Gloria Kennedy

Story

I left my homeland to get married and start a new family in Australia.

The trip from Peru to Australia lasted about 20 hours. I travelled all by myself. My English was very basic. It was hard for me to understand in Immmigration when they asked me for my passport or where I was going.

I wasn’t scared of anything, I just wanted to see Michael after 2 years of relashionship by letters and phone calls.

My first impressions of Tasmania were I love the panoramic views but I could not see many people. I asked myself, I wonder where the people are? Maybe they are having a big party or an important meeting!

I was impressed by how everything looked so clean and tidy. The animals kept my attention, they all looked fat to me including the cats and dogs. I asked Michael, is your dog pregnant? He said no way she is too old for that.

Michael took me out for dinner and I was expenting to eat rice and hot meal, but I could only have roast beef or chicken. I didn’t know what was that 3 colours meal with a brown sauce on the top – I didn’t like it so I asked for some rice. I got a plain rice with salad and prawns. No way I said to myself but I ate it. I was hungry.

When I started to meet people it took me long time to get used to the names and surnames and the way they talked like “How are you going mate” or “Good Day mate” or “come for tea” – all new language for me.

Now after almost 17 years in Australia I have 2 boys and I run an oysters business with Michael. I can say that Australia is my second home. But I never will stop loving my beautiful country Peru.

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