MY KINGSTON – Migael Penix
Vice Consul, US Embassy, Kingston
What are your earliest memories of Kingston?
My earliest memory was the feeling when I stepped out of the Norman Manley airport for the first time, January 2014. Three hours earlier, I had left the bitter cold of the United States, so I still remember the warmth of that Jamaican night with nostalgia. Driving into the lights of the city from the airport was absolutely amazing.
How long have you lived in the city, and what Kingstonian trait or habit have you earnestly adopted?
I have lived in Kingston almost two years now. I’m actually about to leave in the next month or two for my next post in Australia. I’ve adopted a lot of Kingstonian traits, but anyone who knows me in Kingston knows that “I is a feter”. I’ve definitely adopted the Kingston culture of celebration!
What’s the most memorable meal that you have enjoyed in Kingston?
The first time I had escoveitch fish at the beach in Portmore. It was delicious, but I had no idea it wasn’t fillet. I enjoyed it, but it definitely took me more time to eat than it took my Jamaican friends. I’ll never forget comparing my plate to my Jamaican friends’ plate when we were finished. There wasn’t a single piece of meat left on their plate. I’m trying to get on their level.
What would you do if you were mayor of Kingston for a day?
Kingston has sister cities around the world, and so I would hold an international forum to bring the specialised knowledge and skills that are underrepresented in Kingston, connecting the groups to their counterparts in cities around the world. Since travel is costly, and to make the event as inclusive as possible, I would hold the symposiums in public venues across Kingston, using online video conferencing to connect our sister cities.
What would be your recommendations to a first-time visitor to Kingston?
I’ve had so many visitors to Kingston in these last two years. My recommendation to them is always to leave their expectations at home and to get ready to experience a completely different side of Jamaica. From the cooler fêtes to the karaoke nights, the chill lymes to the craziness of Carnival, Kingston offers a lot more than the reggae and beautiful nature that many tourists expect.
Share the title of the last book you read.
I’ve just reread The Souls of Black Folk by WEB DuBois.
What cologne are you splashing?
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme.
Refugee. Migrant. Is this the new identity crisis?
Not at all. As President Obama said at the United Nations last month: “In the faces of suffering families, our nation of immigrants sees ourselves.” Both the United States and Jamaica share the same national motto, whether we say it in Latin, E pluribus unum, or English, Out of many, one people.
How does the ideological cliché ‘world peace’ gain new life for the realities of the 21st century?
In the past, I think most people wanted to imagine world peace as a world defined by tranquility, unity and full agreement. In the 21st century, most are coming to the realisation that the basis for world peace should be mutual respect and tolerance. There will always exist some level of contention derived from ideological differences. The key is to work through contentious issues in a way that respects the dignity of a person, or the sovereignty of a foreign country but, more importantly, protects the basic human rights of everyone.
You’re at a dinner party, and you’re about to introduce a friend to a work colleague of yours. Within the crucial moments of the exchange, you find you’re unable to recall the latter’s name. What happens next?
I probably shouldn’t admit that this actually happened to me at a work colleague’s wedding, last weekend! Thankfully, most diplomats are well-versed in the protocol of introducing people and understand the cues of breaking this said protocol during an introduction. It happens to everyone at some point so we don’t tend to take it too personally. We know our colleague will probably be mortified by the memory-lapse so we help them to save face. In this situation, I would skip saying my colleague’s name altogether and say that I’d like to introduce my friend to them. In most cases, my colleague would know to say their name first and continue into a conversation.
Let’s take a spin on the word association carousel: Instructions Not Included.
You’ve really done your homework! A few years ago when I was living in Mexico City, a friend approached me in the gym and asked if I wanted to go to an open casting for a movie. I didn’t have a reason to say no so I went. Out of all the actors and actresses who auditioned, they picked me to play one of 50 characters in the film. I had no idea the movie would be a blockbuster hit. I’m not an actor, but the opportunity to act in a scene with Eugenio Derbez, one of Latin America’s biggest comedians, was definitely a memorable experience. To become his friend along the way and learn about the film industry, screenwriting process and the behind-the-scenes movie magic was the added bonus. I still get recognised, from time to time, whenever I’m in Mexico City. I will hold on to those 15 seconds of fame for as long as I can!
What do you consider your best and worst traits?
I’m known as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), which is a child that was raised in a culture outside of their parents’ culture for a significant part of their development years. My best and worst traits are definitely a result of this. I can jump into any culture or group and settle in quickly, but it’s also not hard for me to drop everything and leave. My life as a diplomat is perfect for my personality.
What was your last major splurge?
I went to Grand Cayman for a work trip during the summer and stayed a few extra days to explore the island and culture.
What is your philosophy?
My philosophy is a mix of the golden rule, the Serenity prayer, and #YOLO. Life is a gift. It never has to be boring. My personality as an extrovert leads me to experience life through my travel and my interactions with people. I love living, learning and growing through exchanges with anyone I come in contact with.