The privilege of an American passport

"Expats" and "nomads" aren't asked to "wait their turn"

A passport.
(Image credit: Illustrated | eldadcarin/iStock, Nosyrevy/iStock)

I made an impulsive decision to spend last January living in Mexico City. As a freelance writer, I could arrange my schedule to take so much time away from the United States. As a U.S. citizen, my passport automatically allowed me to live in Mexico for up to six months as a tourist.

I bought my plane tickets two weeks before arriving and booked an Airbnb that about was around one third of my usual rent in the Bay Area. The night before I left, I packed my suitcase, worrying only about not forgetting my passport and laptop, the two things most essential to my visit.

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Amanda E. Machado

Amanda Machado is a writer and facilitator on issues of race, gender, and sexuality. She's written for The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Harper's Bazaar, Vox and several other publications. You can learn more at www.amandaemachado.com.