By Olivia Provan and Reilly Pruitt

Ricardo Guzman came to Macalester from Honduras and Hong Kong, bringing with him his love for fashion, partying, and plastic surgery. We sat down with the man in pink to discuss the downside to being an RA, dreams of medical school and why “coming out” on Mother’s Day isn’t always the best idea.We know you have been all over the world. Where do you consider home?

RG: I grew up in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. I went to the American school there. After that I went to boarding school, the United World College in Hong Kong. It was there that I first heard about Macalester.

How did you like going to school in Hong Kong, a place so far away from home?

I loved Hong Kong. The last year of high school was the best year of my life. I lived in the city, which is like the New York of Asia. There was so much to do there: nightlife, partying, clubbing. I went out Wednesday through Saturday, just getting wasted with my friends. It was also when I finally became comfortable with my sexuality and was open with it.

Had you not come out to your family and friends before that?

I was never courageous enough. Honduras has a very Catholic, narrow-minded and conservative culture. When I got to Hong Kong I said, “Fuck it! I’m Ricky and I’m gay.” It was the rebirth of Ricky. I never felt that freedom until I left Honduras.

So you came out to your family while you were in Hong Kong?

I came out to my mom on Mother’s Day. It was not pleasant. She went to therapy and bought a plane ticket to come see me the next week. I’m happy I did it, but maybe I should not have done it on that day.

What do you miss most about Honduras?

I miss the food. And my mother. And my father. And my brother and sister. And my grandmother. Honduras is a great place to visit. There are three worlds there. There’s the Mayan culture and its ruins. The beaches are like paradise. They have white sand and are like Cancun but without all the tourists au natural. Oh, and the rainforests.

Was it a hard adjustment to deal with the weather change in Minnesota?

Not really. My good friend Kate recommended to me that I get a down jacket. I bought it off line and it cost like four hundred dollars, but it has saved me. I like the seasons here because it mixes it up. There are so many different clothes to wear. Plus, I still go back to Honduras in the summer and I get to to tan.

Do you think you will ever live in Honduras again?

Everyone says, “Why would you want to go back to the Third World?” But I can’t stay away. I want to travel to Europe and I want to go to graduate school for psychology or medical school. But I do want to go back, I think 10 years would be the longest I wouldn’t live there.

It sounds like you really love Honduras. Was it hard for you to adjust to life at Mac?

First year wasn’t too bad. It was a year of adaptation. I was immature and partied too much. Second year I was an RA and I hated it. I didn’t like to be police; I couldn’t care less if people were getting high. Not that I do it, if you need to de-stress. Plus, I was 21 and I felt for all the little first- years. I think the legal drinking age here should be 18. Where I come from people start drinking at age 11. Whatevs. By my third year I had matured a lot. I became much more studious, but I am still the same Ricky. I never say no to a party, and come 10:00 p.m. on Friday I have no connection to school work and I want to have fun.

Where are your favorite places to go out in the area?

On Thursdays I love The Saloon. It’s a gay club with good pop and techno music. I love clubbing and I love European DJ concerts.

Do you find the Mac social scene lacking in excitement?

No! I love on-campus parties; I just wish Res Life wasn’t so strict. You don’t have to walk ten miles and freeze to death. My most memorable Macalester experience was one of my parties in GCA. It was packed with all my friends. Am I going to get in trouble with Res Life for this?

Nope, you have immunity. How do you feel about graduating in the spring?

I’m going to miss my friends so much. Especially my beloved soulmate Mari and wonderful friend Evi. It’s going to be hard to leave everyone. I have met a lot of really great people here. But I’m excited to go to post grad and be rich.

What is your ideal job?

I want to be a plastic surgeon like on Dr. 90210. I think it would be fabulous. Dr. Ray is my inspiration.

Is Dr. 90210 your favorite TV show?

I?like it, but my favorite shows are “The Girls Next Door” and “The Simple Life.” Nicole Richie is my favorite. I?love her mischievious ways, but I?still can’t believe she’s pregnant. I?won’t believe it until I?see it. And I mean IT.

Once you have all that money, what do you plan on spending it on?

I love fashion. Dolce and Gabana is my favorite. Prada and Armani are more classic, but I love D & G’s flamboyance. I don’t get to wear stuff like that too often at Macalester unless I am going out on the weekends, or I have a crush.

What do you want people at Macalester to remember most about you?

There will only be one Ricky. No first year can ever be compared to me. I’m the only Ricky.