Phuntsok 0:13
Sangay Sherpa, so if you’d like to introduce yourself, could you go ahead and do that…
Sangay 0:17
Hey. Phuntsok. My name is Sangay Sherpa. I’m a father of two kids. And I’m, I live in Jackson Heights. I’ve been living here for about 11 years. And I, I’m an Uber driver.
Phuntsok 0:43
Right?
You said 11 years in Jackson Heights right? All right. Before we get into that, I just want to know, you know, how are you doing right now?
Sangay 0:53
I’m doing good. Yeah. Thank you.
Phuntsok 0:55
I mean, I know your wife is in the healthcare field. And with this COVID, how she doing? Is she doing alright.
Sangay 1:04
Yes. We both are COVID survivors. So yeah. So we didn’t get… she’s working and serving the community.
Phuntsok 1:20
Alright, that’s great to hear. You have to tell her thank you for me when you do see her. And okay, so you say you’ve lived in Jackson Heights for 11 years? How long have you been in America?
Sangay 1:35
I’m here since 1999. So it’s running in like 21… 22 years now.
Phuntsok 1:47
And only 11 years in Jackson Heigths. Where did you stay before Jackson Heights?
Sangay 1:52
I live in Sunnyside for about two years and then the rest in Brooklyn.
Phuntsok 2:00
So that’s almost nine years in Brooklyn.
Sangay 2:03
He I think around eight. Yeah. Eight, nine years in Brooklyn. Yeah.
Phuntsok 2:06
And I know you had your children in Brooklyn. Right?
Sangay 2:09
Yeah
Phuntsok 2:09
So they grew up there. How was Brooklyn? I mean nine years, you have to of have some experience there. How was it.
Sangay 2:19
Oh, well, it…
It was good. It just that we were there for our own convenience, I guess my sister in law was there. And then my eldest son is of the same age as her daughter. So it was better for, for us to, you know, work out our schedules, work schedules, because one of one of the families could take care of both kids while the other are working. That luckily, we decided to move there and stay there. Around eight, nine years.
Phuntsok 3:07
I see. And what made you want to move to Jackson Heights was like, what was the reason that you would say,
Sangay 3:14
Well, the kids grew up and then not just that. Even though, it was an okay place down there. I didn’t feel the sense of community. I didn’t have that many friends and families there. Most of my family members were in Queens. So we moved here in 2010.
Phuntsok 3:35
So you’d say you moved here for… because to be closer to your community?
Sangay 3:40
Yeah
Phuntsok 3:41
Alright, that’s, that’s good to hear. When you first arrived, was there anything that you know, how was it first? What What kind of people did you find yourself amongst?
Sangay 3:53
Well, the the main reason I moved to was my friends. I have most of my family and friends and family from my town from my city in Nepal, they live in Jackson Heights. And that’s the reason why I’m moved here. So it’s, it’s mainly for my friends and family, I guess. So I have a lot more a lot of my friends and my friends over here. So that’s why I’m up.
Phuntsok 4:26
And what could you say about the diversity of Jackson Heights?
Sangay 4:30
Well, is very diverse. And it’s mostly Indian, the Bangladeshi and Nepalese community in Jackson Heights right now.
Phuntsok 4:45
So you’d say mainly South Asian is what you…
Sangay 4:48
South Asian. Yes
Phuntsok 4:49
And since since you moved, has it changed anyway?
Sangay 4:57
Yes, of course. It has There were very few businesses or restaurants. Back then now there are like more than 50 restaurants. We have our law firms, real estate farms, accounting tax services…
Phuntsok 5:15
Run by the Nepali people
Sangay 5:18
Run by… the grocery stores all run by Nepalese. It’s like a big community right now.
Phuntsok 5:25
And since you arrived, I know you said you moved for community and your friends. But was there anything that you found yourself that you didn’t expect in Jackson Heights, but you ended up liking?
Sangay 5:37
Ah, no, I think the most mostly, it was not unexpected. I think I knew what I was getting into. And I liked it. Yeah.
Phuntsok 5:58
And we talked about what you liked about it. Were there any issues that you had with Jackson Heights?
Sangay 6:06
Well, the only issues we have is I live in a community where there are lots of other South Asian neighbors. And there are a lot of places where there are no houses and, and people leave trash on the streets. And I don’t understand why why they do that. That’s the only issue. I don’t like it.
Phuntsok 6:37
It’s kind of you saying it’s kind of dirty?
Sangay 6:40
Yeah, the trash its like big trash like TVs and the big furnitures. They just bring it in their car and leave it at street corners. I don’t know if it’s if it is the lack of education, or they don’t know how, how to dispose of those electronic stuff. I have no idea. But that seemed to be a problem.
Phuntsok 7:06
For sure. For sure. I know that. Both. Both you and me. We live near the BQE. And under the bridges near our house, they do leave a lot of trash. Yes, I know what you’re talking about. I feel like the city could do a better job there. For people to get rid of that. But I see what you’re talking about. So I mean, I know you live right off 34th Avenue. And, you know, during quarantine, New York City, the DOT they’ve started to have these open streets programs where they closed down the streets. And I was just wondering, what was your take on that? Like, how did like do you do walk on that street often? Do you take the dog out?
Sangay 7:42
Yes, I do. We walk on the streets, we run, we take our dogs. I love the idea, but just I’m just wondering, you know, Jackson Heights already has very congested streets, traffic wise, and when it fully opens I don’t know what kind of effect it’s gonna have. So if it if there is, no, there is no problem with the current traffic condition. I’m all up for it. It’s a great idea.
Phuntsok 8:18
You mentioned you’re an Uber driver. That’s your profession. So I’m just wondering, from a drivers point of view, you know, we have these open streets in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan… driving in quarantine, did you notice any extra congestion? Or was it alright?
Sangay 8:37
No, because very few people are working right now. So there is not much problem right now, but once once the city fully opens and everybody starts working, I don’t think it will be the same. So you know, there will be problems.
Phuntsok 8:58
Okay. So make your overall opinion. You said you enjoyed it. You were walking, running, getting out there, but at the same time, it’s going to cause issue with congestion. Do you do you support the making of, they’re saying they want to make it permanent? The city. Do you support that?
Sangay 9:15
All support it if it’s not going to cause problems? Of traffic congestion.
Phuntsok 9:23
So you want to kind of want to see how it…
Sangay 9:25
Yeah. I want to see how it works out. Yeah.
Phuntsok 9:28
All right. Okay that’s fair. That’s fair. Um, so I mean, you spoke about how you came for your community, your friends again. And I just wanted to mention how I mean, you know, that there’s a Sherpa Kyidug and if I’m not wrong, 75th and Broadway.
Sangay 9:46
Yeah.
Phuntsok 9:47
How important was the fact that it was so close to where you live now. Sherpa Kyidug.
Sangay 9:56
It’s an organization I’ve been involved since like, 2000, 2001. I’ve been volunteering since and in different levels, not just outsider, but I was in the Board of Trustees for seven years and in the executive board for like two years. And I still, I still volunteer as a… in any capacity that I can. And it’s a great community center. It runs you know, a lot of adult classes for religion and language classes, language and dance classes for the youth, young ones. And he has a very successful soccer programs, which are part of, you know, very, yeah. Yeah, I’m very involved. And it’s doing a great job.
Phuntsok 11:00
Yeah. And you mentioned religion, how important is religion in your, in your life?
Sangay 11:07
I’m not very religious, but it plays a big part in in our lives because we were brought up in that way. The real religion plays a big part in all of our lives, I guess,
Phuntsok 11:29
In the Sherpa community or are you saying…
Sangay 11:31
Yes in the Sherpa communities.
Phuntsok 11:35
TThat’s great that we have a place that we can meet up for something like that. I appreciate the fact that you helped run it. That’s amazing. I’m onto more lighter things. I mean, what do you like to eat in Jackson Heights? What are your favorite restaurants?
Sangay 11:54
Oh, well, I yeah. I love all kinds of Nepalese dishes. And I don’t have a particularly favorite one. I go to all all the restaurants and I try all the Nepalese dishes. The most favorite one is momo of course. Yeah, yeah. But-
Phuntsok 12:18
Are there any. Sorry. Go ahead
Sangay 12:21
Yeah. Yeah, I like I, like I said, there are about 40, 50 restaurants in Jackson Heights. I visited maybe 30 of them already. So, you know, I don’t have a particular favorite one.
Phuntsok 12:36
So in quarantine, if you were to say, oh, let’s go get some momos was there like, one restaurant that comes to mind? Would you say oh, let’s try a new restaurant.
Sangay 12:43
Yeah, yeah, I try my best to try new ones.
Phuntsok 12:50
So what was the most recent one that you’ve been to?
Sangay 12:54
The most recent Momo I got from? What was it? I think it was Spicy Tibet.
Phuntsok 13:05
Spicy Tibet
Sangay 13:06
Yeah.
Phuntsok 13:07
I’ve actually had that. That’s great. Yeah, it’s really good. And you like there?
Sangay 13:12
Yeah, very.
Phuntsok 13:14
That’s great. That’s great. Um, I mean, while we’ve read through these questions pretty… is there anything else you’d like to say about Jackson Heights? I mean,
Sangay 13:24
I love this community. It’s very diverse. It’s not just the South Asian. We have a huge a South Asian community here. But there are lots of other communities as well. I know we all you know, living happily together. So it’s, it’s a fun neighborhood to be in.
Phuntsok 13:46
And how would you I mean, I personally have haven’t had any problems, but I’m just wondering, safety wise, you know, with this Asian American hate going around. Do you feel safe and Jackson, nice walking around with your family?
Sangay 13:59
I feel very safe. I haven’t had any problems.
Phuntsok 14:03
That’s great to hear. Well, I mean, I guess that’s it. I appreciate you for taking time out of your day to come answer questions.
