Mani is a girl in her twenties with a name from India but born and raised in Mexico City. In 2008 she met her soul-mate (an American) while traveling in India. She blogs about travel, food and photography as well as her personal unpredictable experiences, attempting to seek a simpler life, wandering around the world, and surrendering to God.

1. Why did you move abroad?
I’ve moved abroad a few times. The first time was for college (Mexico City to London). The second time was to follow my heart, my soul-mate to the USA. Then we moved together to India where we had quite an experience, and we are currently back in the USA.

2. How do you make a living?
I’ve never had an actual  job abroad. When I was in North Carolina, I was a wedding director assistant.  Currently I make money with odd jobs doing translation and research work as well as by blogging. I work from home.

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
It varies, maybe weekly and definitely monthly. Mostly through email. Some Facebook and some Skype.

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in the USA?
Driving around is fairly simple compared to my hometown, Mexico City, where the roads make no sense and traffic is the worst thing you will live there.

I love the fact that I can get almost any business or product  information on the Internet. I have a strong hate for phones and phone calling (I don’t even own a mobile), so this is a big plus for me. Pretty much anything is available to be purchased online, it is very convenient.

Cleanliness. People work hard to keep this country clean. I love that. These are things that people take for granted.

Bagels, Trader Joe’s, Sun Chips, Thanksgiving dinner, New England clam chowder, extra sharp cheddar cheese. NFL.

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in the USA?
The Work identity. The first thing you will be asked when meeting a new person is “what do you do?”. It’s always an uncomfortable question for me. People here live to work instead of the other way around. I think they need to take a step back and relax and enjoy life outside of “success” and greed a little more. Everything seems to be a competition.

The fact that they don’t use the metric system.

This one is very personal: I feel very short and very young (not in a good way) in this country! Women my age look way older than I look, and I get carded ALL the time.

It very hard to eat fresh. All the food here seems to somehow be chemicalized (made-up word.) In Mexico and many parts of Europe, food is so fresh and delicious. It is hard to find that here.

6. What do you miss most?
Food, food, food. The fresh fruit stands, real authentic tacos al pastor, aguas frescas, homemade posole, ponche navideño, pastel de coco, avocado, lime on everything, mango, guacamole, chilaquiles, enchiladas… ugh I could go on.

Also, the people. Mexican people are very friendly, willing to help, and passionate.

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
The first time we moved to NC, we actually joined a church even though we are not church people. We met great people this way and got involved in the community by volunteering helping homeless people through feeding, sheltering, clothing and building programs. We attended some fun community events too.

The best thing was volunteering at the annual Film Festival. It was an amazing, enriching experience.

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
People rarely say “Bless you” when people sneeze. I’m used to it now, but in Mexico it is impossible to sneeze without at least one person saying “salud!”.

At a restaurant, you get your check soon after you are done eating. Many times you don’t even get asked if you are ordering dessert. I feel like they rush you to leave. In Mexico it is the opposite. You don’t get your check unless you ask for it, and hanging out after eating, having desserts, chatting and maybe having a couple more drinks is very common.

Supersize portions. I often find myself thinking or saying out loud: “This is the small? I can’t imagine what large looks like.”

Children are off the limits. Do not even attempt to talk or touch a child that is not yours, unless you know their parents very well.

I have nothing against being on time, but punctuality is like a religion here. If you are late 5 min, people who are expecting you start to get restless and find it very rude. I’ve seen the stress that it causes my husband when he’s running even a little late. I think people should try their best to be punctual, but if they’re not, it shouldn't be like a sin. Americans lack patience.

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
Myth: Life is easy in the USA. It is true that the material standard of living is higher but Americans work hard to get there. They work long hours, have short vacations and even “leisure time” is often spent doing activities that require work and effort including sports and exercising. Americans feel guilty when spending a long time doing nothing, relaxing or talking with friends. 

10. Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
The US is more expensive than Mexico and India, but a lot cheaper than London. I guess it has made a difference in my life but it is hard to tell because all my living and financial circumstances in each country have been vastly different.

11. What advice would you give other expats?
Be open-minded. Know that people in your new country are going to have their own, different way of living to what you are used to and accept it. Be respectful and be positive; they’re not doing it wrong, they are just doing it differently. If applicable, learn the language. Your life will be so much easier and enriching.

12. When and why did you start your blog?
I started it in the summer of 2013 when my hubby and I sold everything we owned, packed up two suitcases and moved to rural India. Our experiences there were something to write about and share. Since then, my blog has evolved and expanded into a travel, food, photography and personal blog, because our lives are so unpredictable and we never know where we will be living next.

Mani's blog, A New Life Wandering

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