A Man Leaving His Birthplace And Finds He Likes Traveling

Interviewer: Anatasha Mendez
Interviewee: Neftaly Mendez
Date: October 28, 2000
Relationship: Father
Click on picture for full size
 

What is your full name?

Neftaly Mendez

What is your nationality?

Hispanic

What is your date of birth?

February 7, 1967.

Where were you born?

Vineland, NJ, Cumberland County.

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

I moved when I was 8 years old to Philly.

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

My younger brother was sick and needed to go to the hospital.

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

I liked where I lived because we use to go in the woods at night to play games.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Both my parents wanted to be close to their son.

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

I think we travel in a van.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My parents found a place in Philly, by the help of other family members.

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

I traveled with my parents, brothers and sister.

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

The one thing I remember is playing army games with my brothers.

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

I guess my life changed by meeting new people, etc.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

At the time I thought it was a good place to live.

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

I graduated from high school, and got a better job.

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

There is more violence today than it was back then.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

All my personal belongings such as toys, pictures.

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

We didn't have much problems when we got here.

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

My father was getting Social Security, and my mother was on welfare.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

We adapted all right.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

To get a better life, have better opportunities.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I got a pretty good education in NJ.

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

Yes, because I liked getting up in the morning, helped feed the chickens.

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

When my both kids move out.

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

I use to work in a grocery store, because my wife was pregnant.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I hope in the future things would be much better.