Marjorie Skouras’ love affair with Mexico started at a young age when she first visited her uncle in Baja California as a teenager. Her passion for the country only grew as she continued to visit regularly during her 20s. After studying pre-Columbian art at UCLA, Skouras began to consider relocating from California due to increasing complications, costs, and diminishing quality of life. In 2014, she visited Merida in the Yucatán and knew within 45 minutes that she wanted to live there. Skouras and her husband, Bruno Bardavid, purchased a 19th-century ruin for $210,000 and spent two years restoring it before officially moving to Merida in 2017.
Skouras’ ability to speak Spanish made the transition to life in Mexico easier for her and her husband, allowing them to connect more easily with the local community. Their first few years in Merida were described as magical, with the city attracting creative people from all over the world. While Skouras found the transition relatively easy, she struggled with Mexico’s approach to time, finding that appointments and schedules were often not followed strictly. Despite this, she appreciates the relaxed attitude towards time and the focus on living in the moment that she has encountered in Mexico.
In 2019, Skouras opened a boutique near her home to showcase a collection of vintage Mexican dresses and sell her own products. However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a shift in their plans, leading them to explore new opportunities to make a positive impact in their community. In 2021, Skouras and Bardavid launched the Kookix Music School in Dzemul, offering free music classes for children of all ages. The couple funded the project themselves, aiming to provide children with opportunities to explore music and potentially broaden their horizons through education and creativity.
As Skouras settled into life in Mexico, she applied for and obtained permanent residency, with plans to pursue Mexican citizenship. She attributes her deepening connections to the local community as a driving force behind their decision to remain in Mexico for the foreseeable future. Skouras also exhibited her collection of Mexican dresses at the Museo del Arte Popular de Yucatán in 2022, describing the experience as remarkable and magical. She continues to travel back to the US a few times a year but has no plans to return permanently, expressing a strong appreciation for the country and its people.
Skouras emphasizes that despite concerns about safety in Mexico, she has always felt completely safe while living there. While there are areas of the country with advisories against travel due to crime and kidnapping, Skouras has found peace and security in her community. She encourages others considering a move to Mexico to take the leap, highlighting the magic and delight she has found in the country. Skouras and Bardavid plan to stay in Mexico for the foreseeable future, deeply connected to the local communities and committed to making a positive impact through their music school and other projects.
