I guess I've started looking back on those times because I've been reading some blogs of a few ladies who have just arrived to Mexico in the past few years. I see how they long for American products or gadgets you just can't find here. I can remember feeling like that. I once had my mother send me croutons and chocolate chips. That sounds funny now, especially since you can find them in the grocery store these days. I guess I just don't go looking for things that aren't here anymore. At one point I decided that I would make do with what is available. There are still a few things my mom sends me. Socks for my boys or magazines. If she comes for a visit I will order clothes for them online, since they are cheaper. I also still get a few things from people (mainly chocolate :) if they happen to ask me and are going to the States. But I don't pine away after stuff anymore. I guess it's part of the long process of making Mexico home.
June 24, 2011
Looking back...
Lately I've been thinking back to when I first moved here permanently after I got married. I think about how lonely I was and how much I wanted friends who I felt would understand me, as an American. It was pretty tough at times. I tried to make friends but I felt like an outsider, like I couldn't truly connect with people. Looking back I can clearly see I was depressed, but at the time I just kept feeling like if I tried a bit harder, life would get better. During that time I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and getting on medicine helped a bit. I also began working at a language school and made friends with a girl who I am still friends with. Knowing her and feeling understood helped me more than she will ever know. We are still friends and have children that are months apart. I am so thankful for her friendship!
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I have not been here long enought to start missing so many things. I have been here on and off for almost a year now. When I do stay here for long periods of time I dont feel like I miss that much. I am sure that time will come. But I can see how you would eventually stop thinking of things that you dont or will not have.
ReplyDeleteYou must have come across my blog! I have been here for 3 years and I can tell you over that time, I have found that they have added so many new things to the grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteIt does get easier and I start to want less and less from the States. But there are just a handful of things that I love to get in the mail.
And you are right, clothes shopping in the US is so much cheaper!
Valarie, I did read your blog :) You are so crafty. Love those pillows and quilts and all your cute ideas. I'm thinking of trying out that colored rice with my boys. I think they'll love it but I'm debating cuz it'll be so messy!
ReplyDeleteI live in Puebla, I think it's the fourth largest city in Mexico. We even have diet, caffeine-free Dr. Pepper these days. There is pretty much everything, except Chick-fil-a and Dairy Queen :)I guess making do without certain products isn't the same now as it was ten years ago.
But I remember when walking into a Costco helped me feel like I could exhale and breathe right. It was tough because even though I saw tons of things that made me feel back home, I couldn't really afford most of them! And now that I can, I realize I don't need or want them really, it was just the comfort of them I wanted.
Little by little it gets easier.
Anyway, it's nice to "meet" you :)
Lisa, maybe it will hit you once you stay awhile, or maybe it won't. You seem to be more optimistic than I am.
Hi Karen! I've been in Mexico for almost 20 years and I still love having food/candy from the States. And I really enjoy sharing it with my two daughters. I feel like it's part of me and my culture and I like for them to know that.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few stores here in GDL that import a ton of products from the States, but unless I really, really want something, I won't pay those kind of prices. I also do as you do, and ask a friend that's going to the States to bring it down. But Wal-Mart has lots of great imported items (I recently found Apple Jacks ceral) and Waldo's.
The one thing I really miss is Taco Bell even though a lot of people are grossed out when I say that! :)
I LOVE taco bell. I could eat there and Chick-fil-a every meal :)
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, I'm so happy to hear of another American near me! We'll be living in Acuamanala, about 30 minutes outside Puebla as you head towards Tlaxcala. Yippie, I'm so excited :) I am coming down for my 7th visit in about 3 weeks. We opened a store with American clothes there last October so I fly down to restock it often. Which school do you teach at? I hope we'll get to meet up when our family gets settled down there in November. I have 2 daughters Mia 3 and Erika 8 and my husband's two boys live in DF :)
ReplyDeleteKrystal
Krystal,
ReplyDeleteWe can definitely meet up. I don't teach anymore but I was with the Volkswagen Language School and I used to drive about halfway to Tlaxcala to give classes at an electrics factory there. I quit after I had my children. My boys are four and seven so maybe we can have a play date with our kids :) Is Acuamanala on the same road as Santa Ana Chautempan? I'll have to email you.
Ok, looked for your email but didn't find it. Can you send it to me: knrobbinsmxATgmailDOTcom
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