About

Welcome to Travelojos – A blog about traveling to and living in Mexico and other destinations in Latin America.

My name is Steven Roll and I’m the guy behind Travelojos. When I’m not busy making a living as a legal editor for a Washington, D.C.-area publishing company, I enjoy learning about all things Mexican and Latin American, including fascinating sites, interesting cultural aspects, and great food. The Travelojos blog allows me to share that passion.

Join me as I plan my next trips and lay the groundwork for extended stays and, perhaps, retirement in Latin American countries. Along the way, I hope to engage in worthwhile conversations and exchange insights with a community of like-minded travelers and expats.

My interest in Latin America began a couple of years ago, when I decided to celebrate my 40th birthday with a hiking trip in Oaxaca, Mexico. To prepare for the trip, I consulted numerous guidebooks, Web sites, and travel articles about the region. I also started studying Spanish, taking weekly two-hour classes, and listening to Spanish podcasts on my commute to work.

Alas, I had to cancel that trip because of political unrest and riots in the region. With little time to spare, I booked a flight to Costa Rica. During our 10-day trip, my wife and I stayed in bed-in-breakfasts in San Jose and Manuel Antonio, and a charming motel in Monteverde. Instead of driving to the different regions of the country, we took long rides in small buses and met other travelers along the way.

We did things on the spur of the moment. Our best adventure was a catamaran trip that we booked with a street vendor. Whenever we could, we ate the local fare at restaurants with menus in Spanish.

Since returning from that trip, I’ve continued to study Spanish and have begun planning our next Latin American adventure.

In late June, I disregarded all the Swine Flu hysteria and had a wonderful vacation with my family in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

In the meantime, I’m soaking in as much Latin American culture as I can. Watching Spanish language movies, listening to Spanish music, and reading all the books and blogs I can find about the Latin American region.

You can reach me at travelojos AT gmail.com.