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My Father's Journey

  • Rogelio Gonzalez
  • Modesto, California
  • UNITED STATES, 01-21-2000
  • 18
My Fathers Journey The Journey began when friends of my dad returned to Michoacán and told him about their stories in their way to California. Everyone talked about all the opportunities people have to be successful in California. They also informed him about the different seasons to pick fruits in the fields. All of his childhood friends had different but quite similar perspectives of California. All defined it as a place where money can be made by hard work and dedication. They all came to California with one main reason; to earn money to support their families and to live better in Michoacán. One of his friends, “la Pajara,” offered to help him out as soon as he reached Oxnard, California with food, shelter, and a job. Everything seemed tempting, and since he was just a young nineteen year old man, who had everything in front of him. It didn’t take him long to make his decision. It was hard leaving his family behind; but he did not want his parents to have to deal with all the family needs. So, my father quit high school and set his mind to “ganar billetes verdes.” By pitching rides up north my father reached Tijuana, Mexico. It took him two days, but he finally reached one of his three main stops. In Tijuana he had a rough time because a lot of organized crime, prostitution, drugs, and corruption exist there. He saw how people were being taken advantage of and he couldn’t do anything to help them. He heard rumors there about the “Coyotes,” (Smugglers who illegally took people across the border), being corrupt as well. But none of those rumors stopped him from proceeding on to accomplishing his goal. While still in Michoacan, he managed to gather three thousand pesos. Which were just enough to pay the “Coyote” back in the 80’s. He negotiated to be dropped off in Los Angeles, California. Those three thousand pesos was the only money he ever had and he risked it all with the smuggler. My father said, “Pa’ cuando nos vamos?” Coyote responded, “Manana alas 10 pm en punto atras del billar. “En menos de lo que piensas estaras en Los Angeles, tu nuevo futuro te espera.” My dad felt secure about this guy because he had a lot of experience and he seemed to know what he was doing; plus he was referred by “la Pajara.” My dad was waiting for the Coyote to arrive behind the billiards place, but it turned out that he was not there. My father started to worry, he was all alone in Tijuana and he also felt a little fear. The danger of Tijuana finally got through him when he heard gun shots. Luckily, when he was getting ready to vanish the Coyote appeared. All kinds of people even a mother with a five year old was in this journey as well. My father was wearing a sweater, some ripped pants, and black shoes that were handed down by his older brother. The weather was chill and as the coyote walked his group through the dark and noiseless “cerro.” The people followed. They all walked for a couple of hours in the mountainous areas of the border. Surprisingly, the mother with the child was keeping up with the rest of the group. Sadly the group was spotted by immigration and everyone ran in different directions. Since there were only two Border Patrol men for the whole group, the slow ones were chased first. The Coyote sprinted down a road and my dad never lost sight of him. The lady with the child started panicking and ran with her child. The rest of the group disappeared from sight. My father saw the mother struggling, so he stopped, and told the mother, “Yo le ayudo, corra! corra! corra!” and grabbed the child and ran with him behind the mother and the Coyote. Luckily for them, the Border Patrol was busy taking care of the others and didn’t know where they had fled to. They hid for a while and then continued their journey. Of the more than fifteen people that were on their way to a new life, only four remained. They continued walking and the coyote said, “Ven esa luz? Cuando lleguenos alli, alli estara otra ven esperandonos para llevarnos a San Diego.” The light seemed pretty close, but the more they walked the further it appeared to be. They walked and walked and never seemed to reach the light. After walking for hours they finally got to rest. The light that seemed to be far like the galaxy was closer than ever. Near a road way, the Coyote made a call. He called the guy that was going to take them up north. In a few minutes a white dirty old van pulled up and they entered. After seeing a green sign that said Chula Vista; my dad at last knew that he was in American grounds. He was tired but he was not going to let that bring him. His mind was set now just to pass the next check point and from there on a smooth ride approached. The San Clemente check point was not a threat to them at all. At the time the checkpoint was not in operation. In a couple of hours he was already in Los Angeles, California. There his friend “la Pajara” was waiting for him. After being dropped off by el Coyote, my father established himself in Oxnard, California. In Oxnard he encountered some problems; but his ambition to succeed never delayed him. He kept in touch with his family and sent money to support them. He went through all of that so his family wouldn’t have to struggle. Healways wanted the best for his family. Now we are all here in this wonderful country of opportunities trying to make our American dream prosper. I would never know how to thank him for all his done for us.