Seven Differences 

We have just arrived back in Mexico from our furlough in Canada. A furlough, or at least this furlough, is a time of vacation, work, rest, presentations, visiting, meetings, and family, all mixed up and spread over a two month period. It is a time of coming home and missing home at the same time. A time of easing back into the familiar, yet still feeling out of place. 

During our time back in Canada, it was interesting to note what we, and especially our kids, noticed about the differences between life in Mexico and life in Canada. Some of these differences are minor details which speak to fascinating diversity among cultures. At other times these differences are more significant, revealing a divergence of values or beliefs.

Here are six of them, in no particular order: 

1. Drinking from the tap

Most are familiar with the common expression, “Don’t drink the water in Mexico.” And we don’t; at least not from the tap. We’ve grown accustomed to drinking from “garrafones” or jugs that we bring to the local water supply store every week to get filled up. When we arrived back in Canada it felt wrong, yet delightfully simple, to drink water straight from the tap. Our kids were mildly blown away that such a thing was even possible. 

On a related note, we’ve also grown accustomed to drinking our water at room temperature and have noticed that Canadians like to put their water in the fridge to keep it cold, or they add ice. Our kids usually protest and don’t really see the point. 

2. Throwing toilet paper in the toilet. 

The majority of plumbing in Mexico can’t handle toilet paper so it is common practice to throw your used toilet paper in a wastebasket instead. If you don’t, there are consequences so you learn quickly. Coming back to Canada we realized that this a hard habit to break and even towards the end of furlough I still caught myself tossing the TP in the garbage, and then retrieving it and putting it where it belongs so nobody complains about a smelly bathroom. From the looks of it, the habit was even tougher for our kids to break. 

3. Recreational infrastructure 

In our neck of the woods in Mexico there are parks; and playgrounds; and trails; and pools. And lots of waterparks. But Canada is on a whole other level. Parks are in almost every neighbourhood, playgrounds are generally well-maintained, trails are marked and plenty, and rec-centres are like something from a dream. Having infrastructure like this promotes an entire culture of being outdoors and participating in sports. It is definitely something we miss about Canada, although I will say that I am also looking forward to running again on the wild, unmarked cattle trails that crisscross the hills behind our house. 

4. Campers, trailers, RV’s, boats, ATVs

Related to difference number three is the abundance of recreation-related…stuff, for lack of a better word. These things are necessary if one is to take full advantage of both the Canadian outdoors and the short summers. During our time in Querétaro, we have seen maybe two RV’s and possibly a boat. That is due in part to a lack of lakes or swimmable rivers, but it is also an indication that most people don’t have the disposable income to spend on recreation. 

5. Multi-ethnicity 

In Querétaro, especially Santa Barbara where we live, we see pretty much only Mexicans. We are used to being the odd ones out who look different and speak different. Then, we return back to Canada and are surrounded by a wide range of ethnicities, languages, and cultures. There is something beautiful in the diversity and we enjoyed being part of it for a short time. We especially enjoyed the samosas and shawarma! 

6. Air-conditioning 

Canadians don’t like to be hot and Mexicans don’t like to be cold. This is what we have found to be generally true, as evidenced by the generous usage of fans and air-conditioning. Walk into church – it’s cold. Go for a visit to someone’s home – the fan is going full blast. Step into Save-on-Foods or Atmosphere – start to shiver. And it wasn’t even that hot out! Maybe we have accustomed to the weather a bit.

7. Tortillas 

We were grateful to find tortillas in the grocery store as they are not always easy to find. It was nice to have tortillas with our Mexican stew (with moose meat), but they weren’t quite the same. They weren’t fresh and they had a distinct taste which was…different. Also, they were more expensive, along with limes, mangos, oranges, and other things we enjoy in Mexico. 

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I suppose that is a good note to end on. Canada and Mexico are different. There are good things and not as good things about both. When we are in Mexico we miss certain things about Canada. When we are in Canada, there are things we miss about Mexico. The trick is to focus on the good, don’t get consumed by the bad, and practice contentment in all circumstances.