, narrow rocky paths, unexpected workout “stations,” and even a close encounter with local wildlife that reminds you who really owns the mountain.

The journey continues south to Santiago, a Pueblo Mágico that blends small-town life with nature. From the Cola de Caballo Waterfall to its compact historic center, this stop becomes a mix of short hikes, scenic viewpoints, and the kind of food stops you only discover by walking around without rushing.

To close the episode, I visit La Huasteca, a place that feels less like a destination and more like a reminder of scale—towering mountains, broken roads reclaimed by nature, and views that make you pause and look inward.

This chapter isn’t about conquering nature—it’s about moving through it slowly, respecting it, and realizing that incredible landscapes can exist just minutes away from a major city.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, I continue exploring Nuevo León from downtown Monterrey—but this time, I’m not focusing on museums. Instead, I talk about tourist tastes: what different people look for when they travel, and how those preferences quietly decide your route.

For me, traveling is a lot of walking, nature, and observing everyday life. For my mom, churches are a must—especially because she’s an art restorer and she notices details most people walk right past. So this chapter becomes a mix of parks, greenery, historic streets, and a church-hopping route that reveals how varied downtown Monterrey can be in just a few blocks.

We move through key areas like Macroplaza, talk about how the city feels on foot, and how public spaces shift from quiet corners to crowded event zones. I also share small discoveries that made the day memorable: striking architecture, unexpected contrasts between churches, the way Monterrey connects (or doesn’t) without a car, and the kind of family “navigation drama” that only happens when you travel together.

This is a long episode with a lot of walking, observations, and gossip—built around one simple idea: the same city can feel completely different depending on what you’re looking for.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, I start exploring Nuevo León from the heart of Monterrey: downtown, Macroplaza, and the museums that shape how the city tells its story. This was Day 1 of the trip, and because everything is close, it turned into a full day of walking, observing, and learning.

I talk about moving through the area by metro and on foot, the feeling of downtown Monterrey compared to other parts of the city, and how certain places carry layers of time—traditions, architecture, and everyday life all stacked together. Along the way, I visit three key museums: Museo del Palacio, Museo de Historia Mexicana, and Museo del Noreste, each one offering a different way of organizing information and shaping your perspective.

This chapter isn’t just about exhibits—it’s about how we interpret history, how design choices inside museums change what we understand, and how a simple walk can turn into a deeper conversation. We also end with Paseo Santa Lucía, the walkway that connects downtown with Parque Fundidora and adds another layer to how Monterrey is experienced: as a place to move, reflect, and connect.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, we begin the Mexico season in Nuevo León, starting with our journey toward Monterrey. Traveling through my own country changes the way I experience places, and this chapter begins not at the destination, but on the road that leads there.

What was planned as a straightforward drive from Mexico City to Monterrey slowly turned into an unexpected detour that reshaped the beginning of the season. From route planning and transportation decisions to long hours on the highway, this episode reflects how travel stories often begin long before arriving at a city.

This chapter sets the tone for exploring Nuevo León: familiar territory seen with fresh eyes, unexpected challenges, and the reminder that sometimes the journey itself becomes the story. Monterrey was waiting, but the road already had plenty to tell.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, we arrive in Shinagawa, one of the major transportation hubs of Tokyo and a place defined by constant movement. After the calm of Hitachi, Shinagawa felt like a shift in energy — faster, louder, and more demanding.

This chapter is about transition. Trains, platforms, crowds and schedules all converge in a space where people are always going somewhere else. Shinagawa wasn’t about staying, but about learning how to move within Japan’s systems: understanding directions, timing, and the unspoken rules that keep everything flowing.

Being in Shinagawa made it clear that Japan requires awareness and adaptability. It’s a place where you don’t stop to look around — you learn by keeping up. This episode marks the moment when the trip stopped being slow observation and started becoming active navigation.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, we arrive in Hitachi, a coastal city that quietly became our first real window into everyday life in Japan. After the intensity of arrival, Hitachi offered something essential: time to slow down and observe.

This chapter isn’t about famous landmarks or packed itineraries. It’s about trains that arrive on time, neighborhoods that feel lived in, and the subtle differences that start to reveal how Japan functions beyond what most visitors expect. Walking through the city, using local transportation, and simply being present helped the country begin to make sense.

Hitachi — a place to adjust mentally, understand the rhythm of daily life, and prepare for the faster, louder cities that would come later. Sometimes the most important parts of a trip happen where nothing “big” is supposed to happen.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, Japan officially begins. After months of planning and expectations, we land and face the first real moments of adaptation: navigating an unfamiliar system, making quick decisions, and realizing that everything—from movement to communication—works differently here.

This chapter focuses on arrival, not attractions. It’s about the emotional and mental shift that happens when the trip stops being an idea and becomes daily reality. The airport, the first routes, the initial logistics, and the quiet pressure of figuring things out set the tone for everything that follows.

An episode about starting from zero, observing before acting, and understanding that the journey truly begins the moment you step into a place that doesn’t bend to your habits.

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