Mexico - Pueblo Mágico for Quebecer

The further I progress in my grand Mexican adventure, the more convinced I am that this country was tailor-made for me and that I'll eventually find a cozy little corner to settle down in.

Since my arrival, I've often been asked THE question: "Why did you leave Canada to come here?" And "What are you really looking for in Mexico?"

Well, the perfect place is subjective, but after traveling all over the world, and especially in Mexico, my criteria have become as refined as a good tequila.

Here's my realistic (or not so realistic) wish list:

• A small town (50,000 inhabitants max, not a swarm of beehives), ideally in the historic center. Why? So I can do all my shopping on foot, like a fit Mexican grandma. It keeps my body in shape, my mind in a good place, and it brings smiles to my neighbors' faces. Bonus: I become the gringa who checks in on the youngest child and swaps chilaquile recipes.

• A small town but close enough to a big city for emergencies like "I need an iPhone right now" or "I still have to see my dentist." And most importantly: an international airport not too far away. Because yes, I'm going to keep visiting my family in Quebec and Ontario, and I've started dreaming of Greece (I've already started the Duolingo Greek course).

• A town at a high altitude that offers eternal spring 365 days a year. Lunch on the patio every day without melting? Yes, please!

  Beaches are nice for a vacation, but living six months with 95% humidity and 40°C? That's my idea of ​​hell. No thanks, I'll pass.

• A Pueblo Mágico, of course! One of the 177 town chosen by Mexico for their natural beauty, rich culture, traditions, folklore, history, divine cuisine, art, and above all, their legendary hospitality. Because if it's not magical, it's not worth it.

• And most importantly: far enough from active volcanoes so I don't have to spend my mornings sweeping ash off my patio before enjoying my café con leche. I love nature, but not when it forces me to sweep.

In addition, Mexico also offers:

• A relaxed and social lifestyle: Mexicans are warm, open, and festive. Family and enjoyment come before work. There's time to eat out, see friends, and simply enjoy life. Music is everywhere, markets are vibrant, the food is exceptional, and parties are non-stop. Elders are respected (and that... is something I'm increasingly aware of). All these social interactions perhaps explain why we take ten times fewer "happy pills" (antidepressants) here than in Quebec.

• Access to nature (in the mountains) and idyllic beaches (Caribbean or Pacific).

• Affordable and fast private healthcare: a doctor in less than an hour, a specialist in less than a week.

• A much more affordable cost of living if you adopt the local lifestyle, like: eating out, laughing loudly, dancing, and enjoying life.

  
  

After trying out lots of different places since I arrived, my provisional (and very subjective) list is: Valle de Bravo, Coatepec, and Tequisquiapan. (All three are Pueblos Mágicos).

By the end of summer, I should be settled in a place that suits me (or that puts up with me). I'll keep you posted as soon as I've made up my mind… or as soon as a new town catches my eye along the way. Because on my way from Yucatán to Tequisquiapan, I'm passing through Oaxaca and Chiapas… and who knows? Maybe a fourth option will tempt me along the way.

¡Viva México, and long live organized chaos! Stay tuned for the rest of my adventures!