Whether Here or There

Blogging has been an adventure for me over the last 10 years.  It began as a way to have some human interaction (albeit virtual interaction) when I was a stranger in a new country with an infant.  One of those scenarios alone is isolating, but doing both at the same time?

It was rough.

Along the way, I’ve met some fantastic people, both online and in person.  One of the most lasting relationships I’ve made through this odd medium is with Emily Garcia.  A mutual friend of ours (who found me through my blog) suggested that I meet Emily.  After stalking her a little on facebook, I found out quickly that she blogged.  Eek!

Of course, I clicked through to her blog, and it was one of those nights where I just kept reading and scrolling through posts for HOURS.  She’s also been blogging for the better part of 10 years.  While what she shares is interesting, it was the similarities between us that really struck me.

She’s also married to a Mexican man.

She also lives in Mexico.

She also converted to Catholicism in her late 20s.

She even got married five houses down from me!  I know I walked my dog past her wedding reception!

I was starting to think this was me in an alternate universe, when when she was describing something about dancing in Mexico, how she had been dancing to “La Camisa Negra” by Juanes since she was 15.

Wait a tic.

That’s not even possible!  That song came out when I was 25!

Oh, but it is possible when she’s 10 years younger than me!  But that’s about the only time we’ve noticed our age difference.

So when the South of the Border Bloggers announced that they were going to do an A-Z review of our Favorite Blogs in Mexico, I was thrilled that E hadn’t been taken by the time I signed up, so I could review Emily’s blog at emilylgarcia.com.

I’ve enjoyed reading about her adventures in Mexico, and now I love that I get to share in some of those adventures!

Below are Emily’s answers to key Mexico and blogging questions:

Why do you blog?

It’s a way for me to share online about my life in a way that feels more genuine than social media. I also love writing and blogging provides a platform for me to practice the skill on a regular basis.

What is your favorite blog post?

I really like the series I did about what it’s like to live in Mexico as an American because I can clearly see my cultural adaptation process as the posts go on. I also like the most recent post I wrote for my husband for our 4th wedding anniversary.

[Side note:  the 4th anniversary one is one of my favorites, too!]

What has been most difficult to blog about?

It’s been difficult to write about being in a cross-cultural marriage (my husband is Mexican) that has had its share of ups and downs.

What’s the best experience you’ve had in Mexico?

So many experiences come to mind, but I think I’d narrow it down to my 3 weddings (all to the same person!) and the day that I had my acceptance ceremony into the Catholic church.

[Side note:  wondering why Emily and Carlos had three wedddings?  Mexico does not legally recognize religious ceremonies, so most couples do have 2 weddings: one civil wedding and one religious ceremony.  However, they had the religious ceremony about a year before Emily was confirmed in the Roman Catholic church.  In fact, mere minutes before she was confirmed, the priest asked her if she and Carlos had been married in the church.

Ummm . . . nope!

His response?  No worries–we’ll get to that sooner than later!  So last year, when their daughter was baptized, they got married.

Again.

But really, is it possible to get married too many times to the same person?  I don’t think so!]

 

What’s the worst experience you’ve had in Mexico?

One of the loneliest periods of my life was in Mexico, though thankfully, it only lasted a few months! I was a newlywed struggling to understand and communicate well with my sweet, well-meaning husband, and I had few friends who really “got” me or understand what it was like to adjust to life in a new culture.

What advice do you have for those planning to move to Mexico?

Fully embrace the culture by eating the food, traveling, making Mexican friends, and learning Spanish as soon as you can. However, don’t forget to befriend other expats, too. They will understand your experiences in a way that no one else can and make your adjustment process so much smoother.

One of my favorite posts that Emily has written about life in Mexico is The Truth About Living Abroad.

Click through to get more of the living-abroad-in-Mexico lowdown from Emily!

Looking for more great blogs about life in Mexico (in English)?

Sure, because they’re in English, they’re mostly written by foreigners living here.  My Heart of Mexico might be the one exception to this list.  But there are some great perspectives shared, so click through the South of the Border Blogger sticker below (or the In-Linkz linkup button), and you’ll find 25 other great blogs from South of the (US) Border!

Looking for more great blogs about living abroad from all over the world?  Click through to my pinterest board, Great Blogs from Around the World!