“ I do not have a lot, but I enjoy the little I have…”

Name : Cristian Fica Bello
Gender : Male
DoB : 12.06.1981
City of Birth : Coyahique
Status : In Relationship
Family : 2 Daughters, 7 and 9 yo
Hometown : Villa O Higgins, Chile
Education : Gastronomy (2y)
Job : Driver
Religion : Catholic
Politics : Center Left
As a child… How would you picture yourself at 30?
JOB – How did you decide to do this job?
I have always been attracted by trucks! My grand father had a transportation company (goods and wood) and I was fascinated by trucks.
I got my driver’s license as soon as I could (18yo) and I have always loved to drive! But I am not really into mechanics! When my truck breaks down I take it to the workshop!
The birth of my 2 little girls, 9 and 7 years ago really changed my life.
Food and gastronomy are also one of my passions, that is why I studied gastronomy for 2 years. But I realized I did not really like it as a job and I started to work as a driver in 2001, transporting goods from Coyahique to Villa O Higgins.
HOME / PLACE OF LIVING – Where you thought we would be living by now?
Coyahique of course! The city where I was born… Because I did not know anything else. It’s the biggest town on the Carretera Austral…
Altough my parents have been living in Villa O Higgins for 33 years, all my brothers, sisters and I were living in Coyahique with my grand mother to get our education (ie to go to school).It just seemed normal for me to love there.

Cristian on the phone in his backyard while his partners in chopping some wood to heat their home.

Cristian having dinner with his second daughter and his partner.
Striking and memorable events…
IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE – What are the most memorable event of your personal life?
The birth of my 2 little girls, 9 and 7 years ago.
Merely because these were events that really changed my life. Before, my life was not very ordered… And I had to change my way of living, be more responsible, I was not alone anymore…. There are 2 other persons that depend on me.
My ex GF and I separated while she was 3 month pregnant…But I still get along very well with her and get to spend time with my daughter when I want. She knows my current partners and my second daughter.
IN THE WORLD – What are the main events that stroke the world you are living in?
Chile : The return to democracy and the end of Pinochet’s government. Even if he did a lot for my region (Patagonia), he has a lot of blood on his hands… Repression was common, freedom of speech was inexistent… CNI (Police) was watching us and they had the right to do everything, even murder…
World : When the wall of Berlin fell in 1989, I was very young (8yo) but I remember seeing it on the news. At the time I didn’t really know what was happening, but when I grew up and studied I understood what happened and how important that moment was. I am really involved in Politics and I am involved in a lot of social activities in Villa O Higgins.
BEST MEMORY – What is your best memory?
The day I bought my truck! (laughing) in March 2014 because it was a great achievement for me to be able to buy it… I saved money for years. I was really looking forward that day. from the moment I started working as a driver.
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT –
Im a proud of the life I have. To be where I am today at my age. I am able to provide my family and children with what they need. This is the most important for me.
Looking back / Reviewing expectations
10 YEARS AGO, I finished my international gastronomy studies and my idea was to work as a cook on a ship and go away! See the world!
When it came to my personal life, I can’t say if I was seeing myself married or not, I just had something else in my mind!
TODAY, Destiny decided otherwise… I came to Villa O Higgins, met the mother of my first child… She was born and… That’s it…

Cristian lives in this small house in Villa O Higgins. A 600 people town located at the end of the Carretera Austral in Chilean Patagonia.

Cristian driving his truck between Coyahique and Villa O Higgins.
30 years old, a turning point?
WHAT’S NEW? – Did you notice some changes since you are 30 YO?
Being 30 did not change anything at all… Because in my opinion, there are much more important steps in one’s life… When you get to have your family, children, your age doesn’t really matter. Like I said before, the birth of my 2 daughters really changed my life…
Being 30 did not change anything at all… there are much more important steps in one’s life…
OLD OR YOUNG? – Do you feel « old » or « still young »?
I feel young!! I am only 33! A lot of people make it to 80 years old, I am not even halfway of my life. I still have a lot of time to enjoy it!!
CHANGES OR REGRETS? What are the things you would like to change?
No… I think that it is useless to have regrets or just to wish that something happened or didn’t happen… Especially because I really think that I have been quite lucky in my life.
I wouldn’t change anything… I do not have a lot, but I enjoy the little I have… I am really happy with what I have.
My Values

My Typical day

And tomorrow?
YOUR STORY IN 10 YEARS – What is the story you want to tell within 10 years?
Working… Still in my Transport business… Paying for my daughters university… Having health… I picture myself in Villa O Higgins, I really think that there is a bright future over there for young people who want to work. It is a small and quiet town but there are still business opportunities.
I want my daughters to study, be independent, start their own life and then I will be able to relax and travel more ☺
THE WORLD IN 10 YEARS – How do you imagine the world you will be living in within 10 years?
Chile : I hope progress will be made on the labor market… That wages will be higher… Because today it is almost impossible to live on minimum wage (Around 215 000 CLP). Just the rent can be around 200 000… When it comes to the future of my country, I think that we (Chilean) all wish for the same : Free education… Cheaper health system…
World : If nothing too bad happen in Arabic countries, I think that world economy will remain stable. If we run out of oil we will be in great troubles! Merely because it will generate a lot of inflation and the price of everything will soar.
This is one of the reason why Chile invest a lot in alternative energy research (solar, wind). But it is still very expensive to a private person to have access to this kind of energy (for us buying solar panel remains very expensive).
Fears and Dreams…
FEARS – What are you afraid of?
I am afraid of death… Especially the way I will die… If it is sleeping it’s ok… How will I die?!
ACHIEVEMENTS – What are the things you want to achieve?
I would like to give a good education to my daughters. To provide them everything they need to study so I can help them to build a better future. I think that this is the only thing one can give to his children.
DREAMS – What is your craziest dreams?
I would love to ride in a submarine, be underwater… like I said I love water (I wanted to sail the world!) Travel, meet people, other type of food… I would love to have a boat and make it to India… Because I just love their food! Herbs, spices… It’s amazing.