News from Home

Every Sunday at seven in the evening, Camilo makes a cup of coffee, sits on his balcony in Perth and calls his family in Medellin. In Colombia it is six in the morning, but his mother is always awake.

Camilo has lived in Australia for two years. He works as a nurse, he has an Australian girlfriend and he has learned to surf. But every Sunday, for one hour, he is at home.

This Sunday there is a lot of news. "Your sister has passed her driving test!" says his mother. Valentina appears on the screen with a big smile. "Third time's the charm. I haven't crashed yet." "Yet?" says Camilo.

Then his father brings the dog to the camera. "Watch this. Bruno, play dead!" The dog falls on the floor and closes his eyes. "He has learned it this week," says his father. "He has already done it for all the neighbors."

"And Mom?" asks Camilo. "What's your news?" His mother looks a little nervous. "I have just started a business." "A business?" "Yes. I make cakes and I sell them online. I have already sold forty this month. Your sister delivers them. In the car." "Has she crashed any cakes yet?" "Only one."

Camilo laughs. Then he is quiet for a moment. "I have missed a lot of things," he says. "No," says his mother. "You have been here every Sunday. That's a lot."

"Have you booked your flight for Christmas yet?" asks Valentina. "Not yet," says Camilo. "But I'm going to do it tonight." And this time, he does.