New York City-based mariachi singer Mireya Ramos and her band were on an international tour in New Zealand when the pandemic erupted.

Her bandmates flew home to the U.S. just as international travel shut down. But she stayed, and has been there ever since with partner and sound engineer Andy Averbuch.

"March 17 was the day after our last show, and we were supposed to go to the airport. About two, three hours before we were supposed to leave the hotel, my partner, Andy, who does our sound, he was like, 'Oh my God, we should just stay here. Things are terrible over there. It looks much better here. I think we should just kind of ride it out here,'" she told us via Zoom.

They've hunkered down in the coastal city of New Plymouth, and have done their best to continue to make music and stay connected despite the time difference and other challenges.

She does weekly Instagram and Facebook live sessions to stay connected to fans.

"One thing that I never thought that I would think about here is my own language, Spanish," Mireya said. "I speak Spanish at home with my parents, and I'm not hearing it everywhere like I heard in New York or some parts of United States. That makes me kind of sad and miss home a lot."

Ramos founded Flor de Toloache 12 years ago. The group has gone from busking in the subway to winning a Grammy, performing worldwide and even collaborating with John Legend.

New Zealand has been one of the most successful countries in keeping coronavirus infections and deaths to a minimum. Ramos wears a mask, but said the virus is not even a topic of conversation there.

The travel restrictions have ended, but Ramos and Averbuch don't have a place of their own now in New York, and are reluctant to stay with her parents during the pandemic. So they remain. Ramos is glad to be safe, and New Zealand has been welcoming of them and their music. But she hopes to come home soon.