Interviewee: Miriam Gonzalez
Interviewer: Debbora Bermudez
Relationship: Aunt
Date: December 18, 2001

Young woman discovers a new life in Philadelphia

What is your full name?

Miriam Gonzalez

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

March 3, 1964

Where were you born?

I was born in a pueblo called Ponce in Puerto Rico. It is so nice there.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

I came when I was sixteen, or was it fifteen? No it was sixteen, I was sixteen.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

I left because of my mom. I loved her but she was always too strict.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I loved being able to wake up, and the first thing I did was go swimming. Because the beach was right there. It was like three, four minutes walk.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I chose Philadelphia because my big sister was here. I knew she would take care of me.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

I took a plane and I was so desperate to leave I didn't care what kind of plane. But if I could do it again I would have probably chosen a different company, you know airline.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My sister already had a place.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

I came by myself. But I didn't care because I was getting away.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

The thing I remember is my old house. It was pretty big but there were so many of us we barely fit.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

When I got here I got more freedom because my mother was still in Puerto Rico. It was real different because I didn't have to explain every little thing to my sister. She trusted me.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I didn't really expect anything. All I cared about was being free and getting to do what I want to do.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I came to be free. ha ha ha [laughs hysterically], I came to escape my mother.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

Here I have to learn how to dress very warm because the weather is not as hot, tropical.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left most of my family behind. There were nine of us so I think three of my siblings were here in Philadelphia and I was the fourth. Because I was the fourth oldest.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

The only problem was getting my mother to agree. I remember we argued about it for weeks. One day I told here I wasn't going to speak to her ever again. And you know what? I didn't. Not once. When she realized I wasn't joking she finally let me go.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I didn't have anything. Not a dime. All I had was a bag of airplane peanuts and a suitcase.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

It took me a while because once I got to Philly I didn't know what to do with myself. I wasn't familiar with all the partying and stuff, because I never got to do anything like that when I lived with my mother.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I think because I finally got a sense of independence. It was definitely worth it.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I was a junior in high school, in Puerto Rico. I wanted to go to college, but there was only one college over there. That was one of my arguments with my mom. I won that one.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, I don't really regret moving. I think it made me a stronger person. I did miss my family the whole time I was here, but there was no way I was moving back with my mom.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

If someone in my family was really sick. I mean if they told me they needed me there, I would be there.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, how did you get money?

I didn't get a job when I was sixteen because my sister wanted me to concentrate on my school work. My father sent me money from Puerto Rico, though.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Yes, I want to tell you about when I first got off the plane. I ran off the plane and fell to my knees on the floor and I started kissing the ground and I started crying and crying because I was so happy. Everybody was staring at me. I think they thought I was crazy. But I didn't care. The stewardess was trying to get me off the floor but I wouldn't let her, I sat there crying 'til my sister came. That's how your crazy Aunt got here.