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Saltillo's Museum of the Desert in Mexico explores every aspect of desert Life by Travis Whitehead

The Museum of the Desert in Saltillo is always changing, always exploring this unique ecosystem's diversity.

ecology geography museums travelogue Saltillo, Coahuila

Saltillo, Mexico - color, culture and colonial charm by Travis Whitehead

Just five hours by bus from McAllen, Saltillo is a delightful colonial city rich in history, museums and eco-tourism. Young couples relax on iron benches surrounded by manicured gardens. Streams of water rise from a fountain into gentle arcs in the sunlight. read more

crafts hotels museums travelogue Saltillo, Coahuila

Palm Sunday crafts fair in Uruapan by Travis Whitehead

Artisans participating in the competition and crafts fair will come from workshops throughout Michoacán, which has more than 100,000 artisans from more than 200 communities. Elvia Silva Bartolo belie... read more

crafts easter fiestas-traditions Uruapan, Michoacán

Flavors of Mexico's Indigenous Kitchens The Purepecha of Michoacan by Travis Whitehead

The Purepecha Indians throughout Michoacan have developed a tantalizing culinary heritage for centuries that still awakens the senses with its powerful aromas and flavors. In Uruapan, Morelia and other... read more

exploring-tourism food Michoacán

The colorful wood carvings of Cuanajo, Michoacan by Travis Whitehead

An endless number of approaches to familiar motifs show themselves throughout the town. A trogon, its cherry red neck gleaming against a body of emerald green, crawls up the side of a picture frame, f... read more

crafts exploring-tourism Michoacán

Catrina: Skeletons take over the art of Capula, Michoacan by Travis Whitehead

Inspired by the caricatures of lithographer Jose Guadalupe Posada, the elegant Catrina has her origins in Day of the Dead celebrations. Capula's Catrinas arrived only recently. They stand in the doorw... read more

crafts exploring-tourism Michoacán

Cupatitzio Gorge National Park in Uruapan by Travis Whitehead

The paths are riddled with streams of water that exhale their sweet musty breath as they descend toward the river; the forest is bathed in a powerful mist, emboldened by its fragility where the thunder... read more

exploring-tourism Uruapan, Michoacán

Jose Maria Alejos Madrigal: Generations of ceramic creativity in San Jose de Gracia, Michoacan by Travis Whitehead

"I learned from my parents. It's been passed down from generation to generation."

artists crafts Michoacán

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About the author

Travis Whitehead

I have worked as a reporter for the Monitor newspaper in McAllen, Texas, since October 1998. I began traveling in Mexico in Feb. 2001, driving to Saltillo, Coahuila, exactly twice before deciding that buses and taxis were much more reliable (and less exhausting) than driving on my own.

My explorations of Mexico began initially to research a non-fiction narrative I was writing about a bullfighter; my experiences in that beautiful country, however, quickly took on a life of their own.

The culture south of the border has given me a welcome balance to the hectic routines of daily life. My life here on the Mexican border gives me the freedom of escaping quickly into another culture where life moves at a slower, more human pace. Often, when I begin to feel strangled by the boredom of predictability, I am drawn to the liberation of uncertainty south of the Rio Grande River. The unexpected flashes of color and human impulse energize me, and I take inspiration from the unabashed individualism that flourishes there.

I have had a life-long passion for travel, for the experience of exploring another way of life and seeing the world through the eyes of others. At age 19, I took a trip to the Amazon jungle in Peru with the Audubon Society in Portland, Oregon. I had picked up their travel brochure at an Audubon meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the folks in Portland, as far as I know, still don't know how the brochure made it to Corpus.

I'm glad the brochure did make it into my hands; on this initial trip abroad, I was immediately taken by the musical, culinary, artistic and human flavors of Latin America. Later, I had the priceless opportunity to live in the Republic of Panama for three years while serving as a U.S. Army photojournalist. During that time, I learned to scuba dive and explored old Spanish ruins. I made a second trip to Peru and also visited Ecuador.

After leaving the military in 1986, I earned a bachelors degree in English at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. After trying various jobs, I returned to the journalism profession and have worked for the Monitor ever since.

While writing is a full-time passion even in my free time I try to maintain numerous hobbies: painting, music, hiking, camping, cooking and snorkeling.

I've made two trips to Europe, but I find myself drawn to Mexico more than any other country. I have enjoyed my experiences there, the friendships I've made and the insights I have gained, and I have written numerous stories about Mexico for the Monitor newspaper.

My other writing credits include a story in the January 2006 issue of Texas Highways about Benito and Toni Treviño who teach people how to use native plants on their native vegetation and wildlife refuge, Rancho Lomitas. I also won the Associated Press Managing Editors award for Star Investigative Report of the Year Class AAA in 2005 for a series of stories on homeless people.

I look forward to an exciting new period of my life as I reveal my passion for Mexico to a much larger audience through Mexico Connect.

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