Gege, 28
Born in Merida, Venezuela
Came to Australia in February 2010
What is your occupation?
I am an interior architect at WMK Architecture. Coming from a strict migrant family, my parents always said I could do whatever I wanted to do. I’ve done a bit of urban design and landscape architecture but I really love what I do. It’s really nice to celebrate with your team after we’ve completed a design pack; you can visualise the work you have done. When the design has been implemented in the real world, it’s a special feeling.
In the future, I want to explore building options as I have a passion for sustainability; I have had this passion since I was in high school.
In my previous role at Aspects Studios, I helped design the upgrade to Castle Towers and the Western Sydney Airport metro line.
I studied a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at University of Technology Sydney.
Why did you come to Australia?
Upon Hugo Chavez’s election in 1998, my parents came to the conclusion that we had to leave as we no longer fitted into Venezuelan society. We didn’t fit into the social norms of the country.
We were also politically persecuted in the aftermath of the 2009 Venezuelan constitutional referendum, where those who voted “No” would be ineligible to get government jobs, which were the most desirable in a socialist economy.
I was also involved in an initiative called SOS Venezuela, which aimed to support pro-democracy protesters with food, medicines and methods of communication like phones. I was unable to renew my Venezuelan passport after I spoke out against the Venezuelan ambassador to Australia.
My grandmother followed an Indian guru called Prem Rawat around the world and she told our family that Australia was the best country she’d visited.
What do you like about Sydney?
I love the coast of Sydney, especially the ferries and beaches.
The society is also great. We have a culture of helping each other; I could reach out to so many people right now and they’d happily lend me a helping hand. In Venezuela, people are barely surviving so there’s no emotional capacity to build communities.
It’s also very progressive; I feel like it is quintessential for any global city to be cognizant of racial biases, gender biases etc. Multiculturalism curates an open-minded city and I love that so much.
What don’t you like about Sydney?
Everyone’s in a hurry and is cranky. There’s pressure with living in such a big and expensive city. They’re always on a mission, whether that’s going to work or getting stuff done. There’s an addiction to productivity per se. There’s more to life than ticking things off a mental checklist. I’ve learnt to prioritise my mental wellbeing over societal expectations.
There are too many massive developers in Sydney acting with impunity. The lockout laws deeply impacted Sydney’s nightlife, but somehow the casinos were exempt.
Sydney’s Central station refurbishment doesn’t make sense to me. Sure, it beautifies it but it doesn’t make it an active destination. Central Station in New York is a completely different experience.
What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?
Going back to the previous question, stop and smell the flowers. In particular, wattles.
People don’t realise how beautiful their culture is here in Australia. Look at how easy life is here. There’s a lot to be grateful for.
What languages do you speak?
Spanish, English
Right now I only speak Spanish around once a week to my parents. I also have been teaching my Lebanese partner Spanish.
I can sing some ZAZ songs in French but I do not know how to speak the language.
Teach us one word/phrase from your native language.
Bochinche
There is no equivalent word in English. I would describe it as a disruptive but enjoyable interaction with other people. It’s a situation where you’re having so much fun that it becomes disruptive.
It encapsulates Venezuelan culture perfectly because we are a loud and expressive culture.
What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?
Paradise Falls from the movie Up was based on Angel Falls in Venezuela, the tallest continuous waterfall in the world.
We have the cutest moth in the world. It is called a poodle moth, as it looks like a combination of a moth and a poodle.
We also have won the most number of beauty pageants in the world. Generally speaking, the women are just gorgeous.
Who is the most famous person in your native country?
Edgar Ramirez
He is my favourite actor because he is gorgeous. He’s been in Bright, Yes Day, Jungle Cruise and The Undoing.
He’s also an overachiever as he can speak Spanish, English, French, Italian and German fluently.
What is the best dish in your native country?
Arepa
It existed before the border was drawn between Colombia and Venezuela. We need to stop fighting about it and give credit to the indigenous people who actually invented the dish. We eat them at any time of the day; it’s like bread to us.
Back in my home country, I would eat them every day but here I only eat them once a fortnight.
Disclaimer: All posts are personal opinions and perspectives of the interviewees and are not a perfect representation of the whole country/experience.
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