On Sundays, the center of Ixtapan turns into one enormous, noisy, colorful outdoor market, and I never miss it. Not because I need anything. I rarely buy a thing. But I’m capable of spending hours shopping without actually shopping. This is no tourist market. Forget souvenir magnets. But if you want the freshest produce, freshly fried chicharrons, baked goods, local … Read More

Most people think of me as a solo traveler. But on this trip to Ixtapan I’ve been in the company of eight friends. Five of us were born in 1951 and are celebrating our 75th birthday this year. Trust me, that number is a shock to all of us. But if you were born in 1951 and keep having birthdays, … Read More

Ixtapan is a quiet town with set rhythms and customs. I love it here, but don’t come expecting anything innovative or exciting. Well, I was wrong. This weekend the town hosted a three-day Balloon Festival. When I first heard about it, I pictured hot-air balloons drifting peacefully over the countryside. The only puzzling part was that the festivities began after … Read More

The spa at Ixtapan de la Sal has become one of my favorite places to disappear for a while. Life here is blissfully uncomplicated. Nowhere I need to be. Nothing pressing to do. Meals appear, my bed is made and room tidied, and nobody cares what I wear. All of this surrounded by lush tropical greenery. The toughest decisions I … Read More