Mexico and the United States are completely different! I was born in Sonora, which is a state in Mexico; Sonora borders Arizona. When I was five, I moved to Tucson with my Mom and my stepdad, and my two new step siblings… but this is honestly not important and you’re not reading an autobiography are ya’,  so let’s move on. The first thing I realized when I moved to what is called “gringo-landia” in Mexico were the tortillas! I cannot explain how good Mexican tortillas are. They’re simply just not bad… The texture, quality, packaging and flavor are completely different. Also, the Sonoran hotdogs are NOT the same. Again, the taste is different, yet they include the same ingredients. Now, how is that possible? Dear F.D.A, please go to Mexico and take notes on how to make ingredients taste the same, thank you – your local Mexicano. Furthermore, Taco Bell is a slight joke. It’s good when it’s 3 a.m and there’s nothing else to eat because your local McDonald’s just happens to not be open for 24 hours. I remember the first time my family came to visit and my mom and I took them to Taco Bell. Can you guess what happened? My whole family hated it, and this is what my aunt had to say: “Literal, los peores tacos dorados que eh probado mejor me quedo con las ganas (Literally, the worst hard shell tacos I’ve ever tried I’d rather stay craving tacos than eat this).” Oh my goodness, and don’t even get me started on Eegee’s! They’re just a rip-off of a Mexican treat called ‘raspados’ which is like shaved ice, but not really. Raspados are large pieces of shaved ice with natural flavors and lechera or cajeta (caramel) on top. They’re the best thing you can have on a hot summer day. 

Obviously the food is different, but what about the lifestyle? Well, there’s also a huge difference. First of all, in every Mexican neighborhood there’s always that Tia Chismosa (Gossip Aunt), everyone calls her Tia (Aunt) but no ones related to her. Literally, no one! She always has the latest gossip about the neighborhood, and doesn’t miss a single morning of going over to her comadres (‘friends’) house and drinking coffee while also spilling the tea. Honestly, I’ve never encountered la Tia Chismosa in my current neighborhood. Also, all you see in the streets of Mexico after 6 p.m are children playing outside, whether it be soccer, baseball, tag, you name it. I grew up playing outside my house with all my friends in the afternoon. I remember just wanting to get back home before 6 to be able to play. However, when I moved to the U.S I saw that the streets were all empty. Not one kid in sight. The neighborhoods just seemed…dead. Furthermore, almost every house in Mexico has a Virgin Mary outside of it. You know what every house in America has? An American flag, don’t you just love the patriotism? It’s not a bad thing, but let’s be honest, do you really need three or more american flags to decorate your front lawn? Oh, and let’s not forget the mini one that goes on the family vehicle. As I’ve explained, Mexico and the United States are really different, and not just in the aspects I’ve described above. However, no matter how different they both are, these two countries are both perfect in their own ways.