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Reflections and Transformation: A Latina’s Journey Through Latin America

 As my three-year nomadic journey comes to a close in July, I want to write a reflection on the past 15 months—one that weaves together travel, identity, belonging, aging, freedom, and artistic transformation. I wrote a similar story that reflected both my early travel experiences and what it took to get started (see link below). After 14 months of traveling across three continents with a 2-month return to the United States, I decided that for the remaining 19 months on the road, the focus would be mostly on Latin America.
As a Puerto Rican woman traveling through Latin America, you are not quite an outsider and not quite an insider. While we share a language and cultural similarities, each country reveals its own history, politics, traditions, and social realities….

  From Guadalajara’s Grand Plazas to Tlaquepaque’s Artisan Alleys

A four-day road trip to the cities of Guadalajara with day tours to the neighboring city of Tlaquepaque, 20 minutes away.    Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city, the birthplace of mariachi music, tequila and the charreada (Mexican rodeo). Its historic center is impressive with huge interlocking pedestrian plazas that draw crowds all day surrounded by so many majestic colonial buildings with plenty of public art and sculptures. Interestingly, underneath one of its plazas is an underground train system. The contrast between modern living and the city’s colonial heritage is quite remarkable. The city of Tlaquepaque is where you get exposed to the artisan world of the region. One of the best places to shop and enjoy the culture of this area….

Puerto Vallarta: A Tapestry of Color and Culture

During my stay in Bucerias, Mexico, I made a day trip to Puerto Vallarta, a 20-minute ride from Bucerias where I am living.  This colonial city became famous back in the 1960s, thanks to a global tabloid sensation when Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, both married to other people were carrying on a scandalous love affair during the filming of “The Night of the Iguana” (Can’t imagine that being a scandal today!).  Puerto Vallarta features both colonial and modern architecture recognized internationally as a resort beach town. Its boardwalk, known as El Malecon, includes unique surrealist sculptures along with boutiques, galleries, bars, and restaurants. I have visited this town several times over the past 15 years, and it has undergone significant changes each time, increasing its popularity. A fun place to stay or visit throughout the year….

Culture, Coast, and Condo Keys: My Bucerías Story

 Since leaving Costa Rica, I have been residing in the beach town of Bucerias, north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  This quaint and charming beach town on the Pacific Coast was once popular among divers, searching for pearls found in oysters. Hence, its name Bucerias from the Spanish verb” buscar” (to search). The town has this Bohemian vibe, combining the best of Mexican culture with that of tourism, offering an opportunity to have a deeper connection to local life, natural beauty and amazing sunsets!  I liked it so much that I decided to purchase a condo here for getaways during the winter months and as an investment.  Here‘s what convinced me to take this leap….

Whispers of the Past: A Hot-Air Balloon Journey Over Mexico’s Ancient City… Teotihuacan

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It is magical to just walk through the ancient city of Teotihuacan envisioning what this mighty city would have looked like in the 1500s. But nothing is comparable to floating over these pyramids in a hot-air balloon. Inside a basket with 12 other strangers floating in the air watching the sun rise to experience this ancient city. A forever memory etched in your brain. Here’s why you should try it….

Mexico City … A Truly Global Majestic City

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Much like the country, Mexico City is so misunderstood, yet it offers a vibrancy and magnetism similar to many European countries. The city is both captivating and complex with a history that dates back to the ancient city of the Aztecs. Today, Mexico City is America’s oldest city founded by indigenous people. I spent six weeks in Mexico City exploring its beauty and culture while also understanding what makes this awesome city tick. Too much to do and too little time to fully take in all that it offers. Here is what I experienced ….

Puebla…The Baroque Capital of Mexico

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Driving four hours from Oaxaca to Puebla, you can fully appreciate the beauty and enormity of the Sierra Madre Mountain range that surrounds both the city and state of Puebla, (6000 ft. above sea level). There are probably very few cities that can boast about the abundance and the grandeur presence of its 16-18th century Baroque architecture. Puebla is known for its Mole Poblano, a sweet spicy chocolate sauce with a kick and for it spicy-spicy Chiles en Nagodo (neither one, my stomach handled well). But more importantly, this city is also known for the Battle of Puebla, celebrated today as Cinco de Mayo when tequila and mezcal takes over the city (and the US). During my 25 day stay, I got to experience much of the cultural diversity of both the city and state of Puebla….

Rufino Tamayo: Mexico’s Avant-Garde Modern Artist

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I’ve always loved Rufino Tamayo as an artist and a muralist. Little did I know he was also an avid art collector of Mesoamerican Art. During my stay in Oaxaca, I visited the Tamayo Museum of Pre-Columbian Art of Mexico and was blown away by the throve of ancient archeological artifacts collected by Tamayo and gifted to the city he was born in. This avant-garde modern artist has two museums named after him for good reason, leaving behind a legacy unequal to most artists of his era…

Talavera…An Iconic Artistic Tradition in Puebla, Mx

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During my stay in Puebla, I came across a craft that I have seen many times in my travels in Spain and Mexico, but knew very little of its origin and production. The “Talavera”, as it is called, is an artisanal technique of pottery and tile making that uses a type of clay mainly found in Puebla. I visited two certified “Talleres” on how it is manufactured with very little modernization. Its origin (referring to its ornamentation) was first perfected by the Chinese during the 15th century. Yet today it is the Chinese who present a threat to this iconic traditions. Here how.

The Ancestral Splendor of Oaxaca, Mexico

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There are certain times during the year that you may want to visit the city of Oaxaca (although most anytime would be good).  December is clearly one of those seasons. A time of festivities–full of music, colorful traditional dresses, ancestral dancing, and unique cuisine. An urban city designated as a heritage site surrounded by the Sierra mountains at 5,000 feet above sea level.  This city, which includes the state of Oaxaca, is known for its indigenous art and handicrafts. Maker of at least 8 different types of mole’ and the home of Mezcal with way too many varieties of this mystical libation to take home.  It is the homeland of the Mixtecos and Zapotecos, who decedents today represent over 16 ethnic groups. An entirely distinct part of Mexico, perfect for celebrating the holidays and ringing in the new year. Here’s why ….