00:01
What's up, amazing people? This is YASASA RADIO by Akane and Minami.
In this radio, we are going to talk about random topics in Okinawan, Japanese, and English.
I think this is YASASA RADIO. We are Akane and Minami.
Here we are going to talk about random things in Okinawan, Japanese, and English.
Nice.
Thank you.
We have a guest today. He is from Venezuela and he has been living in Peru for almost 8 years.
He is Santiago Zambrano.
Hello.
What's up?
Thank you for inviting me.
Welcome to YASASA RADIO.
How have you been?
I've been fine. I've been good.
Actually, I prepared something in Japanese.
Really?
I'm not sure if it will make sense because I used Google Translator.
You never ask me, man.
Because I wanted to surprise you.
I am surprised.
I have no idea how this is going to sound, but I'll try my best.
Forgive me if I'm saying something really bad.
Go ahead.
Hello. Thank you for inviting me.
I'm honored to share what I've learned here with you.
Wow, it sounds so professional and very polite.
I'm so glad that you started with HAISAI.
Yeah.
It's Okinawan.
Yeah, I looked into it.
We exchanged our language.
Yeah, I made a mix of Okinawan with Japanese.
Thank you.
Okay, so this is the first time I introduced you to Akane.
Yes.
And Santiago.
Yes.
We got to be friends when we were in San Francisco.
Before, we went to the same school.
And since then, we've been getting in touch every year.
And I was talking to Santiago when we started doing the podcast.
And I wanted you to be on my show.
Finally, it came true.
Yeah, I was waiting.
Yeah, here in Okinawa, it's like 11.30 a.m.
And in Peru, it's like 9.30 p.m.
Yeah.
It's the first time to record in a different time zone for us.
Nice.
Nice to meet you, Santi.
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Nice to meet you, too.
Everyone calls you Santi.
Santi.
Yes, I guess most people call me Santi.
Some people call me Sam.
But yeah, Santi, it's like most of.
Santiago is a popular name in Latin?
Yeah, you can find some people call Santiago.
It's not like the most popular.
You know, there are other names.
I guess like Carlos, Juan, Jose, Luis are a little bit more common.
But Santiago, you can find it also in many countries.
Jose.
Jose.
Jose, like San Jose.
San Jose.
Yeah.
So, what do you do for a living right now?
Well, I'm a filmmaker.
I work making films, like mainly music videos.
I also make other kind of videos for social media, like fashion films.
Or I record also live events for artists, for musicians.
Sometimes I've made films for like restaurants, for their ads on Instagram,
kind of things like that.
But the things I do the most are music videos.
When did you start filming for the first time?
I guess I started like four years ago, I think, like around 2018.
Yeah, I was studying like audiovisual in an institute.
But before I had one year left before graduating, but I dropped out of college.
And I just started working with my brother and making films like very indie music videos,
you know, like on the street, working for rappers and trap artists.
And then like step by step, I was able to get other clients and other musicians.
And right now I'm working with music labels and it's kind of like growing little bit by little bit.
Yeah, like when we were even in San Francisco, like he always take the video by iPhone.
Oh, yeah.
And you know, you've been saying like, you do wanna filmmaking.
Oh, really?
Yeah.
And I've been seeing you on Instagram.
Okay, he's doing it like actually, and it's getting bigger.
Yeah, I have no idea how to do it.
But your like video quality, everything is getting, you know, better.
From my, you know, my beginner perspective, too.
Thank you.
We just watched a video of the Mexican restaurant on Instagram of yours.
06:02
Oh, you watched it? You watched the Mexican video?
Yeah, I really liked it.
We love Mexican food.
Yeah, I love Mexican food, too. It's really good.
How is Peruvian food? It's like a Mexican food?
It's really good. Peruvian food, it's really good.
I don't think it's like Mexican food.
Like Peru and Mexico have some things in common.
Like they both love spicy food, for example.
But it's different.
Like Peru is more like ceviche.
I don't know if you've tried ceviche.
I love ceviche.
I order ceviche every time I go to a Mexican restaurant, you know, right?
Like we're always together, so she knows.
Yeah, in Mexico, they also have ceviche, but Peruvians will get angry
if you say you're eating ceviche from Mexico
because it's like one of the biggest dishes from Peru
and they prepare it in a different way.
And it's really good, too, you know?
Do you cook like Mexican food usually at home?
I don't do much Mexican food at home.
I can prepare tacos and kind of things like that sometimes.
But yeah, like nachos, you know, easy stuff.
But it's not like I know that like the real Mexican recipes,
I don't know how to prepare, you know?
I do, I guess, like the Venezuelan version of what Mexican food is, you know?
How did you like Mexican food in the States?
I think it was really good.
I mean, I've been to Mexico, but I was in Cancun,
which is like a very touristy place.
So I don't think I really got the Mexican real experience.
So actually, I think the closest thing I've eaten close to Mexican food,
it's actually from the food from San Francisco,
from the Mexican neighborhoods.
And I think it was really good.
So like you've been in Peru for almost eight years now,
since 2015, 14?
Yeah, I think it was around, I don't even remember to be honest,
but I think it was like by the end of 2014 or beginning 2015.
Isn't it, is there any like a hard time to, you know,
adapt or get into the Peruvian community or, you know,
like socially, like in general, or you guys speak in the same language.
So, you know, there is not much of a cultural difference.
It's different, actually.
It's funny because in Latin America, most of countries speak Spanish.
So it's like, we all understand each other's culture.
09:00
In Latin America, it's pretty common that, I don't know,
a Mexican girl loves Argentinian rock band,
or maybe a Venezuelan love to watch Colombian TV drama,
or Peruvians listen to Venezuelan rap music.
So like, we all know each other's culture very well
because we speak the same language.
We know we have like, yeah,
I guess we understand how we perceive life, you know,
and we know like which words are from Mexico
or which slang words are from Argentina.
But at the same time, it's like everyone has their own way of doing things.
So we also have our own differences.
I think between Venezuela and Peru,
what I feel like the biggest difference is something
when it comes to how people interact socially.
I feel that Venezuelans are, I think, a little bit more open
because we're a Caribbean country.
We're right in front of the Caribbean Sea.
We have like a really, yeah, I guess tropical vibe, you know,
like we talk a lot and we are kind of loud
and people make fun all the time.
And we have like so many jokes.
I can't imagine.
And even though Peru also have like their spice,
they also have their vibe.
I think I perceive it from my Venezuelan eyes,
I perceive it a little bit more cold and more quiet,
like they respect more personal space.
So when I came here, sometimes I found hard to adapt
because sometimes I guess I wanted to interact
in a way that people around me wasn't doing, you know,
like people were more quiet.
And so sometimes I wanted to make a joke
and it's like, I didn't feel comfortable to do it in that place.
Like when I'm with a Venezuelan group here in Peru,
like I feel the vibe different, you know?
So I guess that's the main difference, you know,
something about the personal space and about how we speak.
Yeah, yeah.
It's kind of similar to Tokyo and Okinawa.
Like we talk, like
Okay, so in Venezuela,
Is it okay to make a joke to a stranger on the street?
Yeah, yeah, probably.
I mean, it's not that it's okay, but people just do it, you know,
and people understand that that's the way of doing things.
So some people might get upset if you make a joke about them,
like out of nowhere, but it's not a big deal, you know?
12:02
Like people are used to making fun and making jokes like 24-7.
So yeah, it's pretty common to have a conversation with a stranger
when you're at the grocery store or you're going to buy bread or something
and you are talking to the people that is in front of you in the line,
you know, you make friends with him.
And yeah, it's pretty.
Okay, if you compare with Japanese people, with Peruvian people,
but still like Peruvian people are open-minded than Japanese people, right?
Yeah, I guess so.
They're like Japanese.
Actually, Peru has one of the biggest Japanese immigrations
from all around the world.
I think it's the second or third country with the most Japanese immigrants.
So sometimes I feel that kind of vibe,
but I guess because Peru is at the end of the day,
it's a Latin American country.
They probably are more outgoing than the average Japanese, I guess, you know?
Okay.
So in Latin America, Venezuelans are the most open, you know,
how do you say like really social or like if you rank them?
If I rank them?
Because we have no idea if Latin America is Latin America.
We think in general, like everyone is open-minded.
Everyone is open for dancing.
Everyone is open for, you know, stick together, kissing the cheeks.
Every South American continent, the image to us is like that.
It's our stereotype, but it's like first time I know that
there's like a bit of difference between the countries.
Yeah, I mean, all Latinos are crazy for sure.
All Latinos like to dance and like to party.
Like there's no question about it.
But if I have to rank them, I would say that the first country,
the craziest would be Dominican Republic.
Oh, interesting.
I think that those are the craziest.
Dominican Republic and right after Dominican Republic,
I would put Venezuela, then Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico,
you know, like the Caribbean countries.
And then you finish all the Caribbean countries,
you start going South, you know, like Ecuador and Peru.
And then, well, Brazil also.
I skipped Brazil, but Brazil is also among the crazy ones.
All my Brazilian friends are very talkative, emotional,
and then they skip class when, you know, soccer.
When the soccer game.
Yeah, Brazilians are really cool.
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And I feel when I'm with Brazilians, I feel really close to them.
I feel they have a vibe.
I think Colombians and Brazilians.
I think Venezuela is mixed with Colombians and Brazilians and Cubans.
We're in the middle of all those countries.
So I think that's kind of our vibe, you know.
That's interesting, though.
Let me explain in Japanese.
Santiago is from Venezuela and is now in Peru,
but I've heard about the differences between the countries.
In the South, people from Latin America are all crazy,
and they're all open, and they're always dancing.
But among them, there are a lot of different countries,
and Dominicans are the craziest.
And then there's the Caribbean countries, Venezuela and Colombia,
and around there, Cuba.
And as they go down, I don't think they're all quiet.
I don't think they're quiet.
If you compare them to us, I think they're all crazy,
but in that continent, they're in that order.
I've heard.
In Peru, the number of Japanese immigrants is the highest in the world, right?
It's the second highest.
It's the second highest in the world,
so maybe the essence of Japanese is in the Arabian culture.
Then...
I want to hear about the Venezuela part of his story.
He was born and grew up in Venezuela and then moved to Peru.
How it was in Venezuela and the things that happened there.
What made your family move to Peru?
I think I need to explain a little bit of what's been going on in Venezuela.
I think it's something really complex that it would actually take, I guess,
weeks to really understand because it has many angles and sites
and different things that have happened in the recent years.
But I think what actually happened, the easiest way that I can explain,
it's like, imagine, I want to say the example of South Korea.
It's like Venezuela used to be a developed country since the 1920s
when oil was discovered.
It was around that time.
I'm not really sure the exact date, but around the 1920s, oil was discovered.
The Americans, the U.S., started to work on the oil companies in Venezuela
18:05
and Venezuela started having a lot of money and a lot of economy was growing.
Then from the 50s, 60s, 70s until the 90s, I think it was the best time
for Venezuelan culture.
We have so many immigrants from around the world, from Italy and Spain
and Portugal, Colombia and Ecuador, Germany, China, Lebanon, Syria,
Dominican Republic, Peru, so many countries started to go to Venezuela.
So Venezuela really got rich because of all those immigrants that started
to make a living in Venezuela and put part of their culture in the country.
So Venezuela got really diverse and really rich.
But then around the late 90s, we had a government.
It was really famous, Hugo Chavez.
He was like a really strong personality, kind of like Donald Trump.
He spoke differently and he behaved differently, really colloquial
for all the people to understand him.
He was really crazy, to say the least.
He started to change the law and the education system and things got worse
and worse and worse and worse because he basically took power and he
took advantage of all the money Venezuela was getting at that time.
And it was like Venezuela was South Korea with all these big companies
and all this music industry and TV dramas and all this media attention.
And then suddenly in a few years, it turned into North Korea, like that.
It's really crazy.
Suddenly it turned to North Korea.
I think that's seriously the best example.
And it was so fast because if you think about it, it took just like 10 years
to make that change.
So imagine that switch going from this developed country.
I mean, it's not like it was perfect.
We still had problems and they had poor existence.
It's not like everyone was rich.
It wasn't like that.
But the country, it was okay.
How old were you at the time?
I guess I was like five when that started.
But it was like slowly growing.
When I was a teenager, 12, 13, I remember that my parents and the people
around me started to complain, but still you could still live peacefully, kind of.
21:06
But then as the years went by, it got worse and worse and worse.
And everyone saw the transition.
It was obvious.
You would see it every year how things got dirtier and things got worse.
And suddenly you couldn't find food in the supermarket, like basic things,
like rice, coffee, toilet paper, things that are just basic
for any country.
Suddenly you couldn't find it in Venezuela and the crime went up.
So it was pretty normal that people would steal something from you
in the middle of the day to be kidnapped.
Actually, I was robbed in my own house.
I was kind of kidnapped.
We need to dig into the story, though.
Kidnapped part.
Kidnapped part.
Let's stop the kidnapped part before that.
It was a very popular country.
Like an economic powerhouse.
It was an economic powerhouse, but in the late 90s,
a new Chavez appeared.
He was kind of like Donald Trump.
The president.
He appeared and sold oil to the country.
The financial level of the people living there went down.
The crime rate went up.
Stealing became normal.
In the end, Santee was kidnapped.
Wait, wait.
The easiest example of Santee is that he suddenly became like North Korea.
He suddenly became like North Korea.
He lost everything.
He lost food.
It was a difficult time.
And one more thing.
He was kidnapped.
He was kidnapped.
Okay, tell me about it.
It's funny.
How did it happen?
How old were you?
It's a really long story.
I don't know if you want to go that deep.
I've never seen people laughing about the kidnap story.
24:02
He's making it as a joke.
But it's a serious experience.
It's a serious joke.
It was serious, but actually it was kind of funny.
Venezuelans are crazy.
Everything in Venezuela is kind of twisted.
People make everything...
I don't know how, I don't know why.
But it's something that is just like that from the Venezuelan culture.
Everything we do has some sort of humor in it.
Everything.
Politics, the economy, the teachers.
We don't take things seriously.
That's been the blessing and the curse of Venezuelan culture.
I like that culture.
Everything that happens, we take it as a joke.
We are really funny people.
But at the same time, I'm afraid.
I don't know if the country is going to get better any time soon.
Because people are just enjoying life.
Always.
We always find a way to smile.
It's like Okinawan vibes too.
So the kidnap story...
Do you want me to tell the kidnap story?
How did it happen at your home?
When you stayed with your family?
So the kidnapper came to your house?
I was staying with my brother inside my house.
My parents were traveling.
Actually, they were here in Peru looking for a place.
Because we already were thinking about moving.
A lot of people were moving to other countries.
That's something that started to be really common in Venezuela.
Even though we had a lot of immigrants.
These recent years, people started going back to their home countries.
Or looking for different places to live.
So my parents were looking for places in Peru.
I was staying with my brother.
We had a friend of my mom.
He sold fish.
He was going to be at home.
To get us the fish to prepare.
To cook.
So he called my brother.
He said, hey, I'm down here.
Can you please come and get the fish?
So he went down.
At the entrance, there were these thieves.
They were trying to rob another guy.
Another neighbor.
But when the elevator opened.
It was my brother that was there.
So they just grabbed him.
And they punched him with a gun.
And they said, take us to your apartment.
So he just pressed the button.
I was eating pasta.
27:01
And I was watching the World Cup.
And my brother went in the room.
He said, don't make any sound.
Don't get scared.
Was he calm or sweating?
I think he couldn't see.
It's so fast.
I don't really remember how it was.
I think he was serious.
We are pretty calm people.
I don't know if you think that.
Looking at me.
But comparing to the average Venezuelan.
We are pretty quiet.
And pretty introvert.
So he was calm.
And then the guy.
When he walked inside the kitchen.
There was this guy with the gun.
And two more came.
And they said, take us to your dad's bedroom.
And they started to take my phone.
And my wallet and my keys.
And they took me to their bedroom.
And they started opening everything.
Every cabinet and every door.
And trying to look for money.
It's not like we had any money around there.
Because they were trying to rob another guy.
That apparently had a lot of money.
They were looking for guns.
And they said, where are you hiding your gun?
We don't have any guns.
We don't use guns.
And they said to me.
If we find the gun.
We are going to kill you.
And then I started thinking.
Do my dad actually have a gun?
And I don't know.
Maybe I'm going to get killed.
I started to doubt myself.
But he didn't have a gun.
So they just took my PlayStation.
My cameras.
And my dad's watches.
And my mom's jewelry.
But we are not that wealthy.
It was just a few things.
And yeah.
They basically destroyed everything in the house.
And they were kind of crazy.
One of the guys took a shower.
I don't know why.
They are crazy.
What took a shower?
Yeah.
He took a shower.
I have no idea why.
That teeth.
Use your shower.
While they keep napping you.
Yeah.
One of them took a shower.
I have no idea.
That's the kind of things that happen.
They don't have a shower in their house, right?
No.
They probably have a shower.
I think they just did it.
I think it's understandable.
About what they are doing.
I think.
Yeah.
Because it's not like the American movies.
In the American movies.
30:01
Everything is so serious.
Chilling.
Kidnapping.
Venezuelan vibes kidnapping.
Is it common to happen at that time?
You know.
Somebody comes to your house.
And puts a gun on your head.
And take everything from the house.
And take a shower.
And eat food.
Yeah.
They open the fridge.
And they took food.
They took a candy I had.
Yeah.
It's pretty common in Venezuela nowadays.
I think.
It's pretty common.
When it happens in Japan.
We need to call the police.
And then we freak out.
If it happens.
Will it be on TV?
Yeah.
In Venezuela.
It wasn't like that.
In the past.
It started to be more common.
With every year.
When my dad was my age.
That kind of things didn't happen.
That's something new.
But then.
It was so fast.
The change.
My dad in Venezuela.
Had a story about being robbed.
Maybe not everyone has been kidnapped.
But everyone for sure.
Has been robbed.
Everyone has an experience.
About being robbed.
They took you to somewhere.
Kidnapping.
They took me to.
My dad's bedroom.
You were in your house.
Right?
Yeah.
You were in your house.
They said.
They were going to take us.
To somewhere.
But at the end of the day.
They tied me up.
So I couldn't move.
They tied me here.
And my feet.
And this knot.
With that knot.
I ended up like a pig.
Like this.
Yeah.
And my brother.
Tried to.
Make friends.
With him.
So they finished earlier.
They just.
He didn't want any trouble.
He said.
Here is my camera.
Take everything you want.
He tried to make things quicker.
He said.
Seriously.
I don't have a gun.
So the guys.
What?
So he gave the thief.
The weed.
Everything you could offer.
Yeah.
Just chill out.
Here is the things we have.
So the guys.
Started smoking weed.
Taking shower and smoking weed.
33:01
At your house.
You were relaxed.
Like this.
Like a pig.
But it was serious.
I was scared.
There was a point.
Where one of them.
Took his gun.
And put it in my head.
And he said.
Do you want to die?
At that time.
I actually believed it.
I was like.
Maybe.
Because even though.
It's funny how it sounds.
At the same time.
It's real.
It's scary at the same time.
It was like a.
Tragic comedy experience.
Let me explain in Japanese.
How did you.
Release you.
At the end.
They didn't release him.
He jumped with his butt.
Yeah.
I was.
Tied up.
And then they left.
On the second floor.
And they were.
In the other floor with my brother.
And so my brother.
Took them.
They said when they had.
Everything they wanted to.
All the phones at that time.
Were ringing.
Because we never took the fish.
So the guy.
The guy was waiting.
The guy was waiting for the fish.
So he called my mom.
And he said like hey.
Your son never came to take the fish.
What the fuck happened.
And got angry.
And my mom was like hey.
That's weird.
Because they said they were going to be there.
To cook the fish.
So something must be going on.
And we were not answering.
Because we were like this.
So they just.
Kept stealing things.
And my mom kept ringing.
And started calling my friends.
Like hey do you know where they are.
And everyone was calling.
But we were not answering.
So everyone got like scared.
And I had an uncle.
That used to live in another building.
But from his apartment.
You could see my apartment.
With binoculars.
So they called him.
And he put binoculars.
And he saw one of the guys.
Like wearing a Halloween mask.
I had from.
I had from San Francisco actually.
Like the pig.
From saw.
He was with the pig face.
And my uncle was like.
Looking at the guy.
And he was like what the fuck is going on.
You know.
And then.
I think at that time.
It's when they realized that.
We were kidnapped you know.
So they called the police.
36:01
And they called another uncle.
And like to go there.
And maybe do something.
But they got like really quiet.
Because they didn't want.
To alarm the neighborhood.
And let the thieves know that they were there.
So the police was downstairs.
But with the lights off.
And the thieves kind of got scared.
Because all these phones ringing.
So and they had time you know.
They took a shower.
So they spent a lot of time there.
So they said like hey it's time to move you know.
So they were going to the basement.
Because that's where.
They got into the building.
They went from the slums.
They went up.
And they got inside a fence.
And they entered the basement.
And from that they went to the apartment.
And they took my brother.
With all the luggage.
With all the things.
And they said like took us to the basement.
To get you in the car.
And travel.
But when they got to the basement.
They actually got in the fence.
And they started taking all the things there you know.
But my dad.
He was scared you know.
So he didn't know at that time.
Like my parents didn't know we were kidnapped.
Because they were in Peru.
So they were calling.
And we were not answering.
So they were not sure.
So my dad calls one of our neighbors.
From another apartment.
And he says like hey.
I'm calling my sons.
And they are not answering.
Can you go to the basement.
To check if they have the cars.
Parked in there.
Or if they leave.
Or if they are at home.
So the neighbor went down to the basement.
To get the cars.
And when she went down.
The guys were there with the luggage.
And they saw her.
And she saw them.
And she screamed.
And tried to go to the elevator.
But they took her.
And they said take us to your apartment.
So then they went back to the apartment.
Of the neighbor.
And they also started.
To steal all the things from her.
And they took her husband.
And she never answered.
My dad.
Because my dad called her.
To see if we were there.
With the cars.
And she never answered.
So he got more scared.
And he called another neighbor.
And he said like hey.
I called this girl.
Because my sons are not answering.
She said she was going to be at the basement.
To check the cars.
So she went to her apartment.
And she saw the cars.
And the car was going on.
So the other guy goes to her apartment.
And he knocks the door.
And the door opens.
And there's the guys.
And they took him too.
And then they hit him.
And things got pretty crazy.
Like all the apartments.
39:01
Suddenly started being robbed.
So I guess they understood.
That it was getting out of their hands.
That we just move.
And escape.
So at that time that's when they left.
And yeah.
That's how it ended up.
Story like a movie.
Yeah.
I was on my way home.
And.
My brother and I were at home.
And the fish.
The older brother.
He was at home.
And the fishmonger brought the fish home.
Right before going to bed.
So I went downstairs.
And it wasn't a fishmonger.
It was a robber.
And he stabbed me with a gun.
So I went home.
And he told me to be quiet.
So I was looking at a map or something.
And we were both tied up.
And all the watches in the house.
And all the money.
And all the Playstation.
We were all taken.
And.
There was a slum nearby.
And from there.
The robbers broke into the building.
The basement.
And he stabbed me with a gun.
It was pretty dangerous.
That's what happened.
And because we didn't catch any fish.
We kept getting calls from home.
Because the fishmonger was worried.
And the old man.
I don't know how he got in touch
with the old man who lived nearby.
But he used a telescope.
And when the old man
looked inside the Santiago family's house.
He found a mask.
Like the one in the movie.
A mask.
Like a pig mask.
He found the mask.
And.
I don't know.
And he was like, wow.
And when he woke up.
The other rooms were robbed.
But in the meantime.
The robber took a shower.
And he was sucking the weed.
The marijuana.
That his brother gave him.
He was sucking it.
It's a very sad story.
But he kept laughing.
Is that your culture?
Like you making a serious story.
Into a joke.
Definitely.
I think it's like a good coping mechanism.
To survive.
From like you know.
Severe experience.
Mentally healthy.
Yeah.
Like.
Do you guys have like a PTSD.
Or something.
Yeah.
Do you guys have like a PTSD.
Or something.
42:02
Or you guys you know.
Switch to the.
Making it to a funny story.
Yeah.
I think Venezuelans.
What you just said.
Is basically what.
Venezuelan culture is about.
Like we have many things you know.
That you can identify as a Venezuelan.
But I think the number one thing.
It's that.
When you make something serious.
Look like a joke.
I think that's like.
I love it.
The Venezuelan superpower.
Yeah.
You know you turn into something.
To your positive energy.
Like from anything.
Yeah.
I think the good thing about that.
Is that we take life.
Like light you know.
Like we don't take life so seriously.
And they're like.
Oh my job.
And my wife.
And my children.
And the government.
And the weather.
And you're like man.
You're alive you know.
You just be happy you know.
To be happy you just need.
To want to be happy you know.
It's in your mind.
You are the one that decides.
How you want to perceive your life.
And you find the happy side you know.
Of the thing.
And I like that.
About my culture.
But at the same time.
Having that way of seeing things.
Has also made Venezuelans.
Like I guess stuck.
In the situation we have.
Because people.
Doesn't have.
Like most people are just all about.
Party and having fun.
And going to the beach.
We are happy.
But at the same time.
We are not taking.
Things so seriously.
So we are not improving so much.
We are doing it.
But in a slow way I guess.
Because we are enjoying.
So if you are always happy.
Why would you need to change.
If you are happy you know.
What makes you happy?
Just aliving.
Or your family.
What is the definition of your happiness.
At the moment.
I mean for me.
I actually just.
Like that.
I have a family that loves me.
I have friends that love me.
I feel supported.
I don't feel alone.
I feel like.
I think there is always.
Going to be someone.
That I can count on.
And that is something.
I like to what we were saying about Venezuela.
That we can talk to strangers.
And make friends.
At the store.
Or at the mall.
Just randomly.
I think knowing.
45:00
That you have that openness.
To each other.
Makes you feel like you will always have a friend.
You don't have that sense.
That there is going to be a time.
Where you will be alone.
You will always have someone.
So I like that.
About my culture.
I like being alive.
Having healthy food.
Having nice weather.
Having clothes.
I am just happy.
You guys survive.
With that.
The way of thinking.
People get energetic.
Very friendly.
Open mind.
I think it is a very good culture.
Kind of similar to Okinawa.
Culture all mixed together.
And then.
Government problem.
And then.
Life getting hard.
But people are very peaceful.
I think.
The common that we have.
Is like.
We have a common.
Not the common.
But the situation that.
We are never rich in the country.
We have been experienced.
Fucked up.
War and everything.
Our grandparents lost everything.
At the time.
We kind of.
Raised together.
And we.
At the time.
We had nothing.
And we have like.
Making music.
And start dancing.
That is the fundamental.
The things we can do.
With.
When we don't have anything.
Like financially.
You know.
Life support.
I think the same.
And I think the same.
Because you like hip hop.
And we like hip hop.
We raise everyone together.
Be happy vibes.
It is the same.
I like that vibes.
I think so.
Venezuelans really love music.
We have a lot of good musicians.
And I think we have a lot of artists.
In general.
I think that is something.
That Venezuelans are really proud.
Everyone in Venezuela.
Has something with music.
Either you are a musician.
Or you are a singer.
Or you are a dancer.
But everyone is connected.
To music and to art.
And I think that is one of the ways.
We have to channel.
All the things we experience.
You know.
48:04
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
I was kidnapped.
Everyone in the family.
Because the country is dangerous.
They migrate to another country.
Japanese people can't do that.
In Japan.
I mean there are some.
But in Venezuela.
There are a lot of people from different countries.
Depending on the country and the people.
Migration story.
Kidnapping story.
Tears.
Dark story.
I think there are a lot of people like that.
It breaks everyone's heart.
But I like the joking style.
No matter how bad the situation is.
We have to laugh.
That's true.
Like every story.
We can express them.
In a different angle.
Like how you take it.
Is like from positive.
Funny way.
Other people might take.
As a serious.
Sad story.
That they've been through.
We always have a choice.
How to take.
The past experience.
Into your soul.
Or brain.
I like it a lot.
I think that's the secret of life.
Because life is hard.
We are not ignoring.
That you grow up.
And you get old.
You can get your heart broken.
You can have economic problems.
Because everyone around the world.
Even the most developed countries.
Have problems.
With depression.
And being alone.
I think something.
That Venezuelans can teach.
Other countries.
Is to take things.
With heart.
With a smile.
I think that's the best thing.
The best support.
That Venezuelans can give to the world.
It's not our oil.
Or our coffee.
Or chocolate.
I think it's that part of us.
I think people know it.
When I've been traveling to other countries.
And I see people.
That have met Venezuelans.
I feel that.
They already know that.
Because of the way they approach me.
And the things they say.
They already know.
51:00
That we are crazy happy people.
They already know.
You can tell.
Crazy happy people.
I like that word.
Before the recording.
You told me.
You love telling a story.
Making videos.
Is there a specific film.
That you are working on.
Right now?
Yes.
Right now.
I am making.
It's my third short film.
But I am taking it.
It's the first one.
I made a documentary.
When I was studying.
In college.
When I was studying film.
Living in Venezuela.
Going to other countries.
It was real.
A documentary.
I made a one minute short film.
In the pandemic.
When COVID came.
It was a short.
Little story.
About reconnecting.
To my grandmother.
It's kind of nice.
Sorry.
Right now.
I am making.
My first real short film.
It's a story.
About a Venezuelan girl.
Living in Peru.
Having all these.
Immigrant problems.
Finding money.
She loses her job.
In the middle of the pandemic.
She needs to pay her rent.
She tries to do different jobs.
To get the money.
It's been telling it.
I have been trying to tell it.
In that Venezuelan way.
It's like a tragic comedy.
The girl is always struggling.
Way bad.
She is going down.
In a funny way.
That's the story.
I am trying to develop.
Right now.
I just have the script.
And the team.
We haven't shot it yet.
It's a production.
We are looking for locations.
Looking for the money.
Looking for investors.
Making the shot list.
Preparing everything.
So we can actually.
Make it real.
Is it based on your story?
Based on your experience?
The female version of you?
Yeah.
When I read it.
Sometimes.
It's funny.
I am writing it.
I know there are some things.
I have experienced.
Mixed with things.
I just know.
People in Venezuela.
When they go to other countries.
Especially girls.
I decided.
The character was a girl.
54:00
In Spanish.
In Venezuela.
It's a feminine word.
In Venezuela.
It's always describing a girl.
When we talk about a country.
It's beautiful.
Because of the Spanish language.
We are talking about a girl.
I think a girl.
Is the best way.
To represent the country.
It's based.
On different experiences.
I have.
People I know.
The crazy thing.
Many of the things.
That are written.
I have been experiencing.
After I wrote it.
I just write the thing.
Then it happens.
I started to live it.
It's like a premonition.
Something like that.
It comes from my fear.
Of maybe not getting enough money.
And paying rent.
Then it suddenly starts to happen.
I get in that struggle.
It's crazy.
But it's also fun.
At the same time.
Now I understand it.
I know how to fight it.
If it happened to me.
I get very nervous.
Scared.
Depressed.
Maybe in that moment.
You experience it.
After a couple of years.
Like him.
You reach out.
To some point of enlightenment.
You reached enlightenment.
Isn't it amazing?
I don't think I am enlightenment.
But you are kind of aware.
Of something.
Important.
Of life.
That's why you can make it.
Tragic comedy.
It's not tragic.
You bring the funny element.
Into the serious story.
That's the Venezuelan spirit.
I think I already experienced.
Many.
Like being kidnapped.
And all those problems.
The blackouts.
Suddenly in Venezuela.
The lights go off.
You don't have electricity.
You don't have water.
You can steal your phone.
In the middle of the street.
How long was the blackout?
Like 5 days?
It depends on the city.
It depends on the time.
Sometimes a blackout can last.
A few hours.
There are cities in Venezuela.
That it lasts days.
Weeks.
A few days.
A few weeks.
It all goes out.
That's a big impact.
57:24
We have so much energy potential.
We have a sunny day.
We have a nice weather.
We can have tourism.
We have the Caribbean sea.
We have seafood.
There are so many ways.
That Venezuela has to get energy.
At the same time.
We are talking about a country.
That has blackouts.
It's a contradiction.
People in Venezuela.
It's been hard for us.
We know what our country has to offer.
We are kids.
We study about our culture.
We learn about our different states.
What they provide.
We grow up.
Thinking of all the things we can have.
We hit reality.
Why are we the biggest country?
With oil.
We don't have electricity.
We don't have electricity.
We don't have electricity.
We don't have electricity.
We don't have electricity.
It doesn't make sense.
Do you contact with your friends?
Still in Venezuela?
How are they doing now?
I don't know.
I think most of my friends.
Are living in other countries too.
Everybody moved to a different country after that.
Everyone spread.
If I think about my best friends.
One of them is in Chile.
Another one is in Spain.
I have one aunt in Ecuador.
I have another aunt in Miami.
I have another aunt in Spain.
I have friends in Germany.
I have friends in Italy.
Most of my friends are all over the world.
Of course, I also have many friends still in Venezuela.
My grandparents are in Venezuela.
I keep in touch with most of them.
For sure.
That's a great story.
You made friends all over the world.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
1:00:00
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
I made friends.
And now, I was like this.
And now, I was like this.
For us, Venezuela, it's really hard to leave this country.
And yet, at first, it was hard.
I didn't want to accept it.
But I...
I wanted to help my country from Venezuela.
country, you know, like my country needs me at this moment,
1:03:00
like it needs me at this time. And I'm like running away, you
know, like, like, how the country is gonna get better, if
I'm not there helping and doing things like making things
happen. But what I started to realize is like, there's other
ways that I can help my country. And I don't really have to be
experienced being kidnapped again, you know, like, there's
things I can do. And for example, filmmaking and telling
short stories, or this thing I'm doing right now talking to you
and sharing what the Venezuelan spirit is all about. I think
that's the what I found out that that I could do, you know,
outside of Venezuela. So now I don't feel like that frustrated.
I see it like I needed to have that experience because that has
made me who I am now, you know, now, the power I have, you know,
to tell these stories, I wouldn't be doing this if I
haven't had that experience to leave my country. Exactly. So
that's part of life. That's, that's why I always tell people
that if you feel like right now you're at a low point in your
life, you have to understand that that's part of life. And
how you learn from that moment, and how you use that experience
to go up again, it will make you even stronger, you know, so I
think life is like, like this, you know, like, like, there's
downs, but you will always go up every time more, you know,
because life is like a spiral, you know?
Yes, makes sense.
I think that in Japan,
I think it's better to watch this film,
Santi's, and learn from it.
What do you mean by learning?
Like, food crisis,
the economy level might go down, or
like, the government might control a lot of things and
do something about it, I don't know, but
the country's safety and
living standards might go down, and
someday everyone will have to go to a different country,
I feel like that's going to happen, and
when that happens,
the struggle,
like, how to maintain motivation,
how to adapt,
how to do culture,
including that,
I don't know, but
when that happens,
I think it's a really good experience to listen to the stories of people from countries where that happened.
That's why you're going to the election.
Yes.
So, well, Venezuela is a bit of an extreme example, but
Japan too,
like, now, there's only one political dilemma, one media dilemma,
1:06:00
and one gunfight,
and so, like, there's a lot of people who are going to be distracted by that,
but like, regardless of the economic situation,
like, who you are,
you should definitely think about it,
like, where you came from, who you were born from,
like, why you're living this life right now,
and if you're grateful for everything,
you'll be able to move towards learning,
and you'll be able to put that into your creativity,
and tell a story,
and you'll be able to use that experience in your entertainment,
and show it to everyone.
What a wonderful activity that is.
Yes.
It's like a radio comfort.
Radio comfort.
I'm so proud of you.
Yes.
Thank you.
I'm also proud of you.
I like that you're doing this podcast.
Yeah, it's been like one of my dreams came true.
Like, I knew it will come true, though,
but it's like working, we working together,
like, the first we met in the States was like,
we're just students getting chubby,
eating Chipotle, eating Indian curry every day,
partying every day, like, we're just a kid, you know?
Yeah.
Just have a lot of hope for our future,
and Santi has been done exactly what he told me,
like 10 years ago.
Hmm.
Wow.
You have to, you have to be proud.
Because the other day, I remembered that my first ever
music video was a video of you.
Do you remember?
Isn't it like a 10 second on iTunes video?
Yeah, do you remember?
I had like a little weird dance.
Yeah, you do the weird dance and I put hip hop and then it's like,
ah, it's this music video.
I think I still have it somewhere.
I still remember it.
Yeah.
That's the first music video I've ever made.
So you have to be proud to, you know, you're my first client.
Send me a commission.
I mean, I really want to meet you in person again,
like whenever you come to Japan or Okinawa,
like please stay for at least one month.
And we've been always talking about like,
we want to go to South America to visit Okinawa immigrants too.
And like you and other friends and, you know, doing this podcast too.
So I'm really excited for the near future, you know.
That I'm sure that will come because it's something that I always
think about, too.
I seriously, I love Japan culture and Okinawa.
1:09:02
And when I think about traveling the world, like the first country
that ever comes to my mind, it's always Japan.
And I'm sure that we'll meet in there.
And I'm going to drink the Okinawan beer
that I drank once in here in a Japanese festival.
Wow.
Do you like Japanese girl?
Yeah, I like Japanese culture, you know, so everything.
Like shy girl, like I don't know.
How do you take Japanese girl to you?
Like what's the image of Japanese girl to you?
What's the what?
Image.
Like the image.
Like stereotype of Japanese girl.
I think Latinos perceive Asians
and in general, like Japanese, like shy people, you know,
like like they are more introvert and they are more quiet.
But at the same time here in Latin America, there are so many people
that are crazy about Japanese culture, you know, like we even have a word
that it's Otaku, do you remember?
That in Latin America, there's like this, I guess, movement
or group of people that are so into Japan, Japanese culture,
and they do cosplay and they learn Japanese and all of that.
So I think we perceive Japanese people as shy.
But at the same time, we know like you guys like are kind of crazy
at the same time, you know, like you like to dress and to have fun
and have like so many weird things, you know, like like toys and things.
So I think the perception, it's it's really diverse.
You know, it's like quiet, but could be crazy at the same time.
Yeah, I think Japanese people express craziness in a different way,
like how they look like makeup.
But you guys are like inner open minded,
like, you know, talking to the strangers and every, you know, whatnot.
Yeah, it's different.
It's a different way of expressing, I think.
And it's like it's just like you said, I think Japan expresses more in a more
visual way, you know, and like and with the TV shows
and the robots and it's like you're like, what's going on in Japan?
You know, like there's so many things.
And I guess in Latin America, we don't have that.
So we just have ourselves being crazy, you know?
1:12:40
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Any preference for look?
I don't think so, like I...
You just see their inner beauty.
And yeah, I'm not gonna say like just the inner beauty,
because of course, like I look the looks,
but I don't think I have a specific look, you know,
like, I mean, I like girls with, you know, like black hair,
like straight black hair, but I also like curly hair.
I like different skin tones and different cultures,
you know, like I'm interested in Asians or Arab girls
or, I don't know, Indian girls or Latinas
or European girls and, you know, they can be blonde,
they could be brown, they could be black.
So I think I look more at the style, you know, like,
it's not about like the race,
it's more about the vibe they have, you know,
like how they dress and how they talk.
I think that speaks to me more than that specific
physical look, yeah.
I know exactly what you mean.
In Peru, how is in a daily life,
how you guys become into, you know,
partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, you guys start dating
and you guys saying like, will you be my girlfriend
or anyone like significant others is like a Japanese way
to, you know, make a commitment before doing anything.
It depends on the people,
but how the dating going in Latin America,
like, or you guys going to talk to them,
doing it and become a relationship
or like you guys start talking, talking like, you know,
1:15:00
planning.
For me, the people are very affectionated,
like very close together, kissing all the time.
How do you guys take a steps?
I think it depends on, like, are you asking about Peru,
about Latin America, about me?
You, okay, make it quick, like everything.
Okay, okay, let's start with me.
Okay.
I'm kind of shy, actually, you know, so I don't know.
When it comes to the relationship, you're shy.
Okay, I get it.
Yeah, I'm actually, I don't know,
I describe myself as an introvert, no?
Even though I'm talkative
and I can have a conversation sometimes,
I'm afraid to make the first step, you know,
like it has to be like, I really have to like the girl,
like to be so sure that I need to say something.
But if I don't really like the person,
like I would probably just end in conversation, you know,
like I won't take that step further.
But there's people in Latin America
that just go forward, you know, like,
hey, what are you doing?
You wanna make out?
You know, I'm not like that.
Yeah.
Okay, you wanna make out.
That's so turned off to me.
I think it depends on people.
Like in general, Venezuelans and Caribbean countries,
we are very talkative and very social and we love to dance.
So we have like a sexy culture, you know,
like a sensual culture.
And when you see Latin music videos, you know,
like reggaeton and, you know, like J Balvin and Bad Bunny
and all these Latin artists, you can get that vibe,
you know, that people are like really sexy vibes.
When it comes to Peru,
I think they're a little bit more quiet.
They still go after it, you know,
they still drink, they still party,
but maybe they take a little bit more time.
But also something I learned in San Francisco
is that when every culture drinks, everyone gets crazy.
You know, I think that's why like
all around the world people love to drink
because it's their way to express that.
So I think it depends on context.
If you go to a club in here, you will find,
you know, people crazy.
So that's what alcohol does.
Okay, so if there's someone you like
and you start talking to them and you start dating
or you say like, hey, I like you,
how do you take a step?
You need to have time to make sure, right?
Like how they feel.
1:18:00
Yeah, I mean, when it comes to me,
I take time and what I would do
if I really liked the person is say like,
yeah, I like you and do you want to go date with me?
And if we start dating and I really like the girl,
then I say like, hey, do you want to be my girlfriend?
And it's like a, kind of like a compromise.
Like now you won't be with any other one, you know?
But there's people that,
I think it's kind of becoming a trend in recent years,
like all around the world that every now it's more common
to have like, I don't know what's the name in English,
but like polygamy, you know?
Like more like open relationship, polyamory, yeah, polyamory.
I don't think it's polyamorous relationship.
I think a lot of people dating with several people.
Yeah, exactly.
You know, I don't think they fall in love with everyone,
but I think like people in the States,
like casually dating with multiple people,
but they are not like in relationship.
They are just dating,
but it's okay to have dating with you and you,
and it's open, you know?
Open relationship.
Well, I guess it's okay if you don't have a commitment.
But how do you make that line?
How do you make the line?
Yeah, that's the point though.
Like it's a commitment between two people.
Is it possible when you have in a relationship,
like wife and husband, or a girlfriend and boyfriend,
and even you have that relationship,
and then you will have another, like dating?
I think that's what we call open relationship.
Oh, yeah.
But I don't know.
Like before doing any commitment,
like a marriage or a boyfriend and girlfriend,
before deciding,
like just dating and having sex,
but just like, I like you,
it's okay to have multiple people,
I think that's the recent trend in the States.
I mean, it's a trend,
it's an image in the South.
It's been like that for Americans for a long time.
Like, are you dating anyone besides me?
Like, are we exclusive?
Then, okay, if we are exclusive,
then we will be my girlfriend or boyfriend.
I think that's what we think,
but in the end, it's different at the individual level.
Yeah.
We just get to the conclusion
that it depends on very person,
because like we're like from Okinawa,
we're like 100% Japanese and Okinawan,
but we've been dating with Americans a lot.
So it's easier for us to express our feeling in English
when it comes to the relationship,
like to me it is.
And I don't really care about like exact status
of between me and the person I like,
1:21:01
you know what I mean?
Like if you like me and I like you
and I'm really happy about that reality.
So if you wanna label our relationship
and if you're, you know, down with it,
and okay, I will call you my partner or anything,
but I don't really care about the South.
You don't get jealous?
But we're dating exclusively.
But I think the label of girlfriend and boyfriend
is very important in Japanese culture.
Yes, yes, yes.
I guess.
I'm talking about myself.
Yeah, I guess.
I would like to intervene, you know,
and speak in Japanese, but.
No, yeah.
I don't know, dating culture,
I think mix it up like so much,
in this era.
I mean, you've been in the States,
you've been in Venezuela, you've been in Peru,
then meanwhile you met a lot of people
from other different countries
and they each have a different background.
And even though like we're Japanese,
but not stereotypical Japanese,
so sometimes people get confused,
like what's your, you know.
Like how you see things, right?
Like what's your perspective?
So you never know until you ask,
you know, dig into the person,
like how do you take your dating life relationship,
you know.
But it's interesting to hear.
To be on the same page,
but we definitely use a different word,
you know.
Even if we have the same amount of feelings,
even if we take each other seriously,
there are people who feel at ease
with our status and label,
but there are also people who think
it's important to meet like this every day.
But I think like a lot of people really
have affectionate, do you know?
Like showing, you know, once you love someone
and that person loves you,
then you guys are like kissing together,
like sticking together,
like in-house, out of the house, right?
Right?
Yeah, yeah.
Or you're shy.
Yeah.
You're shy.
No, I mean, I think it depends.
Yeah, I think there's a point
where you're comfortable enough with that person.
And if you have a relationship,
if it's clear that it's a relationship,
then it's just open, you know?
Like, I mean, I think also it depends on people.
Like if I have a girlfriend,
I'm not gonna hide it, you know, from people.
So if we're on the street,
I will grab her hand and I could kiss her,
1:24:00
but it's not like if I'm having a dinner or something,
I will take, there's people that do that, you know?
Like they kiss right in front,
in the middle of their friends.
I don't like to do that, you know?
It's-
You're more like Japanese.
I think you're gonna fit in Japanese culture so easily.
Yeah.
I think it depends on the context, you know?
On your friends and the family and the situation
and the kind of relationship you have with the person.
Okay, Japanese people tend to think like
how people are comfortable with the couples.
They care about other-
Their reactions.
Their surroundings.
So, like when you are with your girlfriend
and then with your friends
and then Japanese people care about like,
how friends think,
how parents-
How other people take it.
Yeah.
In public place.
Yeah, I feel that by watching Japanese anime
and I haven't watched too many,
but I get that feel that like,
when you watch a Japanese story
and they have a love interest,
you can tell, you know?
In the way they portray and they tell that story
that it's like a big deal, you know?
Like, the girl touch the boy's hand
and it's like,
push!
And everything freeze.
And he's like,
click!
Click!
And he's like,
whoosh!
Whoosh!
So, I think-
It's like a cocoa.
I mean, most of my,
I guess my generation grew up watching Japanese anime,
you know, like Dragon Ball
and I haven't watched Naruto,
but it's something that many people watch
and Death Note and I don't know, Yu-Gi-Oh!
And so many Japanese animation
that I think we understand how Japanese culture might be,
you know?
By watching Pokemon and Digimon
and all of these Japanese cartoons.
Wow.
You knows a lot.
You know a lot.
You know a lot more than I do.
I don't know anything.
I have so many friends
that seriously know about Japanese animation,
that are what we call otakus, you know?
Yeah.
I have a lot of otaku friends that are in that level,
that they know Japanese words so well
and they know every anime
and they say Japanese words
when they're speaking Spanish
and we're like,
what the fuck are you doing?
We don't understand.
And it's a big deal.
Seriously.
In Latin America,
Japanese culture has gone really inside people's hearts,
you know?
Especially my generation and later generation.
I wanna see it in real life, you know?
1:27:01
To visit South America.
I always think about it
because it's like they're so in love with Japan,
but maybe they perceive Japan in a different way
because it's not like,
you are not like that, you know?
I think we're gonna break the old ideal Japanese image
if me and Akane come to South America.
We're like,
I think we can be the same level of craziness,
like dancing and start talking.
So we're never gonna be introverts.
So yeah, just advertise them in abnormal Japanese.
We're Okinawan, you know?
There is a song, Okinawa Latino,
from,
have Peruvian roots artist.
Alberto Siroma.
Yeah, it's a,
I think I sent you before,
but it's like,
there is even a song like,
we're Okinawan, but Latino.
Using like Latin sound,
but with our Okinawan traditional instrument
and everything together.
So like, I think we never take
Latin culture so far
than like European or American.
I think we are just one of the closest
like culture and like soul
in, you know,
opposite side of the world.
And I think that Latino culture and Okinawa
is really similar.
I really think so.
The tempo of music,
the way of dancing,
the look,
the people who have similar faces,
are many.
The skin color is similar,
the places are appropriate.
I think it's related to being in a warm place.
There were many immigrants.
We're so connected, I guess.
In so much level, you know?
Yeah, I think even though we are
apart from each other,
from miles away,
there's those countries that maybe have experienced
similar things in its story that,
or I think it's also like the weather, you know?
Like those kinds of things
change how people behave.
I think Venezuelans are that crazy
because of the nice weather, you know?
Because in Europe,
the winter is so hard that
I guess people had to work so much
and be like so cold.
And in Latin America,
especially in Venezuela,
you have everything you want, you know?
As I said,
you can plant everything you want
at any time of the day,
at any time of the year,
and it will grow.
So it's like easy.
It's easy for people to be okay.
So I think that's what made Venezuelans
1:30:02
be really relaxed, you know?
Like, we're okay.
Super.
That's a complex situation.
Yes.
So we're going to post Santiago's Instagram
or the homepage that we're working on
as a filmmaking.
So please check it
and do love him.
And all my friends from
We Met in San Francisco,
you guys got to listen to this podcast.
You guys got to watch on YouTube.
I'm going to upload it
maybe in a month.
I will try.
I think like,
we've been living in a different country
like so many years,
but I still, you know,
feel the connection,
like strong connection that we have.
You know, we've been in less than a year
in the same place,
but you know, it doesn't matter.
Like if we have a chemistry
or like a same value
and we are never going to lose,
you know, this bond,
I guess.
So I am really glad that we,
you know, could do this recording at this moment.
Hold on, we're fucked up right now.
And, but we're like so happy.
I mean, always so happy,
like with, you know, from nothing,
just get the sunlight
and see the ocean
and, you know, drinking, eating.
That's the, you know, enough.
I think it is the same to you.
Yeah. Yeah.
I hope you, you know, your friends,
your family,
say hi to them
1:33:00
and say hi that we are going to visit you guys
anytime soon.
And so do you.
Yes, please.
You're welcome.
Yeah. Let's,
can you take a promotion video of us?
Of course, of course.
Yes.
By Santiago.
What's the name of the label you have?
The, you mean the Zambro?
Yeah.
Zambros.
Yeah, Zambros.
Zambros.
Santiago, no.
How do you spell?
Zambros.
Well, it's like a combination of my last name,
Zambrano,
with bro, my brother.
Z-A-M-B-R-O.
Z-A-M-B-R-O.
Z-A-M-B-R-O-S.
Yes.
Zambros.
Santiago is on the same level as my brother,
so he has bro at the end.
Bros.
Okay.
I'll check it out.
Yeah.
Okay.
So thank you for coming to our show.
Thank you for taking your time.
I hope.
Thank you for inviting me.
Your happiness, my happiness,
we're, you know, gonna save the world.
Right?
Yes, for sure.
It was great talking to you.
I like you're doing this.
I think it's a wonderful purpose
you both are doing, having this podcast.
I think it's great.
And I hope you keep doing it
and get more worldwide attention, you know,
and get more people from overseas.
Country hopping.
To make the world a better place.
Invite guests.
Yes.
I'm looking forward to it.
I have, I found out another, another Japanese.
Oh, you have?
Well, I think it's Okinawan.
Oh, okay.
Let's go.
Oh.
Let's try it.
I don't know.
I hope I do it good again.
Don't be shy.
Was the first one good?
Was the first one good?
Yeah, it was great.
This one is shorter.
Okay.
See you again.
See you again.
Okay.
Okay.
Speak slowly again.
See you again.
See you again.
See you again.
See you again.
See you again.
What I said?
No, I think it was too difficult for us.
I think you said it right.
Yeah.
What does it mean?
Yeah.
What does it mean?
See you again.
See you again.
Yeah.
I mean, I watch,
Okinawan YouTube channel about learning Okinawan.
What's the meaning in English?
The guy said, it's like saying goodbye
in a relaxed, like really casual way,
like not formal way.
Okay.
The guy was kind of weird.
I'm going to send the link to you so you can...
1:36:00
Maybe he was a little bit crazy.
Yeah.
But yeah, that's impressive though.
Like, especially you digging into Okinawan, not Japanese.
It's like, makes us happy.
You know what to do.
Okay.
Nice.
Okay.
So, see you soon.
Soon.
Thanks.
Have a good day.
Gracias.
Te quiero mucho.
Enamorada de ti.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Saludos.
Saludos.
Take care.
Hasta mañana.
Hasta mañana.
Chao.
Bye-bye.
Nos vemos.
Arigato.
