“A tribute to my roots” by Micaela Caruccio

This is the voice in her own words about returning home to her roots, it’s an honor for me introduce this young woman who came as a child to this country and now speaks for herself and her desire for a near future, it’s because of people like her that we built up the heritage to preserve, to keep and to share our patrimony of Argentina.  

Let’s read her blog, “A tribute to my roots” by Micaela Caruccio.

Argentina to me is a collection of distant memories connected to feelings such as happiness, freedom, excitement, nostalgia, and warmth. When someone asks me "where are you from?" I always say, "Argentina but I was raised in New Jersey." That part of me never goes away. When most strangers hear the word Argentina, they almost immediately get excited or intrigued, they may say, "wow I never met someone from Argentina" or they may associate Argentina with steak, wine, or soccer. It's rare they associate it with poverty. Those who have visited Argentina always say "I went there" with a prideful tone in their voice and state that it's a beautiful country. I guess some of them may not understand why someone would leave Argentina.

As a first-generation Argentinean, it wasn't my choice to leave, it was my parent's choice. The reasons they shared with me include the lack of opportunities they had at that time, wanting a better future for me, their daughter, and although I understand their reasons, I will never truly understand it since it didn't happen to me first-hand. I was a child when I came to the United States and although I was only seven, I can still remember the hardships of being in a new country. But all I can say is that I am so grateful to my parents for seeking a better life and for still sharing with me our food, our language, and our traditions.

Being a first generation in The United States is like living a double life in a way. I speak English most of the time, I have American traditions, I celebrate American holidays, and I have American "ways". At the same time, I crave Argentinian food (real Argentinian food) like from Argentina, there is a difference. I listen to Argentinian music, I watch Argentinian soccer, I try to sound Argentinian in Spanish, and I try to stay connected to Argentine traditions as much as I can. It is weird to describe how even though I am Argentinian, I have to do Argentinian things, on purpose to feel more Argentinian. Because the things I've learned in The United States have become natural, everyday things to me, and the Argentinean things have become foreign.

In 2010 I finally traveled back to Argentina, twelve years after my departure. It wasn't until I was walking in the streets of Ituzaingo that I realized this feeling of being home and I thought to myself, wow, this is my home, this is where I was born. This is where some of the most beautiful memories I have, were created. I felt like I was "home" and it's difficult to describe unless you've been away from your home for a long time and then return. It's a beautiful feeling, like belonging. Although I didn't feel like I belonged, not anymore, I felt like I was in the place where I was created. And that was magical.

Now that I am a mother, I want to connect more to my heritage and my roots. I want to share them with my son, and I know it is my responsibility to re-establish that connection that has faded over the years. I am so grateful for social media, for Facebook Groups, and for any event where I can be with other Argentineans and enjoy our traditions together.