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| Nereyda Bean inside a regular flight to Cyprus |
I'm Nereyda Bean. I was born in Dali, a little town in Cyprus, an
incredible Mediterranean country which is a cultural border between Occident
and Orient. It's not easy living in an island and the most part of its
inhabitants emigrate to search a better future. During this travel with my
family, I have discovered my ancestors came from Dominican Republic to Cyprus,
from island to island. I'm very hard worker and a little shy the most common
characteristics of islanders.
-Good morning, Nereyda Bean, and thanks to attend us.
-Thanks. It's an honour.
-Well, to start with our interview, I would like to ask you if you can
explain something about your job.
-Yes, of course. I'm a flying attendant, a person who attends people in
a plane and take care of them. It's an amazing job that I love although it's
sometimes a little horrible.
-Why was horrible?
-Because I'm scared to fly. The most terrible moments for me are when
the plane is lifting off or landing. After these movements, I can work without
any kind of problem because the plane is stabilized.
-How have you got over these fears?
-With a lot of effort and being conscious that you can be stronger than
your own fears. Everybody has his/her demons in her/his life but we must fight
against them or learn to live with them. There isn't another option.
-What do you think people know about flight attendants?
-Well, some years ago it was one of the best jobs you could have. The
salary was excellent, the breaks allowed you to visit some places and it was a
job with high levels of reputation. With the arrival of low cost companies all
has changed. Salaries have decreased in an incredible way, you must work lots
of hours without breaks and the labour conditions are worse than never but when
you love your job you try to not think in disadvantages and enjoy the
advantages.
-Is a flight a profession of risk?
-All works have risk. Risk zero doesn't exist in life but it's obviously
that there's a great risk although flights are now more secure than never.
-Have you put your life in danger working like a flight attendant?
-No, I haven't. I only remember a time when I put my life in danger and
it was because a passenger started to joke about security inside the plane and
the rest of the crew and passengers believed him. You must pay attention with
jokes because you can create panic situations and these kinds of situations are
very difficult to control.
-How do you feel being a member of The Beans?
-I feel very well. We're a fantastic family with open minds and a great
sense of respect and collaboration, something very important for surviving like
a group.
-How is a normal day with The Beans?
-I don't know if we can talk about normal days because first of all we
must define normal. If normal means that you're always doing the same routines,
well, we aren't a normal family, then. We like innovation, creativity and we
have tons of imagination.
-How long have you been studying English?
-Since the school. Cyprus was under British control from 1878 to 1960
when it becomes an independent state. English is a part of our recent culture
and although British left the island, we kept their language because it was
interesting for us. Remember, English is the world communication language.
-Is English difficult to learn for a Cypriot?
-No, it isn't. In Cyprus, we speak four languages: Greek, Armenian,
Arabian and Turkish. As you know, the island is divided in two different zones,
two languages, two cultures, two religions... but Cyprus is an important
geopolitical place in the Mediterranean Sea and we have been occupied by
Mycenae, Egyptians, Phoenician, Greek, Assyrian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine,
Arabian, Venetian and British.
-What can you explain about your life with The Beans?
-For me has been a great experience. It has been beautiful share time
and experiences with this family and thanks to this I have discovered my
sinister origin and how my surname can determinate my origins. I know I was
born in Dali but my origins are Dominican. It has been a great discovery.
-Which is your best memory with the family?
-A lot of memories but I remember especially two of them: the first was
when I talked to my family about my ancestor origins in Dominican Republic; and
the second was when I decided to make some Dominican food to my family. It was
delicious and all of them appreciated it.
-And the worst?
-Well, without any kind of doubt when I disappear in Hudson Bay in New
York. It was horrible. The family went to visit the Liberty Statue and our boat
sunk. I don't remember anything, only water and water and nothing more. It was
a terrible experience. I spent terrible moments but I think that being an
islander helped me to survive. Sea respected me.
-What title would you choose for your family?
-Flying to reach our dreams.
-Do you like this message?
-Yes, I do. You must try to reach your dreams and fly as far as you can
but you mustn't forget that as high as you fly, as hard the landing can be.
Follow your dreams but with honesty and remember your origins. Don't live in a
cloud, live in the real world, where things really happen.
-Thank you very much, Nereyda Bean.
-You're welcome.
It's only when you're flying above it that you realize
how incredible the Earth really is.
Philippe Perrin
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