¡Bienvenidos!

Welcome to Kenny in Mexico!

I started this site just before my move to Mexico to document my experiences living in Mexico, though some of my articles document earlier visits or started as academic papers during my studies of pre-Hispanic and post-Conquest arts of Mexico during my studies at San Diego State University.

Many people’s knowledge of Mexico is limited to what they encountered on a beach vacation, but there’s so much more to Mexico than its beaches! I try to talk about it all, which is easy to do now that I live here and enjoy new experiences practically every day. I’ve traveled through many parts of Mexico from Baja California to Oaxaca, Jalisco to Quintana Roo, and many places in between. Along the way, I’ve made many friends who always welcome me warmly.

My favorite vacation spot is a mostly-Mexican vacation spot on the coast of Oaxaca where hardly anybody speaks English. It’s not the easiest place to get to, but the food is amazing, the people are friendly, and whenever I return I am welcomed and treated like family. It’s always worth the effort! Instead of saying no to and dismissing beach vendors, I strike up conversations with them and buy their products. Instead of haggling over the price, I just pay what they ask. Maybe I get ripped off now and then, but the payoff in good will for treating people with dignity and respect is priceless. Likewise, I treat the staff at hotels and restaurants with respect and kindness, neither being demanding nor failing to tip. I also strike up conversations with other vacationers, ask about their lives, their families, their passions and their interests. Often I get invited to join these new friends for day trips to nearby spots I would have otherwise missed.

I enjoyed such rich experiences during my travels that I moved to Mexico in 2018, settling in the state of México, where I teach English to Mexican professionals and travelers. This is the direct result of appeals by friends who begged me to teach them English. It was obvious to me that these friends would benefit tremendously learning just enough English to communicate better with tourists. Teaching English helped me qualify for a resident visa, so I am here legally working and contributing to the success of Mexico and its people. I have a wonderful life, rich in cultural experiences, enjoy working with my students, and learn something new almost every day.

Outside of work, I mostly speak Spanish. It might surprise you to find out that you don’t have to speak great Spanish to have a great time in Mexico. But you should try, and you should do so respectfully. Mexican people are generally very polite and will more than meet you halfway if you simply demonstrate some effort. And after living in Mexico for a while, my Spanish has improved tremendously. Speaking the language opens many doors in Mexico, so whether you’re vacationing or settling down, I recommend making the effort to use Spanish when you come to Mexico.

I truly believe that if you come to Mexico looking for trouble, you’ll surely find it. But if you come here with a smile and a gracious heart, you will having amazing experiences that you’ll remember fondly for the rest of your life. I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences here as much as I love sharing about them. So come along with me and enjoy everything this amazing country and its people have to offer.

¡Bienvenidos y buenaventura!