Sometimes, it is hard to tell a story when everyone has just one perspective about a country or a place. As Colombians living in New Zealand and around the world, some of us must go through similar situations, which sometimes make us laugh, cry, or even feel offended. I will tell you a bit about it.
My story began when I decided to travel to New Zealand, over twelve thousand kilometres away from Colombia. I had always dreamt of meeting new people, learning about other cultures, and showcasing the best of myself and my homeland. As a Spanish speaker, I realized it would be challenging to have the opportunity to work in my field - journalism - in a country where English is the first language. However, I also knew I had to make a living and find a job that would allow me to continue my studies and pay the bills.
After much contemplation, I decided to work in something that, believe it or not, has much in common with journalism: hospitality. It was a hard decision to make. I always wondered how, after seven years of working in my country, writing articles, and working for one of the most influential newspapers in Colombia, I could overcome the fear of making a drastic change in my career and find a different job. I had to change the bright lights of the cameras for the candles in restaurants.
I always wondered how I would enjoy doing something that seemed simple and unrelated to journalism. Little did I know that the stories I used to write about as a journalist would still be present, and I would encounter them in my day-to-day life working as a waitress. Today, after four years of working in the hospitality sector, I think that it has not only enabled me to pay my bills but also been the best way to make memories and live my dream.
When a customer or a guest asks me where I am from, I proudly say, "From Colombia, a magical place just around the corner from New Zealand," they laugh. Then, the typical question came: "Do you do drugs? Do you have cocaine?". And this is what I mean by Colombians having to go through the same situations; we all get asked this when we tell people where we are from. I must admit that this question shocked me a lot, but now it's easier to talk about it. I have come to assume that if someone asks me that, it's because they have not made the effort to investigate more about my country and culture.
Unfortunately, many people do not have an idea who we are and how rich our culture is. For Colombians, talking about it means talking about our past, which was painful. I always say, "It's better to talk about everything that hurts to understand; after that, the things that have value." I would say it's better to showcase the skills and abilities that we have, so it's easier to answer that question by saying, "I have something better to present to you. I can make you feel welcomed, and happy."
As Colombians, we look after every one to be sure that they are fine. It's easy to talk about how our past in Colombia was painful, how so many people suffered from that drug called cocaine that everyone believes we're proud of. No! We don't like it. In my personal experience, I have never tried, and the compatriots who are close to me, whom I have asked the same question, said that they have not done it.
Among all the people who have asked me about Colombian cocaine, I have always received comments that it's a quality product, "It's the best one in the world." I cannot affirm that this is false or true, but when I hear the word quality, I can only refer to the meaning of this word. Quality makes an immense difference between cultures and countries: a quality that you can find in people and products that are more valuable than drugs. People who became stronger, even with our tough past.
As I mentioned, I think it's more important to remember what has more value than everything bad and hurts. In my work as a waitress, I have been able to hear many of those stories that are worth remembering. One night, a client mentioned that he works with a Colombian, and then he felt that he worked more than the owner. Probably, if you find a Colombian in your company, you will find out that this Colombian will be working sometimes with more commitment than even the owner; this person will feel fortunate for the chance to be there.
I believe that nothing is unmanageable for us. It could be stressful, and even when we believe that we don't deserve something, in the end, all of us would be willing to face the challenge. We love to be helpful, bring all our knowledge, and be glad to gain more experiences that make us improve ourselves. Colombia is a country that has so many people trying to show everyone that we are more than drugs. We are the people from this country who will never say we can't do it! We are people who are proud to be from there.
I invite you to live, share, and chat with a Colombian, eat Colombian food, and dance our folklore. An invitation that I would like to complete by sharing how Colombians showcase the best of themselves.
Culture, perseverance, resilience, and togetherness - I realized that talking about my country and its people doesn't mean defending everything good about them; understanding the different viewpoints and positions is also necessary. At the end of the day, it depends on everyone what they decide to choose - the erratic history about us that everyone can watch on Netflix, based on our past or the reality that we demonstrate with our actions day by day.
I want to end this article by encouraging you to know more about Colombia and investigate it further. After that, as I always tell my clients, take a moment and enjoy all that Colombia has to offer.
Andrea Nino Duarte
Colombian Journalist.
My first article, "Conversations Behind Tea Lights," was scheduled for publication in September 2020. However, due to the impact of Covid-19, the Magazine's inaugural issue was delayed until 2021.
"The Culture New Zealand" is an initiative of The Nepalese Cultural Centre NZ, a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting unity among diverse ethnic communities in Aotearoa. This organization has successfully orchestrated numerous events to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures thriving in New Zealand.
The 6th Nepalese Festival, held on September 24, 2022, was a vibrant showcase featuring more than 15 dance performances from various global groups. This event exemplified the cultural diversity and richness that thrives in New Zealand.
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