Sonora is your typical Mexican city in that it’s full of colorful characters and people who are themselves filled to the brim with pride and serene landscape all around. The state itself is situated in the northwest, and thus, the Western influence from the United States has definitely rubbed off on it a bit. In the city itself, there is a glad awakening of industry, with more and more businesses and large multinational corporation taking advantage of the location and local skills. However, the real magic and mystery of the city is the subtropical landscape and terrain that circles it. Like a classic Western cowboy film, the countryside is full of dirt roads, flatlands covered in colossal rocks and boulders. Just like the people, however, the nature of Sonora is stoic and hardy. Green shrubbery and plants grow and quite happily survive. The sun has free reign over the state itself as blue skies don’t dare to be interrupted by clouds. For those who want to lace up their boots and put on a cotton wanderer hat, get ready for these exploration sites.

Image by Cataclasite

The Alamos guards

Founded in the latter part of the 17th century, the town of Alamos was at first a mining town. It lies at one of the furthest southerly points of the state and has seen itself become a hotspot for tourism. The small town of just around 25,000 people is lauded for its magical natural beauty and historical relevance. The cultural riches are plentiful and scattered all around the town to see. All kinds of statues are erected in the central part of the town. However, for the real Alamos, you must be willing to go into the countryside. The Sierra Madre Occidental is a massive mountain range that sprouts from north to south all along the northwestern edge of Mexico. A part of it runs along the side of Alamos and shelters the town from the harsh winds and rains coming in from the North Pacific Ocean.

Source Joshua Rappeneker

A harmonious hovel

In between your rather rigorous bootstrapping adventures and challenges, you need a place to recharge. The Courtyard Hermosillo is the ideal spot as it’s got all the modern luxuries you need when pushing yourself to the limit of your travels. It doesn’t matter whether you get a single, a double or king size, inside each room you’ll have access to high-speed Wi-Fi. Watch a late night movie on the superb flat-screen televisions. If you just want to release all that built-up lactic acid from your physical activities, go for a swim in the pool. If you just want to do nothing, by all means, grab a chair and lie back while enjoying the sunrays. The service is more than happy to adhere to any midnight meal room service if you’re feeling a little peckish. The hotel itself is designed for the tastes of Western tourists, and so you’ll find it has modern and contemporary styling.

If Sonora wasn’t on your bucket list, the Alamos mountains will question you as to why. The people of the state are full of life and a can-do attitude. It’s little wonder that the state is fast becoming the one to watch in Mexico’s modern arrival.

Summer is fast approaching, and that means it’s time for flip flops. But are you ready to bare your feet after a long winter of boots and socks? Here are five steps to prepare your walkers for the sunshine.

1. Exfoliate Everything

Flip flops showcase your entire foot at one point or another. The tops are always visible; the bottoms become so once you sit down and cross your legs or jiggle your ankles. Leave none of your skin crusty and dry. Slough off all the dead cells.

2. Moisturize The Good

Once you’ve revealed a fresh new layer of skin, it’s important to keep it in good shape by applying creams, lotions and moisturizers to maintain its hydration. Do this at least twice a day, ideally in the morning and again at night.

[Image courtesy of Keerati/freedigitalphotos.net]

3. Buffer The Bad

For all their convenience, flip flops aren’t kind to your feet, not when your heels are constantly grinding into a cheap material with no give and no protective padding. Make it a habit to buffer the bottoms of your feet during summertime. Remove build-up before it begins.

4. Paint Your Nails

Flip flops and pedicures go hand-in-hand, or perhaps toe-in-toe, so your first order of business after buying a pair should be getting your toenails done. You might also want to treat your cuticles after they’ve been neglected for the winter.

5. Enjoy The Sun

Congratulations! Your feet are now presentable to other humans. Click here to find a great pair of flip flops to wear all summer long!