I know, I know, I know.
I was in Mexico the last five days. It was a “stamp my passport to avoid being an illegal immigrant” trip, and ended up being extended because my traveling companion fell ill.
I didn’t bring my laptop or a camera.
It was beautiful.
My friend and I went to San Cristobal de las Casas – my third trip there. Since I had already done most of the touristy things in the city, I kept myself content by walking around and thinking, partying far too hard, and sleeping a lot.
What did I think about? Basically, one thing: would I rather, in the long run, like to live in Guatemala or in Mexico?
Because let’s be honest. I’m hooked on “being away.” Living somewhere warm, different, rawer. So I want to live outside of Canada, going home enough to see my family and catch up with friends. But I’d still like to make a “home,” somewhere that I live for at least a few years.
Spending a few days in San Cristobal, I started to wonder whether I’d be more happy “settling down” in Mexico. Probably not in San Cristobal (touristy and way too hippie for me) but in a similarly vibrant town.
Why? Ai, it’s hard to put my finger on it. A lot of it is a feeling. This is not to say that I don’t love Guatemala. I do love this country very much, and I still think it is the most beautiful place in the world. But could I make a home here?
Well, let’s see. What are the things that Mexico can offer me that Guatemala can’t, and vice versa? (Of course, due to my limited experience this might be more like what can San Cristobal offer me that Xela can’t.)
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Points for Mexico
Vibrancy. Mexico is outgoing and lively. It’s open and people spend a lot of time in public. Again, this might just be a bit of a feeling… but I do feel this surging energy in Mexico while out and about in the street. Guatemala seems more conservative and family-oriented. While this can be lovely in its own way, it might not be as suited to who I am.
Security. I guess this depends a lot on location, because of course parts of the capital and many other cities in Mexico are very dangerous places. But there are, from what I’ve seen and heard, many places in Mexico that are just very, very safe when compared to Guatemala. A friend in San Cristobal asked me to come meet him when he got off work at 11:30pm a few nights ago. In Guatemala I would never think about walking alone at that time of night. In San Cristobal, the streets were still busy and well-lit. Night and day, I just feel a lot more relaxed when I am in Mexico (ok, San Cristobal but I hear that many other towns are similar) because security isn’t always on my mind.
Noctural life. I love nighttime, but I only really like to be noctural if I can feel off of other people’s energy. Otherwise I get tired and go to bed. Mexico seems to be a lot more nocturnal.
More opportunities? Sure, right now I am blissfully spending away my spendings in Guatemala. But the money is going to run out in approximately four months and then I’m fucked. There seems to be more job possibilities for me in Mexico, especially if I take the CELTA (teaching english) course.
Art! The art scene in Mexico City has got to be one of the most amazing I’ve ever seen. I went to so many wonderful and dynamic galleries back when I was there in 2008. Here there doesn’t seem to be as much of an art culture and that is something that is extremely important to me.
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Points for Guatemala
Dancing. Sorry dudes, but most Mexicans can’t dance. Or at least, can’t dance salsa, which is really the only kind I care about. I may be the dorkiest, least elegant salsero out there, but I still really, really love to salsa, and I want to keep doing it as long as I can. Mexicans seem to dance cumbia, which just confuses the hell out of me.
Inspiration and Challenge. This is another one that is difficult to quantify. But so many times, this country takes my breath away, and so many other times it frustrates the hell out of me. I thrive on that kind of thing. I feel like life in Mexico would be a lot easier, and that isn’t necessarily the best thing for me.
A good development community. Ok, I don’t really know about this stuff in Mexico. But at least in Xela, there are so many long-term, dedicated people working in NGOs and support each other’s projects. It’s a networker’s dream.
And, ultimately, I have many roots here now. Small, baby roots but roots nonetheless. It was my Guatemalan roommate’s birthday tonight. We had a small party at the salsa school after class, everyone from the dance scene was there. Those people know me pretty well now, they joke around with me and make me laugh. I was happy to be sitting and having a good time with familiar faces in what is still an unfamiliar land.
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