Posts By: Al Barrus

Al Barrus spent many years as an ex-patriot in Saltillo, Mexico. He started his writing career in 2002, at the age of 18, as a uniformed U.S. Army print and photojournalism soldier in Baghdad and Fallujah. After leaving the military in 2007, Al attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where he studied political science and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2011. Later that year he moved to Mexico where he met and married his wife Verenice. Before moving back to the Seattle, Al taught middle-school English literature and wrote about his experiences in Mexico for Mexpro.

How Cinco de Mayo is Celebrated in Mexico

On Cinco de Mayo in 1862, Mexicans defeated invading French forces with an untrained army in the Battle of Puebla, where they were outnumbered by nearly 2-to-1... Read More »
- April 30, 2024
- Categories:
- History, Holidays
April 30, 2024
- Categories:
- History, Holidays
Mexico's Independence Day Celebrations Are In September!

Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain in September. Celebrations include their flag being displayed everywhere and fiestas like the 4th of July on steroids... Read More »
- April 30, 2024
- Categories:
- History, Holidays
April 30, 2024
- Categories:
- History, Holidays
Tips for Driving Safely, Part 3: Navigating City Streets

During the past two years in Mexico, I've learned much about the driving culture. It's much more aggressive than where I'm from in the Pacific Northwest... Read More »
- December 24, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico
December 24, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico
Tips for Driving Safely to your Mexican Holiday Getaway, Part 2: Traversing the Countryside

I've just completed a road trip myself. I drove all the way from Saltillo, Mexico, back home to the Seattle area: 42 hours of drive time down and a whole lot of anxiety behind me. The first day of driving... Read More »
- December 20, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico
December 20, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico
Tips for Driving Safely to your Mexican Holiday Getaway, Part I: Customs

I'm not a professional driver, per se. I did have a special Humvee driver's license when I was in the U.S. Army, and I drove mail trucks for the postal service in Seattle. But I've never been an expert in... Read More »
- December 9, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico, Vehicle Import Permit
December 9, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico, Vehicle Import Permit
An Expat's Thanksgiving, Celebrating South of the Border

The concept of the Thanksgiving Harvest Feast is foreign to most Mexicans, so it's difficult to make a traditional dinner there, but there are lots of stand-ins... Read More »
- December 2, 2013
- Categories:
- Holidays
December 2, 2013
- Categories:
- Holidays
Hey Gringos: Come to Mexico and Live the Revolution

The Mexican Revolution officially started November 20th in 1910, and for good reason. Learn about the revolution and it's characters, like Pancho Villa... Read More »
- November 25, 2013
- Categories:
- History, Holidays
November 25, 2013
- Categories:
- History, Holidays
Mexico – More Expatriate Insights - Book Review

A Fantastic Cross-Section of Expat Communities, Reference for Mexico's Laws When I first started swiping the virtual pages of this e-book, I was very skeptical. I thought "I've been here two years. What could this teach me?" The big fact... Read More »
- November 11, 2013
- Categories:
- Expats, Living in Mexico
November 11, 2013
- Categories:
- Expats, Living in Mexico
Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology, A Must-See in Mexico City

I recommend visiting Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City to gain an idea of how scientists believe humans made their way to the Americas... Read More »
- October 14, 2013
- Categories:
- Activities, Mexico City, Museums
October 14, 2013
- Categories:
- Activities, Mexico City, Museums
October 12th, Dia de la Raza

On October 12, or Dia de la Raza, Mexico celebrates the merging of the Spanish & Mexican pre-Columbian cultures, instead of honoring Christopher Columbus... Read More »
- October 7, 2013
- Categories:
- Holidays
October 7, 2013
- Categories:
- Holidays
Teotihuacan, Mexico's Holy Ground

Teotihuacan, the capitol and center of wealth of the Aztec empire, was constructed around 150 years before the Christian era. It's population once was 150,000... Read More »
- September 30, 2013
- Categories:
- Mexico City, Culture
September 30, 2013
- Categories:
- Mexico City, Culture
Celebrating Mexico's Independence in Mexico City

September is the month of Mexican patriotism and there's no better place to celebrate it than in Mexico City on September 15, but festivities take place all month... Read More »
- September 15, 2013
- Categories:
- History, Holidays, Mexico City
September 15, 2013
- Categories:
- History, Holidays, Mexico City
Mexico Grocery Shopping

Grocery stores in Mexico aren't as cheap as car washes & medical care, but Mexican carnes or meats, and the fresh, organic vegetables are always a good deal... Read More »
- September 4, 2013
- Categories:
- Food, Living in Mexico, Shopping
September 4, 2013
- Categories:
- Food, Living in Mexico, Shopping
Dealing With an Unexpected Auto Failure in Mexico

To my fellow travellers of the great roads: if you're at it long enough it's bound to happen to the best of us. Our beloved carriage of modern machinery, in which we place our confidence to deliver us safely through... Read More »
- August 19, 2013
- Categories:
- Auto Insurance
August 19, 2013
- Categories:
- Auto Insurance
Tips for Moving to and in Mexico

I realize that my move to Mexico wasn't typical compared to other Americans or Canadians who make the choice to go south. I came here with one car-full of necessities and a furnished home waiting for me back in the... Read More »
- July 1, 2013
- Categories:
- Border Crossing, Living in Mexico, Tips
July 1, 2013
- Categories:
- Border Crossing, Living in Mexico, Tips
Parras, Coahuila, The Site of America's First Vineyard

Parras de la Fuente, Grapevines of the Fountain, is a magic town who's natural spring waters are why it's the first winery of the Americas, founded in 1597... Read More »
- June 12, 2013
- Categories:
- Coahuila, Destinations, Wine
June 12, 2013
- Categories:
- Coahuila, Destinations, Wine
Teaching English in Mexico: Great for Experience

I had never been a teacher before I came to Mexico, but it seems to be the go-to gig for gringos and Canadians visiting from north of the border. I've heard of certain parts of Mexico having a large pool... Read More »
- May 7, 2013
- Categories:
- Language, Children
May 7, 2013
- Categories:
- Language, Children
Going to The Dentist's Office in Mexico

Many people are scared to see the dentist. But I wouldn't worry in Mexico. My dentist there took the time to discuss my procedure and I left mostly pain free... Read More »
- April 3, 2013
- Categories:
- Dentistry
April 3, 2013
- Categories:
- Dentistry
Cuatro Ciénegas–A Wetlands in the Desert

When I see tourist brochures in Saltillo they often include photos of people swimming in a crystal-clear lake. I have lived here for about a year and a half, and have never seen any sort of natural swimming holes in... Read More »
- March 25, 2013
- Categories:
- Coahuila, Destinations
March 25, 2013
- Categories:
- Coahuila, Destinations
Mexico Driving - City Driving and Autopistos

When driving in Mexico, street vendors try to peddle wares at stop lights and points of congestion. Get through areas quickly on the autopistos or toll roads... Read More »
- January 30, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico, Safety
January 30, 2013
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico, Safety
Driving in Mexico: More of an Art than a Science

If you're planning a trip south of the border, driving in Mexico is a great way to get a unique experience that you won't find inside of the tourist traps... Read More »
- January 21, 2013
- Categories:
- Border Crossing, Driving to Mexico
January 21, 2013
- Categories:
- Border Crossing, Driving to Mexico
Rosca De Reyes, Three Kings Day in Mexico

Three Kings Day, or as I know it, Rosca de Reyes, takes place each year on the 6th of January. It's to celebrate the arrival of the three wise men... Read More »
- January 14, 2013
- Categories:
- Christmas, Festivals / Events
January 14, 2013
- Categories:
- Christmas, Festivals / Events
Mexican New Year, A time for New Fortune

The most common Mexican New Year celebration is the eating of 12 grapes upon the stroke of midnight; one grape for each month, and one makes a wish upon each one... Read More »
- January 7, 2013
- Categories:
- Festivals / Events, Living in Mexico
January 7, 2013
- Categories:
- Festivals / Events, Living in Mexico
Mexico: El Tannenbaum

If you find yourself south of the border for the holidays, visit the central plaza of your nearest city and feel a bit of the world's happiest Christmas cheer... Read More »
- December 22, 2012
- Categories:
- Festivals / Events, Saltillo
December 22, 2012
- Categories:
- Festivals / Events, Saltillo
Mexico, Not So Third World Anymore

For Americans, Mexico is a close neighbor and is often referred to as "our backyard." The U.S. has had Latin and Mexican influence for centuries and it's been embedded into the American culture, in many ways more so than the... Read More »
- December 17, 2012
- Categories:
- Culture, Saltillo
December 17, 2012
- Categories:
- Culture, Saltillo
The Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's Blessed Virgin

The Christmas Season begins with the Feast of The Virgin Guadalupe on December 12th. It celebrates the Virgin Mary's appearance to an Aztec peasant in 1531... Read More »
- December 3, 2012
- Categories:
- Festivals / Events, Holidays
December 3, 2012
- Categories:
- Festivals / Events, Holidays
Going Out to the Movies in Mexico

I always feel like I'm getting a taste of home when I go out to see the movies in Mexico, but regular seating is just $4 USD... Read More »
- December 2, 2012
- Categories:
- Activities
December 2, 2012
- Categories:
- Activities
Mexico's Black Saturday competes with American post-turkey-day sales

I wouldn't be surprised if in future years we see American shoppers picking up some Spanish and a passport for the savings down Mexico for Black Saturday... Read More »
- November 26, 2012
- Categories:
- Shopping
November 26, 2012
- Categories:
- Shopping
The Church of San Francisco - Not in California

Saintly feasts like this one at the church of San Francisco is one of the many kinds of festivals that are celebrated in Mexican cities... Read More »
- October 15, 2012
- Categories:
- Culture, Saltillo
October 15, 2012
- Categories:
- Culture, Saltillo
There's Always Something to Celebrate in Mexico

There's Always Something to Celebrate in Mexico. September is the best time to celebrate Independence at the hundreds-year-old Cathedral of San Nicolas de Tolentino... Read More »
- September 25, 2012
- Categories:
- Culture, Festivals / Events
September 25, 2012
- Categories:
- Culture, Festivals / Events
Saltillo's Museo de la Catrina

Saltillo's Museo de la Catrina was commissioned to better preserve the old Mexican tradition of paying homage to the dead... Read More »
- September 10, 2012
- Categories:
- Day of the Dead, Museums, Saltillo
September 10, 2012
- Categories:
- Day of the Dead, Museums, Saltillo
Cooler Summer Temps and Skiing in San Antonio de Las Alazanas

At 7,500 feet elevation, the city of San Antonio de Las Alazanas offers pleasant, cool summer temperatures up in the pines. It even has a ski resort that operates year-round... Read More »
- August 17, 2012
- Categories:
- Activities, Destinations
August 17, 2012
- Categories:
- Activities, Destinations
Saltillo's Summer Fair (Feria) It's Not Bad

While there was a plethora of international aspects to Saltillo's annual two-week summer fair and festival, there was plenty of Mexican culture to go around... Read More »
- August 13, 2012
- Categories:
- Coahuila, Festivals / Events, Saltillo
August 13, 2012
- Categories:
- Coahuila, Festivals / Events, Saltillo