“Mexico has many traditions and I would like to share them with the Netherlands,” says Liz from Mexico. She came to the Netherlands in 2007 after meeting her current husband in Mexico. This Spanish man from Rotterdam seduced her in her homeland and they married in 2007. They decided to live in Rotterdam. “He had been living there for 18 years, so I came along to join his life,” she says. She had been to the Netherlands before, during her trip to Europe. “But living there is different anyway,” she says.
When she did start living there, her first impression was good. “The city has a nice personality; it is close to water, which I really like. And there are a lot of movements and people.” She is used to that from her hometown: Mexico City. As many as 9 million people live there.
Other cultures and parties
It is one of the six largest metropolitan cities in the world. But the city does not have as many cultures as Rotterdam. So that surprised Liz in a positive way. “I love the many cultures here. It’s fantastic. It gives a wealth of friendships and relationships. I love getting to know all the cultures of Rotterdam and all the festivities that go with them. I would like to be at all the parties,” she laughs. Even if it is a grey day, she makes it a party herself. “Sure, the weather is better in Mexico. But still, I don’t think the weather here is a problem, you just have to know how to deal with it. So put on colourfull clothes on grey days!”
Mexican flavour to the Netherlands
She also likes to bring all the Mexican traditions, celebrations and flavours to the Netherlands. “I cook Mexican every day. I work in the Mexican Kitchen in Rotterdam West. There, we also promote Mexican culture. Because I want to bring the best taste of Mexico to the Netherlands.”
Mexico has many traditions and celebrations. “Like Independence Day,” Liz explains. “And the Day of the Dead. This tradition we Mexicans pass on to other countries in the world where we live. And we can also combine it with other celebrations. Some holidays become a mix of different cultures, like Halloween. But the Day of the Dead is truly Mexican. We celebrate it in Mexican cuisine with special food, special make-up on our faces and altars. We also use the flower “the Afrikaantje”, which you also use in the Netherlands on King’s Day. This is how we honour our ancestors.”
Parties from other cultures
She therefore advises other newcomers to go to parties of different cultures a lot. “It is nice to be close to your culture, but also to get to know another culture. So go to parties. That’s the best way to integrate into Dutch culture. Then you feel part of society. You should also go to the central library; there you have many events, you can read a books of the Dutch language or your own language. You can also meet people from your own country there so you can explore the city together. The most important is to not stay at home but to mingle with other people.”