A return to the caves, a return home

By Karina Miñano

Curiosity brought him to Amsterdam and love is taking him back home; the Canary Islands.  There, he will begin to build a new life, a life he postponed in order to travel, to learn, to break new ground in a country that would help him grow both personally and professionally.

Dailos Medina grew up among the comfort and luxury that a big city such as Las Palmas can offer, but also among the uneven, rough and creviced walls of the caves of Artenara, the smallest village in the Canary Islands.

People here in Holland affectionately call me “the cave man” and it surprises them when I tell them that my father’s house, the one in which I grew up, is actually inside a cave, Dailos says freely.  In fact, they still build houses within caves in Artenara.  And the temperature?  “Actually, the cave cools you down in the summer and keeps you warm in the winter.  You don’t need air-conditioning or heating”

What brought you to Holland?

An ambitious computer-programming project that was unfortunately cut short when the company that brought me over went bankrupt.  But still, I wanted to leave the Canaries, I wanted to experience new things, meet new people, in other words, open new doors for myself.  I had been working for the same public institution for 6 years and honestly, I was feeling stuck.

What type of project was it?  Was there no possibility that another company might be interested?

It was a software development project.  I’m a programmer and I consider myself well rounded within the field because I like many different aspects of programming, but mostly I’m interested in web and Flash development.  Web development refers to the Internet and Flash development refers to applications that are both dynamic and animated.  The project was almost finished when the company went bankrupt.  Yes, there were possibilities of selling the project to other companies, but at that moment it was difficult.  I had to find a job to pay the bills and completing the project would have meant dedicating too much time.  I’m certain that one day I’ll finish the project and be able to sell it to an interested company.

Why are you returning to the Canary Islands?

(Nervous laughter).  Love.  My girlfriend lives there.  She’s a lawyer and it would be very difficult for her to find a good job in Holland.  For me, however, finding work is a bit easier.  First I’ll work freelance and after that, we’ll see.

Would you ever start your own business?

Yes, that is what I’d like to do.

What are you leaving behind here in Holland and what are you taking with you to the Canary Islands?

A lot.  I’m leaving many friends behind.  But from those friendships I’ll be taking the most valuable part with me.   I’ve learned so much, I’ve grown.  When I arrived, I saw myself wrapped up in this logical process of personal and professional growth.  I no longer have those fears of beginning as a freelancer. I’ve learned so much.

Like the language?

(Laughter).  Well, I tried my best to learn it.  If I can’t speak it well, at least I’ve learned a lot of words and can understand a bit.  I took the initiative and signed up for a class and to be honest, I like the confidence that Dutch, as a language, conveys.

I’ve also learned to Dance salsa.

Are you saying that you came to Holland to learn to dance salsa?

(Laughter).  Yes.  A Dutch friend of mine, who speaks Spanish very well by the way, convinced me to enroll with her.  I dance well, not perfectly, but I don’t do too badly.

What was it that you missed most about the Canary Islands during your two years here in Holland?

The climate.  The mountains in my village, the countryside, the people of Artenara who are so open, unassuming, and friendly.

Many foreigners in Holland have a problem with the food.  What was your experience?

I have to admit that I’m easy to please when it comes to food.  I like to eat and luckily haven’t had any problems in that regard.  I like to try new things and will eat everything.  The only thing I don’t like is zuurkool because I find it too tart for my taste. Nor do I like pindakaas which is mixed with everything here. 

What is it that you like best about Holland what do you like least?

I love Holland itself.  Amsterdam is a small city with so many different people, cultures and ways of thinking that are all able to coexist.  At times I feel a bit uncomfortable with the directness of the people when they speak to you.  I think that there are people who don’t think first and they say things even though they may hurt you. 
I’d like to come back some day but only for vacation.

And how do you handle the climate?

I don’t like the weather here in Holland.  The winter up in the mountains of my village doesn’t usually get that cold.  During the day it’s possible to have temperatures of 25 degrees and at night 5 degrees.  But here in the winter it’s cold all day.  The first time I came was in July and it was a beautiful summer.  The summer was perfect.  However, the last two summers were really cold, too cold for me.

How did you become involved with the association?

I was looking for work when I came across the association’s website.  It had just started up and the website’s design was very basic.  When I decided to collaborate with the association, as a Webmaster I thought about it seriously and in conjunction with the association president, we decided to promote the web.

What do you think has been your most important contribution to the association?

When I began there were barely 200 members, but after building up the website, we’ve reached a registration of more than 800 members.  I think the website helped generate a lot of interest in the association.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself doing what I like to do.  Taking charge of my career, starting my own business.  As I mentioned, I will work freelance.  I’ll have to struggle to be successful.  I’ve had a lot of luck and have been given a lot of opportunities that I must take advantage of.  I’ve met many interesting people, I’ve opened my mind, I’ve grown.  I’ve lost my previous fears.  I’m returning to the Canary Islands more sure of myself, with a better understanding (culture, language) and with a much more open view of life.