“You should write a book, Joanna!” For a long time, my family and friends have urged me to tell my story. When newcomers to Mexico hear that I have lived in Yucatan for more than thirty years, they unfailingly ask, “What was it like then?” “What did your family say?” “How did you adapt?” They are so full of questions about what they see and sense all around them – they want someone to explain this place to them.

For the international community living in Mexico , every day is compelling and often magical. Solving one mystery seems to present another… To complicate matters, many situations seem to have solutions that are at odds with one another, and attempting to determine what is valid, and what is not – is folly. I believe those who’ve successfully adjusted to a new life in Yucatan , simply sit back, and let it unfold. They say there’s one constant: you’ll always be surprised!

When a person comes from a foreign land and doesn’t leave, the Yucatecans conclude, “Tomó agua de pozo” – “They drank water from the well”, which is to say, the person found sustenance and stayed. Despite modern-day admonitions about NEVER drinking the water ANYWHERE in Mexico, I indeed drank from a well in Yucatan and here I am! Although other countries and cultures are a big part of my life, Yucatan is where my thirst is best-quenched.

“Tomando Agua de Pozo” has four main chapters:

Joanna’s Story: This is my personal account of the unique people I’ve encountered; the whimsy I’ve enjoyed;  the miracles I’ve witnessed and the life-changing experiences I’ve had during my 30+ years living in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Jorge’s City: New residents in Yucatan often get very confused with the complex history of the area. There is such a long period of time to learn about and there are so many different indigenous cultures and languages to keep track of.  This chapter of the book gives a brief, chronological narrative of the past, with an eye towards understanding the present. To make things easier for the reader, a time-line is provided.

The Alphabet for the Neophyte in Mexico: Following an alphabetical format, this section gives anecdotal advice and aims to assist new residents to understand the different cultural and environmental norms. 

Other Women’s Stories: The twenty women who have contributed essays to this section are as diverse as their stories. Some of them are Yucatecans, some are Canadians or Americans – all of them are citizens of the world with an international focus. These women speak with wisdom that spans seven decades.

I situate my book in the state of Yucatan because this is where I live, but the experiences and content are transferable to life in any geographical region of Mexico .

In Merida, TOMANDO AGUA DE POZO – A Guide for the Neophyte Yucatecan can be purchased at “Casa Internacional Merida”, “Amate Books”, "Casa Carthewood " and at the “ Merida English Language Library ”

For further information contact: lifelonglearning@prodigy.net.mx

Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado

* For Other interesting works on  Mexico and Latin America Download  Joannas Recommended Reading List