If you haven’t read part 1 of the series, you should start there.
I didn’t want to meet a Latina who have never experienced a foreigner in their life. Why? They’re usually too traditional. Yet, I didn’t want to meet a Latina obsessed with U.S. culture. Why? Well, those women are typically anxious to find a man as their anchor to a better life in the United States.
Either type of woman wouldn’t be a compatible match. After all, I wanted to live in Mexico, particularly in rapidly developing cities or towns. I lived in San Miguel De Allende. I’m not interested in those places, where you can live there and survive without speaking Spanish. Surprisingly, there are several Mexican cities and towns with that convenience.
Unlike many retired foreigners, I prefer to speak Spanish mostly. Unlike many retired foreigners, I don’t want to contribute to the gentrification problem. Many Mexican families have generations of history in those towns and now have to leave because the cost of living has risen and wages haven’t risen accordingly. Bilingual and entrepreneurial Mexicans benefit the most from areas heavily populated with foreigners, but many other Mexicans suffer greatly.
Unfortunately, many of those bilingual, entrepreneurial Mexicans are men. I wasn’t expecting to only meet bilingual Latinas, but it was a preference. Although, I wasn’t expecting for their English to be perfect either. After all, Mexico’s official language isn’t English.
Seven months later, I lived in Tequisquiapan, a Pueblo Magico in the state of Queretaro and a short drive away from another Pueblo Magico, Bernal. In Tequisquiapan, you need to speak Spanish because few people are bilingual. It’s definitely a great town to experience Mexican culture without seeing many foreigners. Most of the town’s foreigners include retirees, missionaries, and teachers. The foreigner population is so small that you’ll know all of the foreigners within a few months.
My love for Mexico began there. Although, I couldn’t find love there because those Latinas want something that I can’t give them.
The story continues via my email series. You can read more by subscribing there.
Photo: Pixabay