Welcome to NZ

I returned to Monterrey, Mexico; my thoughts remained in that moment, the moment when Didi held my finger with her tiny hand and Luca said “tio Luis, bye tio Luis” (‘tio’ for ‘uncle’ in Spanish). Right before leaving the hospital room where Ana was recovering, Ana said “cancel your ticket you know you want to stay”. I hate women in general, they just put this kind of thoughts in your head but they don’t take responsibility for the actions you take after following their advice! Never mind.

Back in Mexico I told everyone about Laurence, Ana, the kids, New Zealand, sheep everywhere, Auckland, the funny accent, the All Blacks, the pies, driving on the wrong side of the road, the funny money they have, etc. I obviously posted pictures of my trip on my facebook page. My friends loved the pictures, and the girls asked “oh who is that lovely kid?” and I answered “this is Luca, he is my nephew”. “Oh you look so cute with the boy; it seems you are good with kids, that’s sooo cute”. Do you see the market opportunity here? Of course you do. Anyway...

There were a lot of things to do before turning my life into a state of unemployment, ambiguity, fragile migratory status and solitude. As I said, lots of things had to be done in order to leave properly my country. But hey, you are not here to read the story of another Mexican leaving Mexico. You are here to read how does it feel to babysit two babies in New Zealand while looking for a decent job, applying for a 2 years work permit and don’t get deported in the attempt.

Indeed, let’s jump all the way to the 19th of January 2010. Finally I arrived to Auckland, but this time Laurence wasn’t there waiting for me at the airport. Neither was Ana or the kids, or ... anyone. Just my dear friend Ranjhid Mohapatra, my taxi driver that day, was there for me, driving me all the way to 21 Thorp St. I imagined, on my way to Ana’s, how I’d be welcomed by these fantastic people. Hugs, smiling faces, a nice dinner, Luca all happy with the presents I brought him from the motherland, yes, I was day dreaming again. Finally I arrived to my destination, paid Ranjhid and walked to the front door. I heard some voices, but I was in trance, so didn’t really pay attention.


I knocked on the door twice; "come in", Ana’s voice was clear but anxious. I opened the door slowly, the welcoming I imagined turned into the must unpredictable / surreal scenario. First I saw Luca; covered in yogurt, screaming, crying, and looking at me like saying “what are you doing standing there? Don’t you see I’m crying about something critical in my life? Who are you anyway?” He had this dried booger line on his cheek, apparently he had a running nose and well, it was evident he wasn’t happy about it. I entered cautiously, then I heard Ana “Luis is that you?” when I saw her, oh my gosh, she was holding this beautiful baby girl in her arms. Looking at Didi again didn’t make me notice that Ana looked exhausted. There were things every where on the floor, yogurt spread on this glass table (I hate dried dairy products), the phone was ringing and the telly was on high volume, It was a war zone. Didi was crying, Luca was screaming, Ana was very close to passing out and I was jetlagged. This is how New Zealand welcomed me.