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February 2020

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The Underground Railroad: From The US to Mexico

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The Mexican End Of The Underground Railroad

When you hear “Mexico”, does The Underground Railroad come to mind? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but sadly, I knew nothing about how enslaved African Americans escaped to Mexico along what we know as the Underground Railroad. I don’t recall ever learning about it in school. I was totally clueless until I was schooled on it by Ms. Patricia Talley, owner of Imagine Mexico Magazine. You can click here to read more about enslaved African Americans who managed to find freedom in Mexico.

Afro-Mexicans

In Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, and within the Costa Chica region, there’s a thriving community of Afro-Mexican people. We don’t hear much about them in the media, but they’re here. These people are descendants of those poor souls that immigrated to Mexico so many years ago in search of freedom.

Visiting Family

A couple of days ago, I decided to venture out and check out the tourist area in town. I just wanted to see what stores and restaurants were in the plaza. Everything was too touristy for me, including the prices, so I didn’t shell out any coins, except to purchase a delicious coconut and coconut water from a street vendor. The street vendor, like the majority of locals here, is Afro-Mexican. As a side note—he offers a fantastic rate of only $30 pesos (about $1.62 USD at the time of this writing). If you see him around in Ixtapa, flag him down and get your coconut and coconut water!

He could so totally be my cousin….The coconut was chilled, crisp, and delicious. That coconut water? OMG, so sweet and refreshing!

Each day here, as I walk around town, there’s always that feeling that I’m among family members. It’s especially easy since I often meet locals who resemble my close relatives. I learned that many slaves from North Carolina found refuge in the Mexican state of Guerrero. When I’m out and about, I’m always in the mindset that the locals I meet, like the lady with the two small children standing in the sweltering sun trying to sell peanuts to passersby, just might be my not too distant cousin.

From food and dance, to hair textures and some ideologies, it’s really interesting being able to experience Africa in Mexico.

If you’re interested in learning more about African roots in Guerrero, I suggest that you pay Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo a visit

Cityscape view from airplane window

What Canadian Cities Should Millennials Move to?

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As you contemplate your current living situation, you may wonder if it’s about time you moved to a larger city. Maybe you’ve been thinking about this for a long time and have already begun researching “Calgary Real Estate” and “best neighborhoods in Quebec.”

Maybe you’re bored and feeling a bit restless. You feel pressured to move because you live in a rural area or small town. You’re looking for the best Canadian city for millennials because you think you’ll have more job opportunities if you move to a larger city. Perhaps you think living in the big city will lead to a more active and fulfilled life.

Instead of moving to another area for one of those reasons, consider if moving would improve your quality of life. Here are some thoughts to consider:

Income

Okay, so maybe you’ve been thinking, “I’ll be able to make more money by moving to a large city”. You may have heard stories about inflated salaries in your field of work. You’re convinced you’d be able to make the big bucks if you just loaded all of your belongings in a truck and headed to an urban area.

Well, this may be true. You may be able to get a significant raise by relocating. At the same time, how much more will you be paying on living expenses? How much will your rent or house payment increase? What about your transportation costs and parking? Will you be dining out more if you live in the city?

Also, you may be able to land a more prestigious job, but at what cost? Will you have to work longer hours? Will your job come with stress?

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “There’s more to life than money.” Guess, what? That’s true!

Family

If family is really important to you, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions: Will moving make it more or less difficult to spend time with my family? No one is getting younger. Would it be worth living in a large city if I missed out on my grandfather’s 80th birthday party? Or my parent’s 50th anniversary celebration? If you have children, you might consider: Do I want them to grow up in an area with a fantastic children’s museum or a stone’s throw from their grandparents?

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Maybe you feel the need to move to a trendier area because you feel like you’re missing out on all the good stuff by living in your current location.

You’ve seen all the awesome posts on social media of your friends living it up in the city. You want to have a great time and post amazing pics, too! Do you feel the need to move to an urban area because of your fear of missing out on something?

Final Thoughts

I’m saying all this to say: Before you plan a move, think about WHY you want to make it. Will moving to a different area make you happier with your life? Will you feel more content in your skin if you live in a different surrounding? How will your relationships improve by moving to a larger city?

Instead of looking for a list of Canadian cities that are good for millennials, think about what area of the country is right for you.

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