Cute kittens in New York City

Elena Olazabal hails from Peru where she worked as a teacher. Now residing in Queens, she is an avid reader with a penchant for novels and the poetry of Gustavo Adolfo Becker. Elena also pens heartfelt poetry, often drawing inspiration from the love-filled landscape of her soul. Central to her world are her cherished pets: her dog, Kenyi, and her cats, Trueno (meaning “Thunder”) and Luna (meaning “Moon”). They illuminate her life and inspire her writings. She expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to participate in a storytelling event, an experience she believes will empower her future students when she realizes her dream of becoming a Spanish teacher in the United States.

When I was 21 years old, I used to dream of traveling to different countries like Japan, Italy, and the United States. Those dreams were colorful and felt as real as the shining nature around me. These dreams were realized when I started to work as a teacher. My first time traveling by plane was to the city of Trujillo, a tourist place in Peru known as “The City of Spring,” where many people come from different countries to see the ruins of Nazca. I also traveled to Cajamarca, where the Inca Atahualpa offered gold to the Spanish Francisco Pizarro to save his life, and to Huaraz, where beautiful ruins like the Lanzon are adorned with drawings on stone. Finally, in 2002, I came to the USA and have been living in Queens, NY for a long time.

I love this city, where you can find almost anything you want, especially delicious food from various countries. I appreciate the gastronomy where you can taste different flavors from wonderful restaurants. These eateries, decorated in styles reflecting their cultures, transport you around the world as talented chefs create diverse dishes to captivate customers. Additionally, many street carts and vendors prepare delectable dishes throughout New York. At night, the city is aglow with colorful lights. Buildings, parks, rivers, and iconic structures like the Empire State Building light up; they remind me of the majestic Andes of Peru where condors soar.

Walking in Central Park, I noticed something fascinating that I had never seen before: people pushing pet strollers. Inside were kittens and puppies, looking happy and loved. Such sights warm my heart, just as Jesus says we should share our time with others, be they human or animal. However, there is a sadder side. Some pets are abandoned and mistreated by less compassionate individuals. It’s a heart-wrenching scene and a reminder of the consequences of ill deeds.

In my yard, adorned with flowers and vegetables, there’s a small shelter my husband built for our dog, Kenyi. One day in May, under a clear blue sky dotted with white clouds and as rain began to fall, my daughter and I found five kittens with their mother in the shelter. Initially, they were skittish, but over time only two remained, and with patience and toys, we earned their trust. Inspired by the weather of their discovery, we named the black one Thunder (Trueno) and the multicolored one Moon (Luna). Surprisingly, we later realized our gender mistakes: Trueno was female, and Luna, male.

Now, at two years old, they’re cherished members of our family. Kenyi, our protective pitbull, barks at unfamiliar faces, while Luna ensures mice stay out of our home. They are our tiny superheroes. Their presence brightened our lives, and seeing the city’s love for pets inspired my daughter, Amy, to rescue Trueno and Luna. She even hopes to buy a stroller for them, completing her happiness. We should always extend our kindness, even to our four-legged companions.

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Moved by Elena’s story? She’s just one of the many voices in our vibrant tapestry of immigrant women storytellers.

A Heartfelt Thank You: Our ‘Immigrant Women Writing Series – Writing the Self’ initiative is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Learning, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and administered by LMCC.