#13 Allan | Flight attendant of KLM

前言: 走進函館的一家居酒屋，掀開布幕有七個人，三個香港人，另外有兩個日本人同兩個外國人，見到日本人 A 正努力以所認識嘅英語同外國人交談，我不期然開始偷聽一下佢地嘅對話，突然日本人 B 問我係邊到人，回答我係香港人後，坐係我旁邊嘅 Allan 開始同我嘅對話，先簡單問香港嘅變化，再分享佢喜歡香港嘅美食，於是我決定訪問一下呢位來自荷蘭嘅男士。

1. Can you briefly share with us your background?

I’m originally from South America and I’m brought up in Belgium. I then move to the Netherlands and have been working as a flight attendant of KLM (荷蘭皇家航空) for 21 years.

2. Why do you like your job as a flight attendant?

I don’t like working 9 to 5. I like the dynamics of this job and I enjoy working for different shifts. This job allows me to travel around and I’m lucky as KLM offers different destinations in the world.

3. Has your passion and love towards this job changed after all these years?

I think I still like my job and I’m glad that I never have a day thinking “I don’t want to go to work” and I have not regretted doing this job.

I hope this can be my life long job but I have to admit that some health issues emerge as I get older.

4. Where is your most favourite destination in the world?

I don’t like Africa. I like Asia and South America best. I feel good when I’m in Asia. I enjoy Asian food so much and feel that there is always something happening in Asian countries that make my visits worth. As for South America, it’s probably where I am from and the language that make me feel comfortable.

5. Where is your most favourite Asian country then?

Singapore and Hong Kong. I feel safe in these places and again I like Asian food. Credit can be given to Singapore for its weather.

6. I can see that you can use chopsticks well as a foreigner, can you share with us why?

My father taught me. My parents were sailors and very often they had to travel around. They visited Yokohama and learnt how to use chopsticks and I learnt from them.

後記: 當我同 Allan 介紹「有故事的人」呢個 project 嘅時候，Allan 同我講佢同行嘅朋友係一個退左休嘅小學校長，當我解釋我今年 take 個 gap year 周圍去嘅時候，Allan 話 “I’m amazed. I know it’s very difficult and rare for Asians to take a gap year”，他的友人更說 “I agree with you. How can you teach geography without visiting different places? You can’t visit all but at least you should go for a walk”

同兩位外國朋友道別，返到酒店回想，不禁令我想起以前 Ms Yu Yuen Mei 介紹的「深夜食堂」，唔同嘅人去到食堂傾計，分享自己嘅故事，更特別嘅係呢晚居酒屋入面係大家都係唔識日文嘅外國人係到傾計，由於 Allan 成日飛，感覺他見識好廣，我都知多左唔同地方嘅文化