Interviewee: Isabel Velez
Interviewer: Jessica Narvaez
Relationship: Grandmother
Date: April 10, 2001

A lady who worshipped her husband and lived a fortunate life

What is your full name?

Isabel Velez

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

December 10, 1940

Where were you born?

Puerto Rico

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

In 1982.

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

To come and live with my husband.

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

I liked everything about my home.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because my husband lived here.

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

I came by car from New York. There is no way to change it.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My husband came down and found a house and then I came after him.

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

With my husband.

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

What I remember is my family because my whole family lived in my home town.

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

It changed my life because once I came to Philadelphia I started living a better life. The differences were that I had many family problems and when I came to Philly it changed. The two places were not much of a difference.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected to see a cleaner city but I was disappointed.

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

I came here because I married the man who lives in Philadelphia and I had to be with him.

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

To me, it is the same, the same old place.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left a better home and I came to a more dirty place.

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

None at all.

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

I had very little money and my husband worked for it.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

Very well.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I think it was worth while. It changed my life a lot.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I went to eleventh grade, as far as eleventh grade.

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

No, I do not regret moving. Everything is fine over here.

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

Separating from my husband.

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

My husband.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No, not really, that is it.