From Italy to Mexico amid the pandemic

Expat interviews
  • Tulum
    Shutterstock.com
Published on 2021-06-18 at 10:00 by Francesca
Aurora left her job in Italy a few months ago to embark on a long journey with her boyfriend. Mexico is their first stop since the country doesn't require quarantine on arrival. But this is just the beginning of Aurora's travel blogging adventure.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your background?

My name is Aurora. I am 31, and I was born and raised in the province of Treviso. I studied law, and after graduation, I found a job as an administrative secretary in a clinic in Padua, a city where I lived for more than three years. Two months ago, I quit my job to go on a long trip with my boyfriend, which begins in Mexico.

What brought you to Mexico?

First of all, I've never been there. This is already an important factor for me to visit a place. I also had to consider the current situation due to the pandemic. We had the choice between those states where there were fewer entry restrictions, such as Mexico. Honestly, I have always been fascinated by Mexico thanks to its cultural diversity and the different lifestyles compared to the places I have been to. I've always needed new things in my life, and curiosity drives me to seek experiences and people with different habits. Mexico, in its uniqueness, was perfect for my adventure.

What was it like to travel to Mexico during the pandemic?

Travelling during the pandemic is certainly more challenging, starting with the fact that you can't go anywhere you want at any time. You first have to check the destinations where travelling is allowed, considering that many countries around the world have not fully opened their borders until now, besides the strict health restrictions and entry conditions. So first I checked on the Skyscanner map in which states travellers from Italy were exempted from quarantine. After choosing Central America, I inquired whether there were any further entry requirements or particular internal restrictions.

I had to take the quick antigenic swab at the Venice airport, a negative COVID-19 test being the sine qua non condition for departure. I would like to clarify that the request for the buffer did not arise from conditions imposed by Mexico but from the transit at the Frankfurt airport. Since there are no direct flights from Venice and we had to transit in Europe, the buffer would have been necessary in any case.

Mexico City - Shutterstock.com

How was your arrival in Mexico?

There is no mandatory quarantine on entry in Mexico. For a couple of months, we did not even have to undergo a swab. The only required thing is a self-declaration form that certifies that you don't have any COVID-19 symptoms to be completed online.

Where are you currently living in Mexico and what brought you there?

In reality, I don't have a fixed destination, at least for the moment. I left Italy to see as much of the world as possible, so consider it an itinerant journey. First, I left Mexico City and went north to reach Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosì. After a few days, I left for Quintana Roo, where I will stay for a month in Tulum. After visiting Mexico far and wide, my goal is to find a place that makes me fall in love and stop there.

You also started a blog recently. Tell us about it.

Mia's journey. I thought about it just before leaving, intending to narrate my travels as a sort of personal diary. I write about everything that I find interesting. I do it for myself, for my family and friends, who can follow my journey from Italy, and for anyone who may find my stories interesting. I also write about practical issues to give ideas to those about to embark on a journey. For example, I wrote a small guide on how to choose travel insurance.

What are you up to currently?

I was looking for a change, trying to overturn my mental schemes. So currently, I'm exclusively dedicated to what I love: travel writing.

ooo.photography / Shutterstock.com

How does your typical day go?

In the morning, I get up very early, without alarm, following the natural rhythm of my body. I work on my computer until lunchtime, writing for the blog or reading about topics that interest me. Then in the afternoon I go out and explore, usually on foot, so I can better see and experience the city where I am. Sometimes, when I get the chance, I go to the gym.

I go to bed early in the evening when I feel tired. Since I've been here in Mexico, have I been out at night only once or twice, but that's fine. Compared to how I lived when I was in Italy, I listen more to myself and my body, following its needs. This means that I will experience Mexican nightlife when the right time comes.

What do you like the most about Mexico?

The desert, the large amount of uninhabited land, the decadent neighbourhoods, the magic of Chinatowns, the kindness of the people and their relaxed lifestyle. Their indifference to your being a tourist, in a good way -- they talk to you as if you were one of them. They don't pretend to know English, and they don't speak it; you have to adapt to them, not the other way around. I really appreciate this because it makes the trip more enjoyable.

Share your expat experience!

Contact us to be featured in the Interviews section.

Participate