My earliest memory is watching my mother washing clothes while we “helped her” putting the clothes on the line or fetching the water.
I grew up travelling Mexico with a circus that my parents were part of, watching mum and dad perform and sometimes even taking part with the animal acts.
I was taken from mum by my dad after they split up and remember feeling scared. He took us for six months and I felt sad staying with him and my stepmother. After my dad returned us to my mum, I felt safe and loved.
From my mother I inherited her friendliness and ability to look for the good in every situation or person. She always saw the bright side of things; even in tough situations, she would always find a way to provide for us. She taught me to treat everyone with respect, compassion and love and help those who need it; even if you have little to share and to always try to find a solution to any problem. From my Father, his sense of humour and joy of performing on or off stage.
A film that really influenced me as a kid is a Mexican film called “Ustedes los pobres” (You the poor people)- a film about a community in a poor area of Mexico similar to where I use to live, and identifying with it in so many ways, a reality of Mexico, that even when you’re poor, you surrounded by neighbours/friends that can lend a hand if you need it, and the discrimination of the “rich people” was similar too. It always made me think, If I was rich, I wouldn’t treat anyone in a bad way... I’m still not rich but consider rich by some of my family in Mexico, and I consider myself blessed and grateful to be where I am now, living in another country where you have so many opportunities and benefits. And even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it, many of us are treated well at work.
In primary school, when they made us dance for special occasions like Mother’s day, it woke up my love for dancing and performing, even though mum couldn’t afford the dresses or the classes. Year later, when I saw a Colombian folklore group dance in a small Latin Festival in London I thought; I can do that too with my Mexican folklore. A few years later I started the first Mexican Folklore Group in London.
I never even knew London existed, until I was 14, when my mum got married to a Scottish man and he got a job on the Guardian and he decided to move back to London with all the family. I remember being amazed by the double decker buses and Salt and vinegar crisps. Everyone at school liked different music, I was only able to listen to my music at home, in my room.
That’s when I learned what bullying was. They would call me names, probably swear but as I didn’t understand anything, I just laugh it off and would answer in Spanish. Making them angrier!
I was unable to do GCSEs due to my lack of English so I decided to leave school and learn office skills and computer studies instead. It was 1987, and I didn’t know any Mexicans in London, so I decided to start my first group online a few years later in the pages of MSN, calling it Mexicanos en Londres - and since then; I organised gathering, picnics, Christmas parties and so many things, and also started to help in the organisations of Folklore Groups, taking part in Parades like St Patricks Day Parade and New Years Day Parade in Central London.
The Para-Olympics 2012 in London changed my view of the world, seeing all those athletes compete even with different disabilities was very inspiring… One more reason not to give up or to moan if “I can’t do something” I can if I really try!!
I started as a volunteer learned how to manage a folklore group, teach choreography and manage presentations as I went along. It is the First Mexican Folklore Group, and we have over 18 years. It’s inspiring when kids want to try and dance with us after some presentations.When people comment how much they enjoyed the show/dances and made them feel closer to home. When people from other countries admire the outfits and to take photos with us. When people talk to me at an event and tell me so many things about my country or how much they would like to visit. When new generations come to us and want to learn the dances with us or even come and learn to do radio.
The hardest thing I've had to do is writing funding applications to pay for the costumes.I’m still learning how to make applications for funding not only for our costumes but for events, to showcase out folklore, art and music. Also, for the radio, we must buy our own equipment and is hard to get funding to start teaching the younger generation.
The most useful piece of advice I’ve been been given is not to give up…It doesn’t matter how tough life is, how hard the road ahead looks, don’t you stop, just keep going because you have someone next to you who needs you. This was after I split up from my ex-husband and my son was only three months old.
What gives me joy: Being able to take part in different events in London, dance with biggest bands like Los Tigres del Norte, and going as far as Bahrain to perform. And with the radio, being able to interview people from the community, and big names or cover events, like Mana, Café Tacvba concerts and so much more. And being a presenter – MC - in events like Day of the Dead in Camden Market. It gives me great pleasure to bring my Mexican culture to different events, and to do my radio show every week, knowing I have lots of people from different countries listening.
What I find annoying: people that complaint about everything and anything without even given things a chance or giving it a go. I’ve learned over time to be being confident, believing that I can do so many things and trusting myself that I CAN DO IT.
The kindest thing someone has done for me is taking me home after the festival of Latino Life, I was tired, hurt my leg a few days before but still managed to do the parade and perform, when we finished, I tried to rest for a bit but realised my leg was getting green and purple, some of my colleagues from the group left and I stayed cause I wanted to see Tromborange, but the pain was getting stronger, one of my friends offered to take me home with my 2 suitcases full of costumes and helped me take them upstairs.. He also missed the concert, but I really appreciate it his help and generous offer to bring me home. I stayed at home 5 days unable to walk.
Best thing that's happened to me in London is being recognised by the Mexican Embassy for my work in the community in London in a Mexican Independence Celebration in the Victoria & Albert Museum. I was given the Othli Award, given by the Institute of Mexicans Living Abroad.
My perfect Sunday in London…is Having a family Sunday Roast mixed with some Mexican dishes after taking part in a Festival like Latino Life and sharing my moments with them.
Top favourite places in London are Camden Town, Southbank, Hampstead Heath and Mestizo Restaurant
When I feel homesick I prepare a nice Mexican meal, watch a Mexican movie or listen to some Mexican music and sing along. And sometimes I go to a Mexican restaurant and eat something delicious.
If I didn’t live in London, I'd live Edinburgh… is a place with history and lots nature.
My favourite word in English...Cherish – is beautiful.
The word I most dislike in English...ny swearing word – don’t like them, never used them.
