Finding Myself in Mexico: More Than Just a Destination

Growing up in the United States as a first-generation Latina, I was often finding myself caught between two worlds. At home, Spanish flowed freely, the scent of homemade Mexican food filled the air, and the traditions of my parents’ homeland shaped my upbringing. But beyond those walls, I lived in a world that often didn’t understand the richness of my heritage. It wasn’t until I traveled to Mexico that I truly began to see it not just as a vacation spot, but as a connection to my roots—a place that helped me understand who I was and who I could have been. 

Mexico is more than its picturesque beaches and vibrant tourist spots. It’s a land deeply woven with history, traditions, and a sense of belonging that can’t be captured in postcards or travel brochures. Every time I visit, I’m reminded that my identity isn’t just about where I was born, but about the culture and history that runs through my veins. 

A Tale of Two Lives

Every time I step off the plane in Mexico, I think about what life could have been like had my parents never left. I imagine waking up to the sounds of roosters crowing in my mom’s small town of Ojo Seco or the bustling energy of the markets in my dad’s hometown of San Juan Tetipac. Instead of early morning bus rides to school in the U.S., maybe I would have been walking down dirt roads, stopping by a local tiendita for a snack. Instead of celebrating holidays with a blend of American and Mexican traditions, I would have been fully immersed in the customs that now feel both familiar and foreign to me. 

That contrast shaped my childhood and, at times, left me questioning where I truly belonged. In middle school, those thoughts weighed on me the most. I often felt caught between two identities—American in some ways, Mexican in others, but never fully fitting into either. Speaking Spanish fluently, yet there were moments when I felt disconnected from the experiences of my family members who had grown up in Mexico. I knew the traditions, but I hadn’t lived them the same way they had. 

During that time, I compared myself to my friends who had just arrived from different Latin American countries. I saw how they carried their ethnicity, how they navigated a new culture while holding onto their roots, and it made me question how I fit into my own heritage. They had firsthand experiences of life back home, while my connection was shaped by stories, visits, and traditions my parents passed down. That feeling of in-between-ness lingered until I fully embraced what it meant to be both Mexican and American. 

Embracing My Heritage

It was during one of my visits to Mexico, while preparing for my quinceañera, that everything shifted. A quince is more than just a party—it’s a symbol of heritage, of transition, of embracing who you are. In the months leading up to it, I spent time in my family’s hometowns, experiencing the daily life I had always wondered about. I helped my tias prepare tortillas, watched as my abuelita carefully arranged the flowers in the church, and walked through the streets where my parents had spent their childhoods. 

Those moments made me realize that my identity wasn’t about choosing between two worlds—it was about embracing both. Mexico wasn’t just a place my parents had left behind; it was a part of me. It was in the stories my mom told about working in the fields as a kid, in the songs my dad played while he cooked, in the traditions that, even from miles away, had shaped my upbringing. 

More Than a Vacation Spot

For many, Mexico is known for its stunning beaches, delicious food, and lively cities, but for me, it represents something deeper. It’s the land of my ancestors, a place where history is alive in the cobblestone streets, the murals on the walls, and the rhythms of traditional music. It’s where I can see firsthand the strength and resilience of my people, from the street vendors working tirelessly to the artisans who keep ancient crafts alive. 

Mexico is where I learned that culture isn’t just something you observe—it’s something you carry with you. Even though I was raised in the U.S., my roots are firmly planted in the soil of Mexico. The more I visited, the more I understood that I didn’t have to choose between two identities. I could be both. I am both. 

Finding Yourself in Your Roots

Traveling to Mexico helped me see that embracing my culture isn’t about where I live, but about how I carry it within me. It’s in the way I celebrate traditions, the way I speak Spanish with pride, the way I honor the sacrifices my parents made so that I could have opportunities they never did. It’s in the way I dance at church with the Aztec group, feeling the connection to something greater than myself, knowing that generations before me did the same.

Mexico isn’t just a place I visit—it’s a part of my identity. And every time I go back, I find a piece of myself waiting there, reminding me of where I come from and who I am meant to be.