Tag archives: Mexico

Mexican Women Chefs Rule at the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
By Leslie Westbrook   |   May 7, 2024

My seatmate on Alaska Airlines from LAX to Puerto Vallarta was Jeremy, a South African who made his fortune developing software for Wall Street and had become a U.S. citizen. He was traveling with 16 of his best friends to celebrate his 60th birthday in Punta Mita, Mexico.  I was heading for a special culinary […]

Mazatlán Part Two: Gems of Mazatlán – What Not to Miss!
By Leslie Westbrook   |   January 2, 2024

With my Mazatlán tour underway, here are some of the highlights and special spots found along the way… 1. Observatorio Mazatlán 1873 – Set high atop a hill and accessed by a steep climb up the 260-foot slope or a ride on the 45-degree funicular, discover the extremely photogenic, historic observatorio. While the building shows […]

Mazatlán, Mexico: Part One Land of the Deer and a Meal of My Dreams
By Leslie Westbrook   |   December 26, 2023

Settled in 1531, historic Mazatlán’s nicknames include “Pacific Pearl” and “Fish Land.” But the beautiful name is actually Nahuatl (an indigenous language still spoken by 1.5 million people today) for “place of the deer.” On our flight’s landing approach to Mazatlán, the plane traveled south of the city before circling back around to land, revealing […]

Mexico’s Hidden Wine Treasures
By Jamie Knee   |   December 26, 2023

As I reflect on my recent journey through the captivating landscapes of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, a vibrant tapestry of wine, food, and travel experiences weaves itself through my memories. This region, rich in natural beauty, unfolds a compelling invitation to explore at every juncture. Its picturesque beaches tell stories of tranquility and wonder, providing serene […]

Mariachi in His Veins
By Steven Libowitz   |   January 17, 2023

Born and raised in Bakersfield, Jimmy Cuéllar has never lived a day of his life in Mexico, but it’s safe to say that mariachi music is in his blood. Both of his parents migrated to the United States with their parents when they were kids, his father brought here in his pre-teens to work the […]

South of the Border, Down Baja Sur Way
By Leslie Westbrook   |   March 29, 2022

La Paz, Baja California Sur, México. Sometimes, just getting to your travel destination and safely back home is good enough. But when you return and can brag about snorkeling with the biggest fish in the world, which have 300 rows of teeth and don’t eat humans, that’s something. Whale sharks (which are neither whales nor […]

Finding Your Path: Book Delves into Issues of Representation
By Nick Masuda   |   November 22, 2021

Nikki Barthelmess knows what it’s like, to look Caucasian on the outside, her appearance failing to showcase her bicultural background. She’s heard the quips about Latinas — those around her not aware that she is Mexican American. She’s seen the ignorance, from the halls of local schools to the business world. “We’ve got a long […]

Christmas Memories
By Lynda Millner   |   January 16, 2020

As the holiday season winds down it reminds me of when we lived in Naples, Italy with our four-year-old daughter Kim and baby son Dane. At Christmas time many families put up a crèche in their homes but these were extra charming. Some would be an entire Italian village with tiny houses, markets, villagers at […]

Letters to the Editor
By Montecito Journal   |   June 13, 2019

A Strange and Risky World We have a president who has led his caretakers in the Republican White House to think it is reasonable to insist on a petty hiding of a destroyer docked in Japan during the president’s recent visit because it has the name of a Republican senator, a former prisoner of war […]