Debbie Vorachen from AhoritaYA is today’s featured blogger.
Love brought me to Mexico! I fell in love with a Mexican man while he was dancing Mexican folklore at a festival in the Netherlands, where I was volunteering as a guide for another dance
group. That happened in 2012… it’s 2024 now, and we are still going strong – we even built a little family, and there are 4 of us now. I moved to Mexico in January 2014 and have lived here ever since.
AhoritaYA is about the cultural differences that you will probably face when moving to Mexico. As for the name, it has to do with the concept of time. Most expats and immigrants who move to Mexico come from countries where time is seen as something punctual, whereas in Mexico, it is seen as fluctual. When someone in Mexico says ‘Ahorita’, it will not be now. ‘Ya’ also means ‘now,’ hence the gathering now now (Ahorita YA).
AhoritaYA focuses on all of Mexico! I blog about Mexican culture and society in general and even wrote a book about this. As an anthropologist, that’s a project that lies close to my heart. I blog because I am a cultural anthropologist and a writer; it’s what I love doing and part of how I make a living.
These three posts reflect the importance of understanding Mexican culture and Spanish when you live here, temporarily or permanently.
3 Most Common Mistakes When Moving To Mexico
9 Mexican Movie Classics to Enhance Your Spanish Skills
Settling into Mexican Life: The Weekly and Monthly Must-Knows
I find it challenging to balance the right amount of information and not be seen as another example of gentrification in Mexico. Some people do not like to read a lot and have a prejudice quite quickly – they then don’t know why I live here and why I blog/wrote a book.
My best experience in Mexico has been integrating into my Mexican family. The worst experiences I’ve had in Mexico have been having to deal with any trámite (paperwork) at all.
For anyone planning on moving to Mexico, don’t just pack your belongings! Prepare for the move mentally, too – indulge in any information you can find about Mexican culture and society and learn (Mexican) Spanish.
I plan on staying in Mexico probably forever, although my dream would be to live 50/50 in
Mexico and the Netherlands.
I have big plans for my blog and wish it to be the number one resource on Mexican culture and society.
Connect with AhoritaYa on:
You can also find Debbie’s book, What the Mexpat: About expats, immigrants, and everyone in between, on Amazon.
Surviving Mexico 