“The Sound of the Birds is Undoubtedly Connected to Brisbane"

Arturo López comes from the same country that the writers Juan Rulfo, Carlos Fuentes or the international rock band Maná. Probably it’s enough to guess he’s from México, where the gastronomy is inevitably linked to chili, tortilla, guacamole and nachos. But it´s also a place well-known due to the beauty of its beaches, the hospitality of its inhabitants and three most popular drinks: beer, mezcal and tequila. It´s not a bad choice to make friends, but I promise it wasn’t necessary to do this interview.

Q. When did you start planning your trip to Australia?

A. The trip was’nt a new idea since I intended to travel to Australia 5 or 6 years ago. In that moment I was studying at university International Trade and after being graduated I held a Master in Logistics. For that reason I didn´t take my trip until now.

Q. On having United States so close to México, what boosted you to fly so far away from your hometown?

A. I could have decided United States to learn English, it only takes 8 hours by car, or Canada, where I have already been, but I was specially interested in living a different experience which I’m having in Australia. In particular, I chose Brisbane because its population size is closer to Ciudad de Querétaro, where I comes from, than Melbourne. I don´t have a keen interest in living in big cities.

Q. In what way the learning of English will be good in your daily life?

A. Currently English is highly demanded by companies. For instance, I held a bad position in my previous job because I wasn’t able to talk good English.   

Q. Each city has a caracteristic sound to be associated with. Which is the sound of Brisbane?

A. The sound of the birds is undoubtedly connected to Brisbane.

Q. What 5 adjectives define an Australian?

A. I would say they are tolerant, rude, honest, two-faced and sometimes agressive.

Q. Will you be able to suggest a restaurant to eat Mexican food?

A. I recommend Guzmán & Gómez, although it isn´t a traditional place to eat authentic Mexican food.

Q.What´s your favourite pastime?

A. Living in West End I love strolling along the river bank at night while I’m listening music and getting relaxed.

Q. Why would you stay in Australia?

A. I would stay here because this is a country where you can earn good money working a few hours. There is a radical contrast in comparation with México.

Q. What would you love doing before leaving this country?

A. My unresolved matters are to know more Australian people and visit big cities, such as Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns.

Q. Is Australia a country to come back?

A. Not for me, I´m more interested in knowing other countries.

A recommendation

If you want to know the traditional Mexican culture I recommend you to visit the old historical area of México, a unique place to be visited, where emerges the most modern part of the city mixed among historic buildings.  

"Australians are Quiet and Used to Living Relaxed"

Today, more than ever, people feel the need to travel overseas. To find a job, learn a second language (English in most of the cases) or get a degree is enough excuse to leave behind the hometown and venture to live a new experience in an unknown country.  František Časar, come from Humpolec, a small town of Czech Republic, is an example of it.

Q. What was the main reason to travel to Australia?

A. In first place I came to Brisbane to improve English, but additionally the chance of knowing Australian culture and people from different nationalities attracted me. 

Q. You could have chosen one of the big cities, Sydney or Melbourne. Why did you decide travel to Brisbane?

 A. One of my friends recommended to me Brisbane, and judging by my experience I can say this is a nice and strategic city, located near the beach, The Great Barrier Reef and other landscapes which deserve to be known.

Q. What place or places of Brisbane would you recommend to the newcomers?

A. It´s compulsory to visit Fortitude Valley, above all in the night because it´s very lively as a result of the crowd of people meet in the streets and clubs.

Q. What is the Australian's feature most pay your attention?

A. They are easygoing, quiet, and are used to living relaxed. 

Q. Now, we go back your mother town, Humpolec. Who's the person you most miss from your town?

A. My sister and my best friend.

Q. And what´s the meal you most miss?

A. Goulash is one of the most popular in my country. It mainly contains beef, onion and paprika.

Q. Why would you stay in Australia?

A. Because it´s a chance to find unusual job oportunities, the Australian economy is strong and the weather is very nice in comparation with Czech Republic.

Q.  Why would you leave Australia?

A. I oftenly feel homesick. Between Australia and Czech Republic there is a long distance.

Q. If you had to leave this country tomorrow what
you would like to do before?

A. I would like to know Melbourne, because I have already visited Sydney.

Q. And what would you miss most from here?

A. The accent of Australian and expressions such as "G’Day mate" or "Howaya?".

Q. In what way the learning of English is changing your life?

A. For me it´s being a big challenge to improve my English and now I feel more self-confident. It´s really helpful to find a job in countries where English is highly demanded.        

Q. What´s your next destination after Australia?

A. I will visit New Zeland. 

Q. In what country do you imagine yourself settled with your family?

A. In Czech Republic with my girlfriend Kača.

A recommendation

I would recommend Australian people to visit European countries 

because it’s a chance to know historic places with charm.