Interviewer
Kimberly Sumano
Project
Ultraviole(n)t Exposures Project
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Yuleida Colomo was born in Venezuela and arrived in El Paso at the beginning of 2024. She left Venezuela due to the current political and economic situation. Before arriving in El Paso, she and her family lived in Ecuador for five years.
Summary of Interview
Yuleida Colomo is originally from the state of Zulia in Venezuela. She reminisces about her country's natural beauty, tourist zones, and friendly people. She currently lives with her husband and two sons in the Segundo Barrio. Before arriving in Segundo Barrio, they spent five years in Ecuador before arriving in the United States. She speaks fondly of Ecuador and thanks them for the opportunity and hospitality. She expresses that there are many comparisons between Venezuela and Ecuador, but her preference will always be for the land of her birth.
Yuleida and her family live in the Segundo Barrio. They enjoy their apartment and their life there. It is peaceful, and the neighbors are friendly, although not all are social. A typical day for Yuleida consists of preparing her children for school and walking her youngest child to school. On some days, she walks to purchase groceries. Otherwise, she cleans and waits for her children to return home from school. She speaks about the climate in El Paso and mentions that it is very hot. She also indicates that she walks to places such as taking her son to school and the grocery store. The heat sometimes feels unbearable, especially when one must be outside, but no other viable alternative exists. She also elaborates on her son’s love for participating in soccer and their daily rituals after returning from practice, which mainly consist of conversations and resting.
The weather was far hotter than Yuleida and her family expected. Her family does not have a car and utilizes public transportation or walking to conduct their daily activities. Due to the heat, Yuleida expresses a need for trees, shade, and additional recreation for the entire community to relieve them from the heat and to foster community interaction. In addition, she feels that it is also needed for our youth who are either on their phones or in isolation. When the weather is bearable, her family goes to Armijo Park or the San Jacinto Plaza to watch people, eat ice cream, and experience the community.
She elaborated on her journey from Venezuela to Ecuador through the Darien Pass, eventually ending up in El Paso. Shade was an essential component of their trip due to the weather conditions. Shade signifies rest, rejuvenation, a method of cooling down or a place of protection from the elements.
As an outsider to the Segundo Barrio, Yuleida offers a fresh perspective and highlights the need for recreation and shade.
Date of Interview
6-11-2024
Length of Interview
34 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1790
Transcript Number
No. 1790
Length of Transcript
13 pages
Transcriber
Institute of Oral History
Interview Number
No. 1790
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Yuleida Colomo by Kimberly Sumano, 2024, "Interview no. 1790," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.