Preamble: During
my visit to Australia, I learnt that my younger son Tarun had as housemates
youngsters who had come from other countries like Argentina, Mexico and Japan
on a student visa. Apart from studying, they supported themselves by taking up
part time jobs. My curiosity was aroused and I felt that an interview would be
an opportunity to know more about another country as also to understand the
circumstances under which they chose to come to Australia. In this regard, it
was a pleasure for me to interview Fernando Juan from
the United Mexican States.
Mexico is a country in the
southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States;
by the Pacific Ocean to the south and west; by Guatemala, Belize and the Caribbean
Sea to the south east and by the Gulf of Mexico to the east. It has a
dynamic industrial base, vast mineral resources, a wide-ranging service sector
and the world's largest population of Spanish speakers (Two and half times that
of Spain or Columbia). It's large economy and population, cultural influence
and steady democratization make Mexico a regional and middle power.
Rajeev Moothedath (RM): It is a pleasure to meet you
Fernando Juan and I am happy you agreed to our conversation.
Fernando Juan (FJ): Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you
too. Looking forward to this interaction.
RM: Mexico is known for its rich culture,
colonial architecture, ancient ruins and delicious cuisine. Could you tell us
in a little detail about the place where you were born?
FJ : I was born in my mother's
native place Guadalajara and lived here for 22 years of my life. It is a city
in western Mexico known for tequila (kind of heart break) and Mariachi (special
grouping of instruments) music. A historical place, our city is
dotted with colonial plazas including landmarks like the neoclassical Teatro
Degollado (Mexican Theatre) and cathedral with twin gold spires. The
famous murals of painter Jose' Clemente Orozco is housed in our
city.
RM: Wow! That is great. Your father also
hails from the same place?
FJ: No, my father is from the state of Michoacán which has the city of Morelia as
its capital. They met at the university
of Guadalajara where both of them had enrolled for a course in philosophy. Subsequently,
they married; we are three siblings. I have two older sisters. The eldest
sister Levier, is a doctor who treats cancer in children. My younger sister
Lizeth, is an architect.
RM : What did your parents do for
a living?
FJ: Both my parents ran a factory
together manufacturing uniforms for various companies and schools. It was doing
well in the beginning but later fell into financial difficulties. The money
problems led to marital problems and my parents divorced. My father left the
factory in mother's care and shifted to Culiacán where his family was traditionally
engaged in a hydraulic business. He is also presently associated with that
business.
RM: Your mother is running the factory
now?
FJ: Well, she ran it for some more
time. Later, when she lost two big customers and there was not enough work for
the employees, she shut the business and leased out the premises on rent. She
continued her education, got additional degrees and is now working as a manager
in a finance firm.
RM: What about your education? Did the
crisis in the family affect your future plans?
FJ: I had enrolled for a mechanical
engineering degree course but had to quit it mid-way due to the family
circumstances. I decided to go out and work for some time in Canada before
resuming my studies. In the meanwhile, before going to Canada, I went with
friends to San Francisco in USA for two months to check out the possibility of
working there. However, I did not like it there as in 2016, Donald Trump's
Government was in power in the US which was not favourable to immigrants.
RM: So, how long did you live in Canada? What
jobs did you do there?
FJ: I worked for about a year there and did
all kinds of odd jobs involving physical labour be it, concreting, carpentry,
dishwashing or cleaning windows in high scrapers. I had gone to Canada on a
tourist Visa. The Mexican community there helped me by getting me casual jobs
and ensuring that I got paid in cash.
RM: So how did you land up in
Australia?
FJ: It was around that time that someone told
my friend and I, that an agent if paid $1000 would get us a working visa in New
Zealand. This seemed a good opportunity, as we did not have the visa to
continue for long in Canada. I had saved around $10,000 by then. I gave money
to the agent, gave 4000 to the friend who wanted to stay a little longer in
Canada and returned to Mexico with the remaining $5000. The plan was to go to
New Zealand as and when we got the work visa.
RM: What did you do on your return to your
homeland?
FJ : I spent some time with my
mother and sisters and later some time in dad's place. Subsequently, I secured
a job as a bartender at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico's major tourist destination
famous for its luxurious hotels & resorts, golf courses, amazing tours and
adventures. Shortly thereafter, the work visa came for New Zealand and my
friend and I moved to that country.
RM: Did you like the nature of your job in
New Zealand?
FJ: Well, not really. The initial job I
got was with a parking lot contractor and the job was to paint white lines at
parking lots in Auckland. I didn't like it, particularly because it involved
walking long distances to the various parking lots. Subsequently, I moved to
doing farm work in the eastern side of the country. The work included picking
apples, peaching, planting water melons, harvesting corn etc. If you work in
the farming area, the work extensions are given for three months at a time.
Around this time the visa in New Zealand was due to expire.
RM: So, what did you do?
FJ: I contacted a friend in Australia
who was a student counsellor and sought his guidance. He offered to help with a
student visa. I came to Australia in May 2019 to do a short course of 10 months
in project management. At that time there was a big bush fire in Australia
resulting in closing down of highways. I could not take up the usual jobs to
support me. I therefore took up a job as a bartender in a casino. In the
meanwhile, Covid struck and there were restrictions on travel out of the
country. In a way, I got trapped in this place having spent around 3 1/2 years.
Now, there is a provision for issue of Covid visa of one and half to two years
to those who were in Australia when covid struck.
RM: What do you plan to do
next?
FJ: I hope to visit Mexico this year. I
am missing my family. My sister, Lizeth had given birth to a girl baby months
ago and I have not been able to meet my niece so far!
RM: You are presently 32 years old. In
the long run, what plans do you have for life?
FJ : I want to go back to the university. It
is high time that I specialized in mechanical engineering and focus on using
more of my brain cells and less of physical muscles. As the cost is higher in
Mexico, I would like to pursue the degree in a country like Lativia in Eastern
Europe.
I have some savings from my work
here in Australia. Further, my doctor sister has also promised to support
towards part of the costs. One problem is the war that is continuing in Europe
between Russia and Ukraine. I am hoping that peace will return soon. In the
meanwhile, I would like to return to Mexico and spend about a year's time
there.
RM: Good to see your clarity on the way
forward. Now, tell us more about what it is that you love about your country?
Tourists tend to describe Mexico as having a laid-back culture with genuinely
friendly people.
FJ: Travelling to various places have given
me a better perspective and understanding of my own country. I find that we are
more willing to share. Unlike countries like Australia which is more
individualistic, in Mexico people socialize a lot more and are willing to take
the time to get to know each other. Even when we work long hours, we do not
like to stress ourselves. When we have free time, we like to relax. There is no
sense of 'Hurry'.
RM: How do people relax during the week
ends? How about your parents?
FJ : Well, make merry with
grilling lot of meat, drinking lot of beer, lot of cultural activities &
music, going to the cities, watching movies, spend time in big parks, generally
chill...
Although my parents divorced,
neither of them remarried. My father is basically cool by nature. You can
rarely find him getting angry. Comparatively, mom tends to get stressed. She
relaxes by spending time with her grandchildren and with her pets, 3 dogs and 3
cats.
RM : Mexico is famous for its
choicest delicacies. Which Mexican food do you like the most?
FJ : Birria, a speciality
of the state of Jalisco is the dish that I love the most! It is a stew made of
goat/ lamb cooked in more than 10 spices that include chilli pepper, garlic, cumin,
bay leaves, thyme and cooked in low heat.
RM: In the long run, do you see yourself
living and settling in Mexico?
FJ : I would like to travel a lot
more along the length and breadth of my country. I would like to buy a
house in an area of monuments, avenues for art, music and reflecting lot of
culture.
RM: You have lived in a number of
countries, shared accommodation with house mates with varying backgrounds,
nationalities and culture. What are the challenges faced while sharing accommodation?
FJ : Well, one major
problem we face is the language if a commonly understood language is not
available. Food habits in terms of preparation and cleanliness in the
kitchen can be crazy. I have lived with Germans, French, Argentinians, Asians
etc. It is not as if anyone deliberately wants to annoy another. However,
differences in perspective in terms of cleanliness and orderliness can be an
issue
Cultural differences can be
another challenge. Mexicans are generally very polite and mild mannered. The
'direct' behaviour of a European may seem to us as 'brash' or 'rude'. The housemates
also work in different time schedules. Some 'work from home' while others work
'in shifts' and so on. At the end of the day though, we make it work.
RM: You have been exposed to various
cuisine. Our readers would like to know what is your favourite Indian
food?
FJ : I love spicy grilled chicken
or the chicken Tikka with Naan. A number of spices are used in the preparation
of Indian curry dishes. It reminds me of my own Mexican favourite dish-
Birria.
RM: What are the challenges faced by Mexico
today as a country?
FJ : Successive Governments have
encouraged and supported privatisation in a big way . It is happening like
crazy to the extent that even beaches are privatised. Lands are taken over for
building private golf courses. All this has increased the gap between the rich
and the poor and crime has also increased.
RM: There is a charge that Mexico is a den for cultivation and sale of
illegal drugs and that violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, sexual
assault and kidnapping are on the increase in the country. Your
comment?
FJ: It is a fact that the weather/ climate of Mexico is favourable
for the cultivation of various drug substances such as Marjuana, cocaine,
opium, heroin. There is a huge demand for such goods across the border in the
US who seek good quality material. They, from US also supply illegally huge
numbers of guns to the mafia in Mexico for facilitating the trade. There is
therefore a vicious cycle of drugs, guns and crime. Demand is coming from
Europe as well. So long as the Governments and the drug cartels continue
helping each other, solution to the problem cannot be achieved in the near
future.
RM: That was a very elaborate and extensive account of not only your
life but about your country Mexico as well. Thanks a lot Fernando for your time
and active engagement.
JC: Thank you. I also
thoroughly enjoyed this interaction.
