To promote inclusivity and the beauty and wonder that is Westport, we at The Middle Way spoke with people from over the world who have decided to make Westport and the West of Ireland their home!
Below is our interview with Gigi from Mexico!
1. Where are you from?
I am from Mexico.
2. Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Gloria, but people call me Gigi.
I am a 33 and I have lived in London, Montreal, Vancouver, and Mexico.
I studied marketing and Entertainment Business at Vancouver Film School, but I worked in many different positions.
I like culture and creating art exhibitions, and this is an important reason why I am here in Ireland.
3. Why did you decide to come to the West of Ireland?
I needed to replace London with another place with activity.
A friend of mine told me about Galway and so I did some research and saw that Galway was the European Capital of Culture for 2020!
This incredible artistic background very much grabbed my attention!
4. What were your first impressions of the West Coast?
It is so interesting to see how the clouds can alter the atmosphere of the city in five minutes.
On the west coast, you can observe picturesque changes like you see in film scenes.
It is like having a new canvas every 10 minutes where a new painting will appear.
5. How long did it take for you to feel at home?
I arrived five months ago, and I felt like Ireland was a second home to me from the outset.
People are always so kind and neighbourly. I received such amazing help about important issues such as getting my first job and renting my house.
6. Have you desires to stay in Ireland for a long time?
I have plans to create a multidisciplinary exhibition with the subject of clouds and the way they interact with their surroundings.
I participated in the opening ceremony of Galway 2020.
I have plans to stay for another two years or so and get more involved in as many art projects as possible.
7. What do you love most about the West of Ireland?
I love the crazy sheep! haha. With their black face and crazy hair, they are very free and spontaneous, just like the Irish people! haha 😀
I have never experienced such a cheerful demeanour as the Irish.
8. What was most surprising about the West of Ireland?
The many styles of music Ireland has and how open people are! The willingness of people to have a genuine conversation with you without knowing you, I find incredible!
9. What did you find most interesting about the people of Ireland?
I feel comfortable when people smile at me.
This occurs in Ireland, but not in other places I have visited before.
Irish people are spontaneous and take a lot about funny stuff and jokes. But then Ireland is also a respectful and helpful society with foreigners.
10. How do you find or maintain balance in your life?
It is easy for me to find a life of balance because I love art!
This country is a cradle of talented artists.
I also like to practice sport, go to the gym and explore outside.
In that way, Ireland gives me great opportunities like cycling the Atlantic Green Way.
About the Author
Rubén Vega
Photographer
Rubén moved to the West of Ireland to improve his English and his photography.
Related Posts
Welcome to the West! Episode 04, Thais from France!
To promote inclusivity and the beauty and wonder that is Westport, we at The Middle Way spoke with people from over the world who have decided to make Westport and the West of Ireland their home!
Below is our interview with Thais from France!
1. Where are you from?
I am French from Bordeaux.
2. Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Thaïs. I am 23 years old. I studied art and I have a Masters in human resources.
I also love to play the piano.
When I finished my studies, I moved to Africa for three months to volunteer and help people.
When I came home I went to France to celebrate Christmas after which I flew to Ireland to meet people and try and improve my level of English.
3. Why did you decide to come to the West of Ireland?
A friend of mine came to Ireland last year and told me she loved it. She told me that if I wanted to improve my English that Galway was perfect for that and that it was also a fun and beautiful city.
4. What were your first impressions of the West Coast?
My first impressions was the landscapes were so beautiful and the sea being right next to the city was incredible.
It’s such a perfect city to live because it’s a big city, but not too big and because of where Galway is located, it makes it great for travel because you can get a bus to anywhere in Ireland so quickly.
The atmosphere and the people are so nice. The city and nature – its a perfect city for my style of life.
..the sea being right next to the city was incredible…
Thais
From France
5. How long did it take for you to feel at home?
To be honest, I don’t feel at home just yet because currently I am moving from hostel to hostel and job to job.
So I don’t feel at home just yet because I don’t have a fixed situation yet.
6. Have you desires to stay in Ireland for a long time?
Well I start a new job volunteering in a hostel for the next month. So I will see how that goes. I would like to stay longer and see Galway in the Summer, but we will see.
I couldn’t see myself living in Ireland forever. I do miss good weather. I don’t mind the rain a little but not for all my life. I need the sun 🙂
7. What do you love most about the West of Ireland?
I am ever never bored here. I can start a conversation at any moment with anyone and this I love.
I also love cycling so I often take my bicycle and just head off and explore.
Plus there are always cultural things on at the moment which is amazing.
8. What was most surprising about the West of Ireland?
The Irish people drink so much! ha. But this is fun.
The landscapes are also unique. Ireland has so many different landscapes for such a small country.
I visited the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara and many other places on the West Coast and was shocked to see the different landscapes of beauty.
9. What did you find most interesting about the people of Ireland?
Irish people are very open minded and they talk to different people very easily. I really love this and this is a real pleasure. I found it very easy to make new friends and felt good to be here very quickly. The Irish people are very warm.
About the Author
Rubén Vega
Photographer
Rubén moved to the West of Ireland to improve his English and his photography.
Related Posts
Welcome to the West Series
Welcome to the West! Episode 04, Thais from France!
Thais from Bordeaux, France 1. Where are you from? I am French from Bordeaux. 2. Tell us a little about yourselfMy name is Thaïs. I am 23 years old. I studied art and I have a Masters in human resources.I also love … Read More
Rubén Vega
Featured Post
Welcome to the West Series
Welcome to the West! Episode 03. Lüt from Germany!
Gigi from Mexico who loves Art! 1. Where are you from? I am from Dusseldorf, Germany. 2. Tell us a little about yourselfI am 35 years old, my name is Lüt.I’m a mathematician and work as process manager in a big company … Read More
Rubén Vega
Featured Post
- Welcome to the West! Episode 04, Thais from France! - March 5, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 03. Lüt from Germany! - March 4, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 2: Gigi from Mexico! - March 4, 2020
Welcome to the West! Episode 03. Lüt from Germany!
To promote inclusivity and the beauty and wonder that is Westport, we at The Middle Way spoke with people from over the world who have decided to make Westport and the West of Ireland their home!
Below is our interview with Lut from Germany!
1. Where are you from?
I am from Dusseldorf, Germany.
2. Tell us a little about yourself
I am 35 years old, my name is Lüt.
I’m a mathematician and work as process manager in a big company here in Galway.
I like to work in an analytical way, not as a typical mathematician.
That means I don’t like to be in a closed room with only my PC.
I want to work with people and manage is an analytical way.
You have to analyse how people want to work and find a unique way for everybody.
How they process information, how they communicate to each other and how they organise their work
This is what I like to do To bring structure to a complex environment.
My aim is to manage people to reach high productivity.
I also love to travel and see new countries and new people
I like to (like my job) watch people and see how they react and how they speak.
What are there thoughts and ideas. So this is one aspect I like – the people.
On the other hand, I like to be in the nature where I can be myself. I love nature. I love to see nature.
I don’t know how to explain, because it is really a wonder.
And here in the West of Ireland you have so many nice places everywhere.
So this unique combination of nature and people for me creates a special atmosphere here in the West of Ireland
3. Why did you decide to come to the West of Ireland?
For me nature has a certain power and I LOVE Game of Thrones! 🙂 So I wanted to live a place which had a powerful relationship with nature, if this makes sense.
4. What were your first impressions of the West Coast?
When I drove here from Dublin I took the long way and drove to Belfast and along the north coast till I reached the Atlantic Ocean and then drove down the coast of Ireland to Galway.
My first impressions were astonishing and I genuinely freaked out at the natural beauty of the region.
I genuinely freaked out at the natural beauty of the region…
Lut
From Germany
5. How long did it take for you to feel at home?
I felt very comfortable in Ireland once I arrived. I felt very much at home almost immediately.
6. Have you desires to stay in Ireland for a long time?
I like the toughness and wild beauty of the West of Ireland, but I would like to travel and explore Ireland more so I am hoping in the Summer I can see Ireland from different angles and places.
7. What do you love most about the West of Ireland?
The mixture of nature. The lakes and Atlantic ocean. The Irish people are lovely and introverted, kind and very nice and this I love.
8. What was most surprising about the West of Ireland?
I was surprised you guys drive on the left! This gave me a shock 🙂 Your food is amazing especially your porridge and I have become fond of a hearty Irish breakfast. The meat here in Ireland is very good.
9. What did you find most interesting about the people of Ireland?
The Irish people are very kind and gentle. I didn’t always think this because of the weather.
For example in the North of Germany, the people are very closed and not so friendly and so I thought maybe this would be similar. But, in Ireland it is the complete opposite. The people are very, very, very nice.
They are always asking, “Oh, how are you?” 🙂
In Germany this is not as normal. and not that common.
To say hello is okay but the Irish will ask “How are you” and this makes me always reflect and say, “Oh I’m fine, thank you. And you,?” And all of a sudden you are having another conversation.
This is really funny to me and the most surprising aspect of my life here in Ireland.
10. How do you maintain balance in your life?
For me it is about travelling.
I like to try and break my normal routine in life, go outside and get a new take on life. This is how I try to maintain balance.
So would you recommend the West of Ireland?
Oh, of course!
During the Summer you can go hiking or go to the Islands, you can take amazing road trips and visit other smaller towns and cities which are all so close as Ireland is so small but you don’t have too many people everywhere!
About the Author
Rubén Vega
Photographer
Rubén moved to the West of Ireland to improve his English and his photography.
Related Posts
Welcome to the West Series
Welcome to the West! Episode 04, Thais from France!
To promote inclusivity and the beauty and wonder that is Westport, we at The Middle Way spoke with people from over the world who have decided to make Westport and the West of Ireland their home! Below is our interview with … Read More
Rubén Vega
Featured Post
Welcome to the West Series
Welcome to the West! Episode 03. Lüt from Germany!
Gigi from Mexico who loves Art! 1. Where are you from? I am from Dusseldorf, Germany. 2. Tell us a little about yourselfI am 35 years old, my name is Lüt.I’m a mathematician and work as process manager in a big company … Read More
Rubén Vega
Featured Post
- Welcome to the West! Episode 04, Thais from France! - March 5, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 03. Lüt from Germany! - March 4, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 2: Gigi from Mexico! - March 4, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 04, Thais from France! - March 5, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 03. Lüt from Germany! - March 4, 2020
- Welcome to the West! Episode 2: Gigi from Mexico! - March 4, 2020
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