Mexico: Travel guide, visas and free housing · 2026

ENEmil Nabiullinleksality · Dec 3, 2022Read

Introduction. The story will be told from the perspective of 2 people. Let's meet: Emil and Vladimir. Our dream of going to America finally came true. Before this, it didn't work out due to COVID. This year was also under threat because the embassy in Moscow closed due to politics. Chapter 1. The Beginning One sunny June day, we were informed that there was an opportunity to get a visa in Mexico. Without thinking for a second, each of us agreed. And so, on July 3rd, our group of about 30 people met at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. I (Emil) flew to Moscow alone. We started getting to know each other and chatting at the airport. We successfully arrived in Mexico, in the resort city of Cancun. We were organized a transfer to a hotel that was a 5-minute walk from the Caribbean Sea. We ended up having a mini-vacation as well. After hanging out in Cancun for a couple of days, we flew to Mexico City. A very beautiful and large city. We stayed 10 minutes away from the US Embassy. We walked around the city, explored the sights, and brushed up on our Spanish. In parallel, we prepared for the interview. On July 7th, the first batch of people went to get their visas, and I (Emil) was in it. I stood in line for the consul, maximally focused, with a cool head. I approached the window, smiled, and said hello, and the dialogue began. He asked me 3 questions, and I answered them all in detail. I heard the coveted phrase: "Your visa is approved. Have a nice summer!". I was happy at that moment, realizing that years of waiting and the risks with Mexico were not in vain, onward to the dream! Out of our group of 30 people, every single one received a visa. In the evening, we went to celebrate our success. Chapter 2. America It so happened that I (Emil) flew to America alone, having found a good ticket. Vladimir and 2 other girls arrived the same day, just in the evening. My flight was Mexico City-Cancun-Denver. I landed at Denver airport, surrounded by Americans, everyone speaking English. I arrived alone to conquer America (ha-ha). I asked the locals how best to get to the city, took a train, and went. I got off at Union Station, near downtown. I flew with one backpack without suitcases, so I was traveling light. And so I was walking through the city center, looking around, and just smiling. But I wasn't walking for no reason; I was looking for accommodation options because our employer, Elitch Gardens, did not provide us with housing. We were very unlucky with the date because the MLB All-Star Game was taking place during those days, and all motels and hostels were booked. I walked through the entire center, called all possible options, but couldn't find anything. Evening came, and Vladimir and the girls arrived (from this moment on, the narrative will be from 2 people). Together we thought about what to do. We seriously considered staying overnight in a church with local homeless people, but the girls didn't want to. We went to a park, thinking maybe someone would offer us something, but they were closed, there weren't even guards. In the end, we found a motel, but all the rooms were taken. We agreed that they would give us a room, perhaps it was a staff room, and gave her cash. The next day we went to get settled at Elitch Gardens. We asked them about housing, but their options were all sold out. We left the park feeling sad. My supervisor, Ricardo, caught up with us. He found a motel for the first time, paid for it for us, and we agreed to pay him back after payday. Happy, we moved into the motel. At the entrance, we met a local named Caesar, chatted with him, and went for a walk, already without him. That day, four other guys from Russia were supposed to arrive. We met them at the station and went to sleep, 8 people in a 4-person room. Tight but cozy. The next day these guys moved out, and we went to hang out by the pool, where we met our good black friend Alonso. In the following days at this motel, we talked to him every day. Our work started

DUDaria Udalovaudalova.darya · Dec 8, 2019Read

Where I worked: sold Italian Ice at Family Kingdom Amusement Park Where I lived: Peggy Ann Motel I flew from New York airport with Spirit Airlines to Myrtle Beach airport. The flight was delayed by 2 hours. I didn't really enjoy flying with this airline, so if possible, use another one. The city airport is small and quiet. Stepping outside, I realized that I had accounted for the hot climate, but not for the nearly 100% humidity. Subtropics! Frequent rains, hurricanes. So, if you are going to Myrtle Beach, buy a good raincoat and waterproof shoes. As for public transport, I only saw two buses: one tourist bus - free, and another one running on a circular route (I didn't use either). I got to the motel by Uber - it was convenient and fast. Upon arrival at the motel, I had to wait a while for the owner to get the key and sign the contract. Therefore, agree on your arrival time with your landlord in advance. Tired after many hours of flying, I still found the strength to read the contract carefully and ask questions, but I didn't ask for a copy, which is very important to do! The contract may contain terms and rules of residence, the violation of which may result in you or your neighbors not getting the deposit back or being evicted. For anyone who hasn't lived in a dormitory, it will be stressful to share a room, a refrigerator, use a public bathroom, and encounter cockroaches, regardless of whether it's a private house or a motel. I lived in a student dormitory for 3 years and was absolutely calm about everything except cleaning. Try to agree with your neighbors on a schedule for taking out the trash and washing dishes. It's not always possible to reach an agreement with everyone. "Cultural difference" - that's how I explained my neighbors' behavior to myself, but there was also a big plus in this. The mentality of everyone who arrived is different. And yet, I was very lucky to spend the summer among guys from all over the world: China, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Ukraine, Mexico, Colombia, Lithuania, Jamaica, Jordan, Turkey, Poland, and Russia, of course. If I didn't talk to some of them closely, I learned about their culture from others, heard their language while passing by, and could already distinguish it by ear. The international company helped me chat more often in English about everyday topics, overcome the language barrier, try local dishes, learn new foreign words and traditions, and discover new countries while communicating. That is why, thanks to "Cultural difference", my summer was so memorable. In the first few days, you will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) and a bank card. I heard that the student center helps students with this, but I went everywhere myself. Walking from my hotel was long, about an hour, but I had time, and I didn't want to rent a bicycle because my workplace was very close to "home", and a taxi was expensive. Later, I borrowed a bicycle from friends. (When riding a bicycle in the urban environment of Myrtle Beach, you need to be careful - emergencies and falls are not uncommon. So, follow all safety measures). Since the Social Security Administration and the Bank of America office are nearby, you can do everything in one visit. Everything turned out to be simple; it was enough to ask the employees or visitors. To get a number, you had to get an electronic ticket, fill out a form that I asked the security guard for, and then give it and your passport to the employee at the window. At the bank, you had to queue up, telling the girl at the entrance the purpose of your visit, then one of the specialists invited me to the office and, following his instructions, I opened an account. After that, he went with me to the ATM, used my temporary card, and asked for a $25 deposit to put into the account. At the same time, they do not burn out, but are available, that is, opening a card is free. Why do you need a bank card? To cash your paychecks quickly and conveniently. In the States

ALAnastasiia Lebedevamylene-farmer96 · Nov 7, 2019Read

Sun, ocean, sunsets. The reason we came here. And as a bonus, we got a bit of Mexican fire. The desire to visit Mexico has only grown, so... There is an atmosphere here befitting a resort: a slow pace of life, smiling people, warm ocean air. Everything is set for you to relax and enjoy yourself. Leaving the airport, I stopped breathing, and tears welled up in my eyes from the beauty and delight. The sun sparkled on the blue surface, dozens of yachts stood in neat rows along the shore, and the trip promised to be wonderful. And it was. I visited several main attractions and walked endlessly. The pearl was Coronado. A small, wonderful, heavenly island. White scorching sand, beautiful houses, and expensive cars. An ideal combination to finally get into the ocean. And neither the cold water nor the off-season could stop me. I want to return here in 2 cases: with a great company for more fun, to fully immerse myself in the bright and hot nightlife to the sounds of Mexican songs. with family, to calmly enjoy the beauty and flavor of the city. Thank you, San Diego. It was warm, delicious, calm, and infinitely picturesque.

GSGaliyabanu Seytimovabanu1995 · Dec 12, 2017Read

Friends are so important in my life. I am a very friendly person, but it is so rare to meet people who are truly kindred spirits. This trip gave me kind, fun, and loyal friends from the USA, Turkey, Mexico, Belarus, and Serbia. I'll start with the Americans. As it turns out, they are truly a very sweet and responsive people. If a person offers you help with great enthusiasm, or smiles at you as you walk by... or even when someone shouts "hi" from across the street, even though they don't even know you, rest assured - they are American!!! I found a true American friend! And I know for sure that this is for life! As for the Belarusians and Serbs, they are already close in spirit to the Russian people, so making friends with them was as easy as pie. Mexicans are a very cheerful and positive people... who know how to enjoy life! And that is what I want to strive for... We are planning to visit our friends in Mexico soon. Spending weekends together... sunbathing on the beach, going shopping, trying American food, meeting new interesting people, practicing languages, traveling, watching sunrises and sunsets by the ocean... All this is immeasurable happiness... Especially when you have such friends with you!!! They are now always with me in life! And that means America hasn't gone anywhere...

ANAziz Nadjimutdinovanadjimutdinov · May 25, 2017Read

I apologize to everyone who still shows or has shown interest in my blogs. Unfortunately, I was very busy with my studies and couldn't find the time to sit down properly and write the continuation of my travels. Now, I finally have a little time for it. I hope there are still people here who are interested. I understand that this is a time when everyone is busy with visas and tickets, but you can relax a little, right? :) And a special thanks to Alexander Kozlov, who recently decided to remind me that it makes sense to write a continuation. In the end, I finally managed to get to that very Austin. For reference: Austin is the capital of the state of Texas, which is located, so to speak, in the lower part of the country in the middle belt. The average age of the residents is only 31, which means it is a truly interesting city for young people. How so? Well, even while driving into this city, I learned that it is the capital of live music. You can hear up to 200 different bands and performers there every day! You can feel the atmosphere of live music right from the plane's stairs. Well, not exactly from the stairs... A little further. Or rather, from the baggage claim, where there are unique guitar structures like these: Looking ahead, I want to note that in the USA, this is a very popular theme - to present, so to speak, one of the most important "values" of the city right at the airport. For example, in Vegas, a little later, I already encountered slot machines 5 meters from the plane gate. And these machines are located throughout the airport. But that's not what this is about now. Let me remind you that I was going to Austin to see my old friend Weldon, with whom we worked in the kitchen in Glacier for a season and a half. He was the one who met me under the rainy Texas sky in his brand-new car. Here, after being fired from that job, he managed to settle down: find a new job, a house, and even get married. Not bad, right? At that moment, I thought about the fact that besides the fact that those who read the blogs from the very beginning learn not only about my travels, but also about the fates of some important characters of this mini Work and Travel "saga". So, Weldon is just one of them. And he is doing well. Day one. After introducing me to my room, as well as his wife, he dragged me to try another major attraction. The fact is that Texas borders Mexico, so if you are too lazy to go to Mexico, you can drive to Texas, or to some nearby states, to try real Mexican food. I am a fan of this cuisine and have tried many dishes in different states: NY, Washington, Montana, but nothing compares to what was in Austin. Believe me. Weldon took me to a small cafe called Tamale House East, which looks like a typical cafe from a movie that would be somewhere in the middle of the desert, and you would probably be served by some Danny Trejo in a hat. Well, you get it, right? Well, see for yourself: The menu was so diverse that I saw some things for the first time and simply didn't know what they were, even though I am quite familiar with Mexican cuisine. Weldon advised me on some things and it turned out to be truly incredibly delicious: nachos, cheese sauce, tamales, quesadilla. In general, go to Texas and try it! After that, Weldon left, and I just started wandering around the neighborhood from that cafe, enjoying the city. I have always said that I prefer to travel alone. It is for such moments. At any moment, you can be left alone with yourself and do whatever you want, go wherever you want, etc. That is exactly what I did. Although the city is not a "high-rise" one, part of it is quite modern, but most of it is one- or two-story buildings, and with a very cool feature. What I really liked is that there are a lot of large-scale graffiti or arts (call it what you want). Where I walked, they were almost at every step and drawn very clearly and interestingly: Going a little further, I came out to 6th Street - this is one of the main adv

ZAZamira Abutalipzamira.abutalipova · Nov 30, 2015Read

The most interesting part of the program has arrived—travel! Back when we were still in our home country, my friend and I promised each other that we absolutely had to visit Miami Beach and swim in the ocean. Maybe it's cliché, but a dream is a dream. At the very beginning, we went to Chicago—the Windy City, the city of the mafia, the city of the first skyscrapers, and the theatrical capital of America! I truly fell in love with this city, and I don't know why, but it feels like my city! It's impossible to describe all the beauty of this place; it is unique with its skyscrapers and the wonderful view from the famous Willis Tower, the tallest building in the world! I will never forget how I went up to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor at a height of 412 meters and stood on the glass balcony looking out at this whole beautiful city—it was a truly unforgettable feeling! It was honestly very scary, even knowing the fact that the glass can withstand up to 4 tons of weight. I miss Chicago so much, and I didn't want to leave at all. The only thing that comforted me was that the next stop was sunny Miami Beach. It really is paradise on earth! You get the feeling that no one works there, and everyone is just relaxing, lying on the warm sand by the ocean, sipping their cocktails. There was unbearable heat, and we walked the streets in swimsuits and sarongs without feeling embarrassed because it was the norm there. In Miami, it felt like we had ended up in Mexico; Spanish and Mexican people walk the streets, Spanish music plays in cafes and restaurants, and all the signs are in English and Spanish. But I actually liked that, since we had worked in a Mexican restaurant all summer, I found something familiar in it. We rested with all our hearts and got very badly sunburned, so much so that we couldn't put on clothes afterward, and I won't even mention the backpack. After sunny Miami, New York followed. We got there by train; I don't recommend taking their trains—of course, it's convenient, but it was terribly cold. In New York, we found accommodation in advance, and we spent three days there. To be honest, in such a metropolis, we didn't have enough time to visit many places. All summer, we wanted to get to the largest city in the USA, New York, as quickly as possible. During those days, we walked across the famous Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, sat on the red benches in Times Square, and saw the one and only Lady Liberty. It is a very beautiful and great city, but unfortunately, we were disappointed to see a huge number of homeless people; this overcrowded city and the smell of stuffiness in the air made me sad. And when I saw a mountain of trash on the street by the road, I just couldn't believe my eyes that this was the very same New York I had strived so hard to get to, the one about which so many movies have been made and so many songs and poems written. But you know, there is nothing perfect in this world, and despite these minor disappointments, I am grateful to this city for the unforgettable sensations and memories. All the troubles and problems are forgotten the moment you walk the streets of Manhattan! Of course, it's worth visiting this city, but I wouldn't want to live there at all. That is how our unforgettable summer ended!

SRSergei Rubanserega24ruban · Nov 15, 2015Read

"Gazprom - dreams come true" ... in America © Everyone has dreams. And everyone who dreams of something looks forward to the moment when that dream becomes reality. It just so happened that my dreams started coming true nowhere else but in the USA. And now, for the details. I always wanted to ride a roller coaster. A real roller coaster. Where your breath is taken away, where it feels like you're about to fall out of your seat, where you get a view of the whole city at the highest point. And I did it! To actually end up in that seat, we had to stand in an hour-long line. During that time, we joked, recalled scenes from the movie "Final Destination," and were just plain bored. However, the wait was worth it. Those were three unforgettable minutes of screaming. Another long-held dream came true. I attended a football match. A cool one. Unforgettable. Between awesome teams. It was a game between PSG and Manchester United. (Who is it?) We covered the distance between Dells and Chicago, which felt like an eternity, almost missed the match, and met a cool family from Mexico, with whom we walked to the stadium. As soon as we went inside, we were literally swept up in an atmosphere of celebration and eternal fun. We didn't buy front-row tickets. Far from the front row. Like, really far from the front row, but even from there, we had a magnificent view of the field. We cheered when PSG scored, got upset when the Manchester players missed, and it didn't matter at all who won that day. The main thing was that we saw it with our own eyes. I love spicy food. And I was sure that someday, I would definitely try the spiciest sauce. It turned out that this also came true in the land of Franklin and Roosevelt. (Lucky man) Once, all the Dunkin' employees were invited to a Mexican restaurant called Jose’s. After agreeing on the day and time, they picked me up, and we headed to the restaurant. Upon arrival, the restaurant owner was pleasantly surprised by the number of guests (there were about 20 of us) and asked us to wait so he could combine tables and seat us all together. After an hour of waiting, we finally sat down, ordered food, and waited again. But this time, the wait turned out to be interesting. We noticed different sauces on the table. Having said that I had always dreamed of trying the spiciest sauce in the world, they didn't think twice before asking the waiter which of these sauces was the hottest. Pointing to a specific bottle, I immediately rushed to try it. And that was a big mistake. If Professor Emmett Brown could transport me back to that moment in his time machine, I would never say those words again. Nevertheless, I tried it. It was that awkward moment when you didn't intend to shed tears, but your body decides for you. It's impossible to describe the intensity of that sauce. It's like mixing the best action movies of the 90s together and serving them on a platter. (What are you talking about?) While I was writing about all this, I completely forgot that my most cherished dream had come true – to see America with my own eyes, to be in an American environment, to talk with Americans, to feel American freedom for myself, and finally, to understand the meaning of the American dream. To understand how much it differs from the America in movies or pictures. To find out why so many people want to come to this country so badly. Fortunately, I managed to see, be, talk, feel, understand, and learn. And following these desires, a new, hitherto unknown, and extremely exciting one appeared. The desire – to do it all over again.

SYSandugash Yelyubayevainfoguuu · Aug 14, 2015Read

The picture shown above was taken in Cambridge town near well-known Cambridge university press. As the UK is very popular with such historical places as Cambridge University. I understood only one thing, this is that London is actually tremendous city which needs more than a week in order to visit all three parts of London, precisely city, west, and east parts. The best days of my life I spent with keenly nice and helpful people in the academy. I enjoyed my studying whilst I was in the UK. It was extremely catching to share your experience and knowledge with the students from different countries and nationalities. In my group I was lucky to make friends from Wales, Canada, Arabic emirates, Iran, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Italy, Spain, France, Lithuania, Thailand, chili, and Mexico .