My most recent podcast episodes were with three different women from three different continents, and perhaps as geographically apart as you could find - Paraguay, Netherlands and Taiwan. They are similar in that they all have partners who had a Tasmanian connection or they met in Tasmania, and they are all women who are a bit adventurous and prepared to take a bit of a risk. However, in other ways they are every different, as you can imagine coming from such different environments.
Here are just a few shots I got from a Paraguayan cooking demonstration and lunch I experienced thanks to the lovely Patricia ( listen to her story below)
PATRICIA ( PARAGUAY)
Patricia's story starts on the dusty streets of Asuncion, in a neighbourhood that had more of rural than city feel and which was connected by a sense of community. Her and her sister moved to Chile she she was 11, and it was here she started up a variety of small enterprises to make money, including making ice cream to sell at school. This was perhaps a precursor to the food van business that she decided to set up in Hobart, and she was really passionate about sharing her love of Paraguayan and Latin American food culture.
NICO ( THE NETHERLANDS)
Nico originally came to Tasmania as a bit of a stowaway on the ferry and intended to pick cherries and do some walks. But, as has been a common theme in this podcast, she met someone and a holiday romance blossomed into a long-term relationship. Communication style also came, an important but often overlooked cultural difference. Dutch are known, amongst other Europeans, for their direct style which can come across as abrupt to Anglophones, but perhaps we can learn from the no-nonsense, clear communication style ?
AKI (TAIWAN)
Like Nico, Aki came to Tasmania as a working holiday maker. A couple of themes came out of our conversation. One was just the pressure of competition in Taiwanese society in school and the workplace, something it has in common with South Korea, Japan, Macau and Hong Kong amongst others. Living in Tasmania, Aki feels she has found a much more human work-life balance. The other theme that came out to me was Aki's willingness to get out of her comfort zone and broaden her horizons by going to live in a small town with few Asian people, to start a new career by studying cookery in Tasmania. I think Aki is a real example of the initiative, determination and adventurous spirit needed to settle succesfully in a place like Tasmania.
I hope you enjoy listening to these episodes and please don't forget to subscribe and follow on Spotify, Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts !