Saltillo, the land of history, sarapes, and Dreams

There’s a city in northern Mexico where the desert meets tradition, where colorful sarapes wave like flags of pride, and where part of my own journey took root. That city is Saltillo, Coahuila.

Much more than a capital, Saltillo is a place where history, innovation, and resilience blend into daily life—qualities that echo through the pages of my book, The Road of a Dreamer.

A City Woven Like a Sarape

Saltillo is the birthplace of the iconic sarape, a symbol of Mexican craftsmanship and identity. Just like each sarape is made with care, color, and intention, The Road of a Dreamer was woven from memories, lessons, and chapters that took shape in this very city.

From my years at UANE and Col-Mex, to the countless friendships and early romances formed in its streets, Saltillo helped shape the dreamer I became.

Museo del Desierto: Learning from the Landscape

One of Saltillo’s most fascinating places is the Museo del Desierto—a museum that reminds visitors of how life survives and thrives in even the harshest of places.

In many ways, that’s the message of my book. Dreams aren’t born in ideal conditions—they’re born in dry lands, long nights, and uncertain beginnings. Saltillo taught me that.

Rosita Alvírez and the Power of Storytelling

Did you know that Saltillo is the setting for one of Mexico’s most famous corridos? El Corrido de Rosita Alvírez tells a tragic tale of defiance, honor, and the consequences of choice.

Songs like that remind me why I wrote my story—not all dreams have happy beginnings, but all deserve to be told. Through storytelling—whether in music or memoir—we preserve culture and inspire change.

The “Detroit of Mexico” and the Dream of Industry

Saltillo is also known as the Detroit of Mexico, home to massive automotive plants and a hub of engineering talent. For an industrial engineer like me, it was more than symbolic. It was a reminder that hard work, precision, and innovation could change lives—mine included.

Chasing Dreams Across Borders

In The Road of a Dreamer, I write about the tension between leaving and returning—between what we build abroad and what we carry from home.

Saltillo was where many of my firsts happened: love, rebellion, independence. Years later, it’s also where I returned as a professional, as a husband, as a father—reclaiming part of my story, stronger than before.

Closing Thoughts

Saltillo is more than a backdrop—it’s a character in my journey. Its music, culture, and challenges reflect the heart of every dreamer who’s ever dared to believe that something more was waiting beyond the mountains.

And so, when people ask me where The Road of a Dreamer really began, I don’t hesitate to say:

“Saltillo. There, everything started to feel real.”