Beautifully written and a very thought inspiring essay.
It made me reflect on my own experience on being an immigrant or considered an expat: Both in Switzerland where I immigrated to in 1973 as a 12-year old and suffered a culture shock - it was here that I first personally experienced what it means to be a foreigner in language, behaviour and perception, but I survived, indeed eventually thrived.
Then 18 years later, I met my „media naranja” a Chilanga, who was vacationing in Switzerland and who introduced me to Mexico and Mexican culture, opening up a whole new world of experience of what it means to be foreign and privileged as an expat.
With my new Mexican in-laws, as an Anglo-Swiss gringo, I experienced their generosity and curiosity and tested their patience and sense of humour. The result has been 30 years of happy marriage and two young adults adept at crossing the cultural divide between Switzerland, England and Mexico. This as well as a deep love and sometimes vexation with Mexico, a beautiful, complex and bewitching country.
Thus my background and motivation for subscribing both to MND and the Mexpatriate - and to keep up-to-date on Mexican daily life, society, history, culture and politics.
Dear Kathleen, I wish you and the MND team all the best and much success on taking over the reigns and look forward to your future coverage and comments on all aspects of Mexico and Mexican society.
Love this essay! A wonderful visual, introspective yet gentle and kind assessment of the highly charged dynamic of immigration/expatriation. Very thoughtful read!
Beautifully written and a very thought inspiring essay.
It made me reflect on my own experience on being an immigrant or considered an expat: Both in Switzerland where I immigrated to in 1973 as a 12-year old and suffered a culture shock - it was here that I first personally experienced what it means to be a foreigner in language, behaviour and perception, but I survived, indeed eventually thrived.
Then 18 years later, I met my „media naranja” a Chilanga, who was vacationing in Switzerland and who introduced me to Mexico and Mexican culture, opening up a whole new world of experience of what it means to be foreign and privileged as an expat.
With my new Mexican in-laws, as an Anglo-Swiss gringo, I experienced their generosity and curiosity and tested their patience and sense of humour. The result has been 30 years of happy marriage and two young adults adept at crossing the cultural divide between Switzerland, England and Mexico. This as well as a deep love and sometimes vexation with Mexico, a beautiful, complex and bewitching country.
Thus my background and motivation for subscribing both to MND and the Mexpatriate - and to keep up-to-date on Mexican daily life, society, history, culture and politics.
Dear Kathleen, I wish you and the MND team all the best and much success on taking over the reigns and look forward to your future coverage and comments on all aspects of Mexico and Mexican society.
Simon Kernahan
Great personal essay at the end. Very insightful
Love this essay! A wonderful visual, introspective yet gentle and kind assessment of the highly charged dynamic of immigration/expatriation. Very thoughtful read!