The man

Rafael Zarate

Rafael was born in Queretaro, Mexico in 1992. He attended two years of high school in Santa Barbara, California where he learned English,and afterwards went back to Queretaro to finish high school at an American school called the JFK.

After studying two years of college, both at a fine arts school in Mexico and taking summer courses at Berklee College of Music, he dropped out and immediately started working at elementary schools teaching music. He has not stopped teaching since then.

Three years after he started teaching, he decided to learn how to ride a motorcycle and go on a journey by himself. With no set route or destination in mind, he spent six months on the road. He traveled from Mexico City all the way to Nashville TN with only one rule: No hotels or Airbnbs allowed. He only allowed himself to Couchsurf, with people who open their doors for him, or camp out.

After this trip he decided to write a book about it. Unbroken Road, coming soon.

Musician

Although Rafael has always kept himself busy with teaching, as well as writing during the last couple of years, he has always found time to play music. Whether it's by himself or as part of a band, since he was in high school, Rafael has both performed and recorded music. Today, you can find him performing, from time to time, at various locations around Tennessee.

Artist

Regardless of being a "millennial," Rafael has never been much of a photographer while travelling. Mostly because he feels like he is not really appreciating whats in front of him if he has a camera or a phone on the way.

This is why he did not take any pictures of his motorcycle trip from Mexico to Nashville. And although he has never considered himself to be a visual artist, he has made an ink drawing for every chapter of his book. Starting with his motorcycle, Arturita.

Photographer

As a hobby, Rafael also does photography from time to time. Mostly artsy and casual things with his friends, with no plan in mind before the photo-shoot, but rather experimenting on the spot.

Most of his work can be found on Instagram @RafaelZaratePhotography.