I didn’t want to go far today and there really is no need as I am surrounded by the most interesting people, from all over the world, all with incredible stories.
My next subject is a beautiful man and the word ‘beautiful’ is correct for him. He has a wonderful disposition, full of humour, charm and so very talented at what he does.
Whenever you see him a high five is always on the cards and he acts like he hasn’t seen you in five years. Some people are like this and it doesn’t feel genuine, with him it is nothing but sincere.
Name: Marco Herrara
Occupation: Assistant Tennis Director at Isleworth Country Club
1.Where were you born and raised?
Bogata, Columbia
‘Bogata is a very big city, there are about 7/8 million people. South America is all very family orientated so I was raised in a big family environment, I have two sisters but it’s a huge extended family. It’s not the kind of family that you just get together the four or five of you but you go to your Grandmothers house every weekend and get together with all your cousins.’
‘There is always a big party and at the end of the night you all fall asleep on your Grandmothers bed with all of your cousins one on top of the other.’
2.Tell me a childhood memory.
‘I always loved that we were members of this club that was in the suburbs of Bogata about an hour and a half away. That always bring back good memories because it was always about fun, my Dad he was a Doctor there was not much time to hang out with him usually but whenever we went there we it would mean we were all together.’
‘Playing in the Father and son tournament at the club was always fun.’
‘My Father was always trying to make jokes here and there, my Mother was more like the serious one, she was the one keeping the ropes tight with us and he was the one that didn’t worry if we didn’t show up for a couple of days.’
Sadly, Marco lost his Father in an accident, Marco was only 20 years old and of course his Father very young.
3. What is your favourite season and why?
‘For us there was not really any seasons in Bogata, just the rainy seasons. It was always great looking forward to the end of the school year.’
‘We would spend our times at the club, my Mother would drop us off and leave us there all day and we loved it.’
4.Tell me about someone you love.
‘My Mum, I don’t just love her, I respect her a lot, I really look up to her. My Dad passed away that year I came to the States, I was only 20 years old and she took on so much responsibility. Seeing her get strength from nowhere pulling it together and looking after her kids.’
‘She and my older sister, if I could choose two it would be them, those two are the love of my life.’
5.What words of wisdom do you have for the reader about life?
‘Don’t worry so much about the finish line, I feel like we are all just striving to work hard and to get better & to have everything, be a millionaire and forget about the moments that are actually happening and by the time you obtain all that, it may be too late to enjoy life and you never know things could happen.’
6.Dreams for the future?
‘I’d like to have maybe one or two children, I’m definitely looking forward to having children, I’m looking forward to having my little curly running around!’
My professional dream is to get to be a Tennis Director for my own club and give back to Tennis, go back to Columbia and help as much as I can. The sport is what has given me so much, everything. The big or little of what I have is because of sport, because of Tennis.’
We don’t have lots of words here. It’s hard for me to relay to you, the reader, the amount of emotion that Marco adds to every sentence. He hides his feelings with humour but I saw how hard it was for him to talk to me today, I feel bad like I made him..not forcibly but he is too nice to say no.
I’m glad we talked, I found out things I didn’t know about him, it doesn’t change anything, I still think he is a beautiful man, this is just reinforced.
There is something about people from South America that is so incredibly endearing, a wonderful appreciation of life, the big family get togethers, the parties..all that love. I feel like I have missed out, didn’t get the invite..hopefully I will be around and get to see Marco throw his own family parties, with his own beautiful children.the little gorgeous ‘curly hairs.’
