In this episode of DeMochilas, I reflect on the last moments of the trip and the unexpected conversations that often become the most memorable part of traveling.

While in Monterrey, I originally wanted to conduct a few interviews, but approaching strangers can be difficult for me. However, an unexpected conversation with an Uber driver named Ozi turned into a spontaneous interview about music, tattoos, traveling, and even the curious cultural tensions that sometimes exist between different cities within the same country.

The episode also covers the journey back home: taking a night bus to San Luis Potosí, waiting at the bus terminal, meeting people along the way, and the final challenge of recovering my mom’s truck before returning to Mexico City.

To close the Monterrey chapter, I share my overall impressions of the city: a place full of contrasts between industrial history, mountains, caves, parks, and urban development. From places like Fundidora Park to the food, markets, and people we met along the way, Monterrey proved to be a destination with many layers and much more left to explore.

Because in the end, travel is not only about the places we visit, but also about the conversations and stories we encounter along the road.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, I talk about gastronomy in Nuevo León, focusing on the food experiences we had in Monterrey and its surroundings.

I’ll start with a confession: I’m Mexican… and I don’t eat chili or spicy sauces. Because of that, this episode became a very honest look at what it’s like to try everything anyway, even when it pushes you outside your comfort zone.

Throughout the trip, we visited traditional restaurants, cantinas with decades of history, casual diners, and street food spots. None of these are paid promotions, every place was recommended by friends or family, or we simply walked in and decided to eat there.

From classic breakfast spots and 24-hour restaurants, to century-old cantinas with strong traditions, unexpected restaurant experiences in Santiago, iconic Monterrey institutions like cabrito, and street snacks like tostilocos, this episode is about food as culture, memory, and social space.

These are personal experiences, not reviews. Taste changes, contexts matter, and revisiting a dish or a place can completely change your opinion. The goal is not to judge, but to invite curiosity: to try new things, even if you’re not sure you’ll love them.

Food is one of the most direct ways to understand a place, and Nuevo León definitely left an impression.

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In this episode of DeMochilas, I explore San Pedro Garza García, one of the most well-known and economically influential areas in Nuevo León. Often labeled as exclusive or luxury-focused, San Pedro reveals much more once you slow down and walk through it.

Staying in this area allowed me to experience its balance between urban development and nature. From wide avenues like Calzada San Pedro and Calzada del Valle, to parks filled with greenery, informational signs about local flora and fauna, and people exercising, walking dogs, or simply enjoying the outdoors, the city shows a quieter, more grounded side.

I also visit Parque Rufino Tamayo, where unexpected activities like disc golf coexist with daily routines, and Museo La Milarca, a private collection that left all of us impressed, especially considering it was once someone’s personal collection. The episode also touches on nightlife, shopping spaces like Fashion Drive, and how San Pedro offers very different experiences depending on how and where you choose to spend your time.

This chapter is about contrasts: wealth and simplicity, routine and discovery, museums and parks. A reminder that places often have more layers than their reputation suggests.

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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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