In this episode of the Recipe to the Road podcast I reflect on the last 14 months in Mexico and Central America. My partner Tom joins me as we unpack our highs and lows of the last year. We talk about preconceptions versus reality, an honest reflection on budget, what we’ve learned, the male and female experience, hitchhiking and our biggest lessons from the road. 

This is the last episode of season 1. Thank you all for listening and for being so lovely and encouraging.  

Latin America - preconceptions versus reality 

• Tom says it is way safer than what you hear. 

• On TV shows it seems very different to real life 

• Way more indigenous people and different culture than I’d have thought from what you see on TV and hear 

• Loads of dancing in Mexico but not so much in Central America- more marching bands 

Budget reflections: 

• Supermarkets are extortionate in CA, worse than Mexico which was also pricey, more than Ireland for some items

• You need more money than you might think travelling here 

• Tom notes that we were quite specific on where we stayed for wifi so that could have added to accommodation being expensive 

• We also note that because I ate vegan and sometimes we wanted to eat healthy that was more expensive too.

• Street food is the cheapest option if you don’t mind about diet. 

Biggest things we’ve realised  

• Maria: privilege is more than money. Growing up with opportunities and education is a huge privilege. 

• White privilege is a big thing- such as being treated differently at checkpoints and borders  

• Tom: People are generally really nice and decent. 

Experience as a woman versus a man 

• In some countries I experienced sexism and being treated differently to Tom. 

• People would address Tom and not me in conversations. 

• When I was alone men would shout “Hey baby” or whistle or make other sounds if they are with other men

• In Belize men would often approach me but it felt a lot more respectful. They were usually alone and it felt more like they put women on a pedestal rather than seeing us as something less than. 

• Male experience: nothing ever happened. Tom also notes that because he has a beard he is perceived as a bit rough or messy in Latin American countries. 

Hitchhiking

• Not something we planned but just sort of did it when it was convenient 

• It seemed really safe and the people were lovely. 

• It was a great way to practise Spanish because people who pick up hitchhikers are interested in chatting to you

Challenges we faced travelling that led to growth 

• For me: fear and germs 

• For Tom: Getting used to being unsettled. 

• As a couple: being together all the time and working together in the same small spaces 

Maria does quick fire round:

• Fav country - El Salvador

• Fav accom- Zephyr lodge in Lanquin, Guatemala

• Fav food - Mango y Chile Tacos in Bacalar 

• Fav memory - Valladolid pride 

Links and info

Tom and my other episodes together: Ep 12 & Ep 13

My fav accommodations: Zephyr Lodge, Yuri’s place & Co.404

The best taco: Mango y Chile

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