londonlife_060823_mexicanlondon Lyrics

BBC Learning English
London Life
A Mexican in London
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Yvonne: As we know, London is a very cosmopolitan city - so it's possible to meet
people here from countries that we may never visit. And that's just what
we're doing today on London Life with Miguel Molina from Mexico. This is
bbclearningenglish.com and I'm Yvonne Archer. Hello!
Miguel has been living in London for about ten years and works as an Editor in
the BBC's Latin American Service. So he's an old friend! But life is not all
about work, so what do Miguel and other Mexicans in London do for fun? (Is
that a fair question?) Also try to spot two different ways that Miguel uses the
word 'party'. Now there's a big clue for you!
Miguel Molina
There's not 'a' Mexican way of being, but some, they're young, they have nothing else to do,
so they like to party and you can find them, you know, having fun. Others that are becoming
old, like me, just for fun, they could just go sit down in the garden and have a nice chat with
friends and (are) no longer partying.
Yvonne: By the way, Miguel really isn't that old but yes, he does enjoy a nice 'chat' -
talking with friends in the garden - that's if it's not raining! We'll look at the
word 'party' in a moment but first did you catch that useful phrase - 'There's
not A Mexican way of being'? That's a lovely way to explain that not all
Mexicans are the same.
Miguel Molina
There's not 'a' Mexican way of being
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Yvonne: Sometimes it's believed that people who speak the same language or are from
the same continent for example, are the same. So Miguel's phrase is a good
way to answer questions based on such beliefs without upsetting people.
Note the way we say 'A' and 'AN' - for example, 'There's not 'a' Chinese
way of being' and 'There's not 'an' Arabic way of being'.
Now onto the word 'party'. Miguel says of young Mexicans in London:
Miguel Molina
They have nothing to do so they like to party...
Yvonne: And the older Mexicans in London?
Miguel Molina
(They're) no longer partying.
Yvonne: So there's the noun 'a party' - an event when people have fun talking, playing
music and dancing, for example. And we heard the word used as a verb - 'to
party' and 'partying'. Do you like 'to party'? Do you like 'partying'? So
you've a few things to discuss after today's London Life?!
Although London has many interesting events to go to and places to visit for
free, lots of people who were born here don't actually go to them! But that's
certainly not the case for people from other countries who live here. Miguel
says that Mexicans living in London generally have 'a very developed taste for
cultural things'. For example, they enjoy visiting places like art galleries and
museums.
Miguel Molina
Mexicans in general, but more so Mexicans who go live abroad, not as tourists, have a very
developed taste for cultural things. That is, you find them in places such as the National
Gallery or the British Museum or you find them looking at historical places in London.
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Yvonne: Are there 'historical' places where you live that you can easily visit but don't?
Why not?
Of course, Miguel now lives in London but where is his 'home' - the place
where his heart really is - or even, his guitar?!
Miguel Molina
I live here - this is home for me. Yes, I go back to Mexico and it's home in Mexico as well.
But home is, well... an artist would say: 'home is where your guitar is'. I don't have a
guitar, I don't play anything, so.... But the classics also say: 'home is wherever you go and
they have to take you in'. So I guess, in that sense, I have a home here in London and in
Mexico.
Yvonne: Lucky man! Do you think you could be as happy living in another country?
And how would you explain what 'home' is? Why not talk about that after
today's London Life. And for a reminder of some of the language we've
looked at, visit us now at bbclearningenglish.com!