Santiago Barraza Lopez was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico's capital. Six years ago, he left his hometown to live in the US and UK. This summer, Santiago returned to visit family and friends after two years away, expecting the trip to evoke feelings of familiarity and nostalgia.

However, after only a few days, he found himself feeling like a stranger in the place he had called home throughout his childhood.

"The city has changed during my time away," Santiago said.

Mexico City is known for being vast, bustling, and a magnet for international tourists. But after six years, the city in Santiago's memory seemed to have a different appearance. Many areas had transformed; he did not even recognize some places.

Santiago Barraza Lopez feels lost visiting home after six years living abroad. Photo: BI

What surprised him was that despite having lived there, Santiago still had to ask others which establishments were still open, which had closed, or which destinations were currently popular.

"I was the one who left, yet I wanted the city to remain almost untouched, unchanged from when I departed," he said.

Fortunately, the family and friends Santiago reunited with still offered a sense of familiarity. Many of his friends had married, had children, changed jobs, or taken on new responsibilities. But sitting together, their conversations, interactions, and shared concerns made Santiago feel as if he had only been away for a few weeks.

This familiarity was both comforting and confusing.

Ultimately, Santiago realized that his feeling of estrangement stemmed not only from Mexico City's changes but also from himself.

His years living away from home had created a different life for him in London. He currently lives with his girlfriend, planning weekends together, sharing household chores, traveling, and building common routines.

Even small matters, like what to eat that day or how to spend a quiet evening, had become an integral part of their life together.

Upon returning to Mexico, Santiago realized how deeply he had become attached to his life in London. What he missed were not the landmarks or distinctive features of the UK, but the very ordinary details of daily life.

Mexico remains important to Santiago. His family, friends, and childhood memories are still there. But after six years, the center of his life had shifted elsewhere.

Previously, Santiago always thought of himself as someone living in London but "going home" to Mexico. This return trip made him realize that London is now his home.