I was perusing my mint today when I came across a very interesting article about the difference between being an ex-pat and being absorbed into the foreign culture you’re in. The conversation concerns Americans in San Miguel de Allende Mexico, but it’s relevant for Americans in all foreign cultures. Doug Bower has some seriously interesting things to say and I full-heartedly agree with a good portion of it. Makes for an Interesting read.
To me, when I think of the word ex-pat, it doesn’t necessarily refer to my relationship with Mexico, more so my relationship with the U.S. But as the article describes, I am most definitely still connected to my ex-country by a big, fat umbilical cord (so the irony of calling the U.S. my “ex-country” isn’t lost on me). As my homie Ro puts it, and I’m paraphrasing here (cuz I can’t really do chilango-accented spanglish just yet): “Never be in love with a place, because all places change. Be in love with a state of mind and you can take that anywhere.”
