Eating chicken feet with my husband in Pachuca.
I am a 26 year old language arts teacher and Mexpat, born and raised in Missouri. Originally, I was to be an art historian, but my college thwarted my attempt to graduate by making my senior seminar a studio art class–no artistic talent here. All I had ever wanted to do with my degree was to teach, so I made the leap to middle school language arts education. After seven years of college, I finally graduated and instantly ran away to Mexico to live with my husband.
In April of 2009, I married Salvador, who is a Mexican citizen. We attempted the immigration process, failed, tried again, and failed once more. Ultimately, we were living in separate countries for a year and a half. Which is the short version of why I am living with him in Mexico.
Married!
For the first 25 years of my life, I lived in Missouri. Due to my penchant for changing colleges and apartments, I have lived in five different cities, but not one outside the state boarders. The move to Mexico was a giant leap for me–one that has been exciting, scary, and deliriously beautiful all at the same time.
I chose to begin this blog so that I could chronicle this time of change in my life and help share my perspective on a situation that is often devastating. While I know that my experiences are not unique–there are many men and women who have been forced into similar situations thanks to immigration problems–I do believe that they are valuable and worth sharing.
Sal and I
I hope you take the time to follow my little blog and comment occasionally. I’ll try to keep my content fun and interesting.
Greenga Girl 
I’m so excited to follow your blog! I wish you the best of luck with your move and transition. Are you going to have internet connection set up before your arrival? I’m a fan now and will be visiting often to read your post! What an exciting time in your life you have so graciously decided to share with us! Waiting in suspense until your next post.
I will not know my housing assignment until July and I arrive at the first of August. The school has said they will help me set up internet and cable, but from my understanding this can take months to complete. Until it is all hooked up, it will be internet cafes and my kindle to give me internet access.
Hey there,
I was just poking around the internet and found that you live in Pachuca, as do I! Im from Canada but we’ve been living here for the past year! If you even want to talk English….!!! We are volunteer teachers here and are always looking for english speaking people!
I just found your blog and I’m so excited to find someone in my neck of the woods! My honey lives in Acatlan (near Tulancingo). My first attempt at living in Mexico wasn’t so great, but I’m working on going back. Good luck on your move!
Thank you for the well wishes. Yeah, not too many mexpats around Hidalgo it seems. The few blogs I have found haven’t been updated in over a year and haven’t been very positive–the main complaint being that it is boring. However, I have loved my time around Pachuca and the surrounding areas. And boring works for me because I am not the most exciting person. Street vendors and mercados are all it takes to thrill me.
I hope your second time here goes better. Let me know when you end up making the move.
Thanks for commenting on my blog! Do I know you already? I love love love my Kindle for keeping me connected when I’m done in Mexico. You won’t be moving very far from us either, about an hour to be exact. The Arco Norte takes you straight into Tlaxcala from Pachuca although it’s spendy at 200 pesos one way. We aren’t moving into October though so you’ll beat us down, lol. I look forward to reading more about your journey too.
Krystal
No, I don’t think I have commented on your blog before. I have been seeking out Mexico/Expat/Bi-Cultural related blogs gearing up for the move. I learn so much from others experiences and often come away feeling for the first time like I am not the only one with these experiences and feelings.
I feel terrible for not knowing too much about other cities in Mexico, but my husband has mentioned Tlaxcala before. We are looking forward to taking weekend trips once we get settled, so hopefully I can explore and learn more about the area outside of Pachuca/Actopan/Ixmiquilpan.
Are you on Facebook by chance? Look me up under Krystal Loverin Membrila and send me an add request if you are. We have a large group of more than 120 members that are either moving to Mexico or have already lived there for several years so we can answer the majority of any questions. Not to mention, offer support and a friendly ear.
I see you found me there already! Thanks for the add.
I have some questions I am dying to get answered! my friend from ohio has lived in mexico city for a while now.. and has told me several diff things about the visa, working, etc..
Feel free to ask me anything, though visa inquires will best be answered by the Mexican embassy.
Hi, I am Debra. Krystal is one of my friends as well. I live in Mexico five or six months and come back for a couple and do it all over again. I live in Tequcuilco, Guerrero. And when I am back stateside I am in Oklahoma. I am stateside now and will stay here until December so I can earn some more money to finish our house and open another business. If you have any questions feel free to ask. My kindle is my best friend when I am there! Good Luck!
Debra Hernandez
Thank you for stopping by! I live in Missouri at the moment, but I will be off to Pachuca, Hidalgo as of August. I find I have new questions every day, but most of the time I either forget to ask them or I randomly come upon the answers. How long have you been splitting your time between the US and Mexico?
I’ve been reading different blogs. All of them are great and I always have a good time reading them.I just came across with yours and I am very interested in your post. I like the way you write. I will follow from now on. My name is Lilia, I live in the Great Nortwest Portland-Oregon/Vancouver Wa. I’ve been married for a year now with a wonderful man from Argentina.
Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad to hear you enjoy my writing–it is one of my great passions and I hope it is something I will be able to pass on to my students.
It’s good to meet you! You’ll have to come visit us in Guadalajara if you ever get a chance! You’ll love Mexico- the people are amazing and friendly and very very accepting- unlike the attitudes in the US toward immigrants! Give me a shout if you need any advice or just a shoulder… We’re kind of in this together! LOL
Thanks. I hope to travel at some point, but at first I think I will just be getting acclimated to my new life and trying to settle in. Guadalajara is definitely on my list (though at the top is Puebla-much closer).
Hey Sarah. Just wanted to say- I got your back! 🙂 Let me know if there’s anything else said… Love ya!
Thanks, Rhonda. I appreciate it.
chiken feet are delicious !!! Mexicans eat them with lots of Salsa Valentina.
🙂
Hi! Thank you for adding me to your favorite blog link. Likewise, I will add you too. Just this year I had the pleasure of visiting Pachuca, Real del Monte y los Prismas. I fell in love with the place. Looking forward to reading about your adventures and best of luck with your blog. Saludos, Cristina
Hi, Another expat (not in Hidalgo) recommended your blog to me. I’m out of the way mostly (as in hidden from other expats) due to my jobs. I live in Pachuca, have two kids, teach and am married to a Mexican. If you ever wanna talk or anything, send me an email. I’d love to – my treat. We can meet up at the local Starbucks here or somewhere else in Pachuca. I have been here 4 years now and am very happy but dying to go home (am very homesick). We plan to go back in July to Florida.
Cheers!
Claudine
(claudinedenava@yahoo.com)
I read your blog and I must say I loved it! Very easy to follow and very detailed. I am happy that you are doing well in Mexico. I have been reading your blog and blogs similar to yours because I will be leaving to live in Mexico for an undetermined amount of time. I will be living in Mexico City. My husband had to voluntarily depart the US as ordered by an immigration judge. His I-130 was approved so now we wait for the next step.
Hi my name is Michelle Perez and not sure what expat or mexpat is…but I’m from California, and married to a Mexican, have 2 kids and live in Acayuca, Mexico about 5 minutes from Pachuca, would love to talk with u ladies…dying to have a friend besides my husband 🙂 my email is armnattre@gmail.com.
Hi. This may sound crazy but I ran across this blog looking for someone I lost contact with 3 years ago. His name is Sergio Medina Osorio and he lives there in pachuca. He onced lived in Georgia which is where I am. We were madly in love for four years when his dad died he went home to stay with his mother and family and I have never seen him again. Since my number has chaned and we lost touch. He was my best friend and took care of me when my mother died. I had a dream of him last night woke up and began to search for anything once more and as always I didnt find anything because I know he never used a computer. Then, I ran across this. So, as crazy as it seems maybe I was ment to find this blog , maybe you can help me find him. I know after three years things and people change and I’m sure he has moved on I just need to know he is ok and that there is not a day that passes that I don’t think of him. Please if there is any information you could give me to find him somehow I would forever be greatful to you! My email is stephanie.mechelle@yahoo.com
I messaged you back on Facebook. I do not know him but I might know someone who does. Any information you have about him could help.
Your Blog is absolutely AMAZING! 🙂 you are incredibly inspiring / motivating, particularly for a gringa like myself from the States who *dreams* of teaching in Mexico City amidst “concerns” from family & friends. I’m nervous about what support systems I would have in place if I were to make such *a big move* and were lucky enough to land a teaching job. I absolutely loved your post from February titled, “Teaching in Mexico” 🙂 Definitely has me feeling hopeful / optimistic!
Would love to chat more with you! Thank you again & keep up the excellent work! This blog has been so helpful to so many people!
Hi there!
Like many others, I want to thank you for writing this blog and sharing your experience. I have recently accepted a position to teach at an American school in Pachuca, and have been busy reading up as much as possible about the area. I am a single mom of two kids, and will be bringing them with me. It’s hard to get out and meet new people with two young kids in tow, so this is how I’m doing it for now! I will be moving down there in late July, and will hopefully get to meet some other expats to make this adventure a little easier! Thanks again for all that you’ve posted… I’ve read it all and feel a lot less nervous about moving.
Thanks for writing and feel free to ask any questions.
I dont know how I havent been by your little place on the net before! Spotted you over on Vals blog (This is Life) . Congrats on the pregnancy, and let me know if you need any help in the upcoming months – I have two little girlies and am an expert at babywearing, nursing, and running around after them like a chicken with my head cut off. LOL.
But seriously! Let me know, we are in Hidalgo every once in awhile, extended family in Tulancingo.
I’d love to know where I can buy wraps to wear the baby!
I love your blog! very inspired to do something like this! I am 22, born and raised in Portland Oregon and have decided to move to Mexico City in….28 days. gah! I have been to mexico city in December and march to visit my soon to be boyfriend, and study in school to teach English and go about life and live my dream of living outside of the us. congrats on the baby too! 🙂
Hello, just wanted to say I enjoyed reading your blog. I’m also from MO and I live in Mexico DF now. I’d love to exchange emails if you’re up for it. Keep in touch, Angie
Can you please tell me a bit about your life in Pachuca, I know compared to MX city it is smaller, but are there many young people, places to explore, etc? Do you feel safe and could you recommend a neighborhood. Thank you!