Travel Blogger's Mexican Home Visit Reveals a Culture of Practicality Over Aesthetics

Travel blogger Marina Ershova, currently journeying through Mexico, recently shared a candid account of visiting a local home, noting the experience left her rethinking her own Russian housing norms. She published her observations on her personal blog on the Dzen platform.

Ershova's first surprise was the absence of an entryway; the front door opened directly into a living room, with a small kitchen visible immediately. A refrigerator essentially marked the divider between the main room and the shower. The bathroom was a single, compact space containing a shower, toilet, and a tiny sink.

The home did include a separate TV room, a bedroom, and even a walk-in closet. Out back, a small yard stood in stark contrast to the Russian ideal. "In Russia, my vegetable garden is the point of summer," Ershova wrote. "Here, it's a barren plot. You might put out some potted plants, but it looks like you've just moved your houseplants outside. That's it. No potatoes for winter."

She also noted the floors, entirely tiled, which she guessed were a practical choice for the heat and easy cleaning. But the windows struck her as most unusual: they were either shrouded in thick curtains or sealed shut. "Sitting by the window with coffee, watching life go by? No," Ershova explained. "Here, windows aren't about the view. They're about security and isolation. They usually have iron bars or blinds."

Her conclusion was that Mexican homes prioritize practicality and surviving the heat over the concept of coziness familiar in Russia. In a previous post, Ershova admitted to fears about personal safety in the country, citing the daily sight of missing persons posters on Mexican streets.