The contrast of modern megacities with the world of ancient Indians, and the mixing of several cultures is Mexico. You can talk a lot about her, and a year is not enough to get to know her. Or maybe it’s better to stay in Mexico, as Tatiana did, having once moved from Moscow to this sunny country. Be inspired by the interesting story of Tatiana’s move to the Mexican United States, her life experience and tips about holidays in this country.
– Tell us about yourself.
– I am Tanya, born and raised in Moscow. By education, a journalist and photographer, graduated from the journalism faculty of Moscow State University with a degree in photojournalism. And I’ve been living in Mexico for 10 years now. Here I have my own photography business, two children with dual citizenship and a Mexican husband.
– Your story of moving to Mexico.
— I always wanted to be a photographer, and when I entered the journalism faculty at Moscow State University, long journeys and unusual, exotic countries began to attract me — after all, I saw photographs from all over the world in the portfolio of my teachers and colleagues. At one of the photography workshops in Europe, I met the Mexican photographer Raul. This acquaintance led me to Mexico. Who would have thought that in 10 years I would be living in Mexico, we would be married, with two children and a family business – a photo studio!
— How do I get Mexican citizenship?
— The easiest way to obtain residence and then citizenship in Mexico is to marry a Mexican or have a child in the country. You can also live in the country for at least 5 years with official registration at work and then apply for citizenship. Or you can make an investment in the country’s economy and obtain citizenship in Mexico.
— What is the difference between life in Mexico and in Russia?
— It just can’t be compared! Life in Mexico is very different! For example, here we live in spacious houses, not in apartments. Children’s education and medicine are paid. Public transport is not developed, everything is by car. Education and, accordingly, a good job are not available to everyone, hence the sharp difference in social classes. It is also customary to have a housekeeper and a nanny, it is not expensive here, since these are people from a different socio-economic stratum.
— What to see in Mexico for a tourist?
– We need to see everything! It will take you at least a year to see all the sights of Mexico.
Mexico. What to see for a tourist:
- Chichen Itza, Cenotes, Isla Mujeres — The Caribbean coast in the south.
- There are an incredible number of museums in the capital: be sure to visit the Bayas Artes, the Frida Kahlo Museum.
- Not far from the capital are the pyramids of Azteca — Tetihuacan. Above them you can fly in a hot air balloon at dawn.
- You should definitely go to the Popocatepetl Volcano. Many legends and tales from the history of Mexico are associated with this mountain.
- Features of Mexico, 111 – magical villages. These are colorful small towns with colonial architecture, many of them are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And how many delicious local food you can taste there!
- Follow the center of the country and north to the Pacific coast, for example, to Puerto Vayarta. A quiet town on the coast lives a measured life. Many pensioners from the USA and Canada live there.
- In La Paz, in the state of Baja California, you can swim with whales!
And this is just a small list of several attractions in Mexico.
— When is it better to go to Mexico for a vacation?
– In winter it is better to go to the coast, and in summer to the center of the country and cities. Why? Summer in Mexico is the rainy season, hurricanes and constant torrential rains can occur on the ocean. And in winter it’s too cold in the cities, you will be most comfortable by the sea!
— Do Russians need a visa to Mexico?
– Visa is not needed. Currently, a free electronic permit is used, it can be issued online for free on the embassy’s website. They say it will be canceled soon.
– Prices in Mexico 2018.
– Traveling in Mexico is not very expensive, but also not as cheap as many people think.
- A room on Airbnb (a rental website) from $ 35 per night, a hotel room from $ 100 per night.
- Housing prices in Mexico start at $ 500 per month, but this is for those who are renting for a long time. In the short term, it will most likely be more expensive.
To buy real estate in Mexico, you need a residence in the country, or citizenship. You can find a small house or apartment for 3 million rubles. Closer to the sea or in a prestigious area, the price increases indefinitely! - The cheapest prices in Mexico are for food. Something edible is sold on every corner, you can eat tacos (a traditional local dish) from 150 rubles per person!
- I do not recommend public transport to get around the city. Use Uber or taxi in Mexico. The price depends on the region. For example, a trip in 20 minutes costs 200-300 rubles. You can also rent a car in Mexico, it will cost about $ 50 per day.
- To get around Mexico between cities, you can also use a rented car (calculate the cost of gasoline and toll roads), buses – I recommend ETN, it will cost $ 50 per trip between cities. Or planes — $ 100 flight between nearby cities, $ 250-300 – if you fly from the center of the country to the coast.
– Work in Mexico.
— You will be able to work only with a work permit, it must be issued before entering the country through an invitation from the employer. Proficiency in Spanish and English will be a prerequisite. In tourist regions, for example, in the Caribbean, feel free to look for a job in the tourism sector!
– Tell us about the mentality of Mexicans and their culture.
– Mexicans are both similar and not like Russians! The main differences are putting everything off until tomorrow, never being punctual: neither in work nor in personal life. This is an ostentatious friendliness and smiles, which are nothing more than a manifestation of politeness, not friendship, as many Russians think at first!
A class society where your standard of living and the attitude of others towards you depend on which social class you belong to. Hence the so-called classism – racism, but on the grounds of income level.
At the same time, Mexicans are very family, responsible husbands and dads. And of course, Mexicans adore foreigners and worship white skin! If you are from Europe – much better. The USA and Americans are disliked here, as well as here.
Mexicans are patriots, don’t try to criticize their country out loud. Do not try to feed them borscht or dumplings, they will prefer tacos – a traditional dish of Mexican cuisine!
— How to marry a Mexican?)
– You need to be a white girl with blue eyes, then a Mexican husband is at your feet! A joke) In fact, as everywhere else, you need to look for your own person with a similar character and plans for life.
– Tell us about kindergartens and the education system in Mexico.
– Education is divided into private colleges and public schools. Compulsory education up to the 8th grade of secondary school. Public schools are considered much weaker than private ones, there are often overcrowded classrooms, there are not enough teachers, the behavior of students is beyond control – and many children there are from poor neighborhoods and from disadvantaged families.
Mexico’s private kindergartens, colleges and universities are very pleasant. They respect the child there, there is half a day of study in English, and half a day in Spanish. They often teach additional subjects there: music, art, science in English. Or alternative systems are creeping in: constructivism, Montessori, Waldorf.
You will find private colleges in Mexico for every taste and budget. Children are brought there by cars – a special nanny helps children get out of the car and go to school so that a traffic jam does not form in front of the college gates, and all parents would have time to take their children on time. After all, lessons begin at 7.30 am.
— What dishes of Mexican cuisine would you recommend to try?
– It is impossible to answer this question! Mexican cuisine, thanks to its diversity, adherence to traditions and richness of tastes, is listed in UNESCO as a heritage of humanity on a par with French. I advise you to try typical dishes in each region, especially at markets or “tiangis” – mobile markets that work on certain days of the week.
Mandatory for tasting: posole, mole, guacamole, birria, tacos, seafood cocktail, sopa azteca, tostadas, enfriholadas, enchiladas, chili en nogada, gorditas, atole, tamales, tepache, teuino, posol, numerous types of tropical fruits and ice cream from them!
— What does traveling give you?
– Traveling is an incomparable experience, they enrich our inner world so much, make us more tolerant of a “different” way of life, open up new facets of the world and ourselves to us. My dream is to start traveling all over Mexico and talk about it on my Instagram.
– Your wishes to travelers going to Mexico.
– Logic is your faithful assistant on vacation in Mexico. In Mexico, everywhere is dangerous – not true, in Mexico everywhere is safe – a lie. Focus on forums, on local advice, on your own flair. The same intuition will come in handy when choosing a place for lunch. We saw a crowd of locals chewing merrily — it’s probably delicious, inexpensive, and you won’t get poisoned!
Instagram: @tania.mexika
Olga Avrakh was talking
Photo of Tatiana
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