A couple years ago – and let’s be serious, even one year ago – we would not have thought we’d be living in Mexico trying to wait out a global pandemic before heading off on our planned post-work journey. TL/DR – life is unexpected, and planning is for suckers.
Anyway, since we have been in Mexico for a couple months now, we decided to make a list of things we have noticed, both unexpected and expected. This is in no way an exhaustive list. Rather, just a few tidbits on nomadic life-lessons in Mexico.
- We prefer to live in a place with a fully functioning and fully equipped kitchen. That doesn’t mean we need to be Martha fucking Stewart. A range, fridge, oven, one sharp knife, and at least a couple pans in good condition would be nice. Maybe not surprisingly, this is hard to come by when you’re on the move.
- We haven’t really experienced cold weather since spring in Denver, and the lack of seasons is really confusing to body and mind. Side note: I can’t actually think of an instance in the next few months in which I will need to wear pants.
- We really miss the variety of American grocery stores. Three words for you – plant based yogurt
- If we are to acclimate to a climate, I think we prefer a cooler one. Additionally, maybe we are just mountain people. Not that it surprises us, but mountains are just better.
- Spending only $3 to have someone wash all my clothes and turn them around fast makes me think I should never actually do laundry myself…ever again.
- Fast and available internet is a critical feature of life. And don’t give me that “ah, you need to be able to unplug” shit. This is 2020. Life is digital, and not having access to simple functions is a deal breaker. Technology and the internet is how we are able to live as nomads. It’s how we pay bills and get mail. It’s how we find and engage services and medical care, entertain ourselves and communicate with others. Unplugging is fine for a few days while on vacation, just not for life.
More random thoughts on our current home…
- There is a very eclectic group of people around here beyond the locals; expats from all over, young, old, or young at heart, lots of vacationers, the growing hoard of digital nomads, hippies, hipsters, man buns, yoga chicks, rich people on holiday, and old scruffy men clearly trying to escape either tax bills, ex-wives, or law suits brought on them for as a result of them fucking over their corporate pension fund. You can spot those guys pretty easy.
- Man cannot live by taco alone…no matter how good those tacos are.
- It’s hot. And it’s not really the temperature, just the searing heat from the potent sunshine. Daily activities outside should really end before 10am. And, constant sun really does a number on your eyes.
- Mexicans work really, really, hard. And they are beautiful and endlessly pleasant.
- The food is really fucking good. Fresh. Yeah, limited ingredients, but it’s because you simply don’t need them.
- There is not a well tuned car in the entire country, added to other issues, leaving a lot to be desired when it comes to air quality.
- Speed bumps. You wanna slow people down? Enough with the cops and speed traps. Just put 12 inch unmarked speed bumps in the road at completely random places. Once you miss one and bottom out the car while going 50, you’ll start to slow down.
- We found where all the man-buns went when they left America. Todos Santos. They are all here, alive and well, and just exuding smugness.
- It is entirely possible to go to a cafe or taco stand, order food, and then intentionally not take pictures of it when it comes. People around us were confused, but we made it happen.
- Siestas really are a thing and we are continuously shocked to find the taco and beer stands closed at 3pm when we want happy hour.
- Choices can be few – food choices in markets mainly. Really, there is only 1 to two choices per category. Mostly, that’s fine, but when looking for, say, better looking broccoli or shit with no added sugar, you’re SOL
Final Thoughts…
We never expected being here, but it would be easy to get lost in Mexico for a while. Give me fast internet, a reasonably well equipped kitchen, and a way to get shit from Amazon and it would be more than easy. The dust, dirt, and little piles or garbage all over the place would get to me, as would the roosters and seemingly thousands of random dogs and millions of mosquitos, but beyond that, it’s pretty chill.
