'Why Winnipeg?'

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Cynthia Murray, who's from Argentina, loves Bannatyne Avenue, where she and friends have opened a pizzeria. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

Whenever I get the chance to talk to customers, many of them ask me, "Why did you choose to come to Canada?" And right after, they usually add "and why Winnipeg?!"

It seems like the Prairies aren't seen as a top destination for young newcomers from abroad, but I might have to disagree with that. I must admit that -35 C in winter is quite shocking for someone who's from a place where it never snows, but my personal bond with Winnipeg goes beyond the weather. In fact, it started almost ten years ago.

I was born in Argentina, in the suburbs of the capital city, Buenos Aires. Both sides of my family were Irish descendants, which is not very common despite the large immigrant heritage in my country. My parents used to be members of the Rotary Club, and we often hosted young people participating in the club's international exchange program.

People who stayed at our home shared their experiences and culture while getting the chance to live abroad with a family that took care of them. In the months before my graduation from high school, my parents encouraged me to have my own experience as an exchange student. My two older brothers had already done it, and they said it was a mind-opening experience.

In January 2003, three weeks after finishing high school, I jumped on a plane heading to Winnipeg. My older brother was in Winnipeg too, so my host families already knew about me. I can't say how grateful I am to the McLachlans and the Gallaghers, who didn't just host me -- they became my Canadian family. During the rest of the year, I learned how to live in Winnipeg. I took classes at Westwood Collegiate, made friends and even graduated with them. I spent my time not just with my Canadian mates, but also with other exchange students in the same situation as me. By the time I went back to Argentina, I realized how lucky I was as an 18-year-old to have had the chance to go through this experience.

Back home, I studied political science at the University of Buenos Aires. For such a career, it's critical to be open-minded and to be able to consider more than one point of view. Travelling gives you perspective and a wider approach -- to think outside the box, as people say here.

During my studies, I met Gonzalo, who was studying for the same career, and together we talked about our common interest. We both agreed that once we finished university, it was necessary to go out and "learn what isn't written in books."

When we graduated from university, it was time to take a year off and travel. Even though public university in Argentina is free, in order to support ourselves, we both worked in full-time jobs while studying, leaving us with meagre savings. Fortunately, we found a program where we could apply to get an open work visa for Canada. In that way, we could work while travelling. In June last year, after quitting our jobs and saying goodbye to family and friends, I came for the second time to Canada.

After a couple of months, we came to Winnipeg to visit. When coming from a big city like Buenos Aires or Toronto, Winnipeggers are surprisingly warm. It took little time for us to settle and find jobs. Noel Bernier, owner of Hermanos Restaurant, offered us a chance to learn about the restaurant business.

This summer, a new opportunity came knocking. A little spot became available and together with Noel and others, we developed Corrientes, an authentic Argentine-style pizzeria. A new project, but also a shared dream.

The best thing is the pizzeria is in the heart of one of the places in Winnipeg that I love the most. On Bannatyne Avenue in the east Exchange, you are in the heart of the downtown, yet it is full of trees and there is a beautiful river at the end of it.

While learning and working on this new project, the idea of travelling isn't off the map. In fact, even this twist of events is part of a long-term travel experience. This could be a great story to share with my kids one day, a story full of experiences and great memories. But for now, I'm enjoying every single minute in this beautiful city because as we say in Spanish: "La vida es muy corta para no disfrutar de cada segundo que respiramos" (life is too short not to enjoy every second that we breathe).

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 19, 2012 A8