top of page

Week 1 - Black Expat Life P2

Writer's picture: V. WoodsV. Woods

After leaving the Airport, we made our way to the Galeria Plaza hotel. Since it was only 2:00 p.m. and check in time is at 3:00 p.m., we had time to get something to eat. The hotel is located inside of a Mall so there were several

eateries available. My son chose Chinese while I chose the finest of herb and spices, the famous KFC. After waiting an hour, the room wasn’t ready. The Front Desk employee upgraded my room because of my status with Expedia but that room wasn’t ready. The hotel staff was busy working on the jacuzzi in the room. As I waited I struck up a conversation with one of the Front Desk staff about Yanga. It just so happened that the staff member was a descendant of Yanga and was working on his family history. I showed him the interview with an Afro Mexican woman from a nearby town of Yanga and a brochure that contained the town’s history. He made copies of the brochure and got my email address. Our room was ready, a 2 room suite with 2 bathrooms with a jacuzzi. I didn’t book anything like that for our stay but appreciated the upgrade.

While waiting in line for some McDonald’s, I stuck up a conversation with an English speaking couple. It just so happened that they were from Oakland, CA! They were there for a wedding and had nothing but great things to say about Veracruz.


Day 2 - The Search for Housing


Through my visits I’ve made connections and built relationships with people from Veracruz, Cordoba, and Yanga. My Spanish Immersion tutor and tour guide, Guillermo (Memo) hooked me up with an English speaking Real Estate Agent, Ingrid. Before my arrival, I connected with her and she arranged for me to see two furnished condos for rent. The first was in Boca del Rio with the beach behind the building. The second was in Alvarado. Both with security guards at the entrance/exit and in close proximity to the Beach, restaurants, and shopping. The one in Alvarado was across the street from a Walmart.


Boca del Rio

Alvarado

Day 4 Walking Tour of Veracruz

Memo does Spanish Immersion Tours along with teaching Spanish and Veracruz history for those who want to learn. This was my second walking tour of Veracruz but this time I had my son with me. Our tour started in front of the Aquarium. From there Memo walks us through the historic sites of Veracruz: San Juan de Ulua, Museo Baluarte de Santiago and La Huaca, the oldest neighborhood in Veracruz which was created by people of African descent.

Baluarte de Santiago
Baluarte de Santiago
La Huaca
La Huaca
As part of our tour, we entered into Centro Cultural Atarazanas, a museum that currently has an exhibit of Women of African descent from Veracruz, Mexico and Colombia.
“Can I touch your hair?”

I wanted to take my son to the Malecon where the Veracruz letter sign is. As we approached the sign, there were a few people taking pictures. As we waited our turn, a woman comes up to me speaking Spanish and looking at my hair. Not understanding what she was saying, I asked Memo to translate. He said, “she is asking to touch your hair.” I instantly brought my hair to where she could touch and feel it. I didn’t have a problem with an older woman asking to touch my hair. I knew she had no ill intent but was just amazed by my hair and skin. My son who was shocked at all of this stood there smiling. The woman was with her family and then asked if I would take a picture with them. I did. After my son and I took our picture at the sign, they asked if my son would take a picture with them. They told him that his hair was beautiful. I have grown accustomed of people asking me to take pictures with them throughout the state of Veracruz. Some Mexicans know the history of the African in the state and throughout the country. They also know they are also of African descent. Mexico’s Second President was Afro Mexican and at one point in Veracruz history there were more African than Europeans here.


Week 2 Coming Up Next!


Want to support our journey?


Want to support us and our expat journey?


35 views2 comments

Recent Posts

See All

2 Comments


Kim
Jan 27

It was wonderful chatting with you!! Thank you for sharing your experience and these beautiful photos.

ENJOY!!

Edited
Like
V. Woods
V. Woods
Jan 27
Replying to

Thank you for reading!

Like

© 2018 V. Woods Media LLC Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page