TO STAY OR NOT TO STAY?
You would have thought that after risking his life to get to the US, now that everything was starting to look good, Al would not have seriously considered returning back home. I figured I would not, but what do I know?Al had finally made it to Miami, where he a had a few relatives. He now could spend holidays with family, and they certainly were eager to invite him at any and all family events. For charming Al was the life of the party. He was liked by adults and children, he was liked by co-workers… everyone loved the guy! He helped people on the bus, in the neighborhood, at work. He would come from work, and go help someone paint their home, or help them move, whatever.
Al was chased off the train La Bestia by Federales (he guesses); he and some buddies had to jump off the train into bushes of spines, thorns and prickles, where horse-riding Federales would not follow them. About riding the train,"la bestia", you don’t wish that kind of hell on anyone. To start with, you have to run to catch the train, grab a handle and jump up into a wagon. Of course, you only get one chance of doing this right, and no training. Then, you get to ride on top of the wagons, and sleep there too. You tie yourself to the roof, because some fall asleep and fall off. Some guys take turns sleeping, to protect the rest of the group. Someone has to watch obstacles and Federales. You could lose everything you have by falling asleep in front of the wrong crowd, even if you don't fall off.
Having jumped into prickles bushes to escape federales, hardly able to walk, having lost all possessions, Al was fortunately not left behind by his buddies. He would have to remain in hiding in the general vicinity, until able to chase the train again, in order to continue his trip. Turns out, all of them having dispersed at the escape, cautiously started returning to the area. Those without any money had to beg for food, steal clothes from clothesline, shower in rivers, move and hide until who knows when.
Al befriended a woman selling fast food in the street, for days frequenting her taco stand, until having charmed her and won her trust, she took the whole gang into her home. He appears to have won her trust, soon right into her bedroom, right into her bed. The widow even gave him the clothes of deceased Mr. Fastfood; he was the right size in many ways, apparently. Anyway, you know where this episode is leading to, and it does go there.
In Miami, after a string of temporary jobs, he found a pretty steady stream of jobs doing construction work. So he learned – on the job – a little carpentry, a little masonry. He did what he was told to do, arrived on time, brought his own tools, worked hard, stayed out of trouble. Got in great shape, thanks to his line of work. He even picked up some English skills, and often would speak realistic English-sounding gibberish with a straight face, to everyone’s amusement.
Back home, all were appreciative of the money he sent generously and pretty consistently. I wondered, isn’t that what he hoped to accomplish in the US? Everyone agreed that he could not provide for his loved ones working back home, not like the money he made over here… and the thing is, Al already made it over here! No more risks involved ( well, ok, no more life-threatening risks ).
We all miss Al. Buddy, I raise my Corona to you, cheers!
He had previously spent some time in Texas, where he never
felt comfortable walking the streets. But he did find work and appreciation at
his new job. Mind you, that's without speaking English! Afterwards, he moved to
Washington, D.C., where he also found work, but he did not like the town.
Throughout these periods, he sent most of his money to his ex-wife to support
their two kids, and to his mother.
Once I asked him how did he decide to come to the US, and he explained that after a night of binge drinking with his buddies, someone dared him. The next morning a few of them were still talking about doing it, and he decided to go too. He left his wife some of his money, so he says, packed a bag, met his friends and off they went. About a year later, he made it to Miami.
Once I asked him how did he decide to come to the US, and he explained that after a night of binge drinking with his buddies, someone dared him. The next morning a few of them were still talking about doing it, and he decided to go too. He left his wife some of his money, so he says, packed a bag, met his friends and off they went. About a year later, he made it to Miami.
As you would expect, for these migrants a lot of horror stories take place while crossing Mexico. That’s what you heard,
right? But some of the most generous, charitable acts happen in Mexico too, and we
hardly hear about those.
One
day, Al and the backhome gang (now joined by a local) sneak out in the middle
of the night, hop onto la Bestia once more... putting an end to the honeymoon of Mr. Charming
Passerby and the generous widow Ms. FastFood.
Fast forward to months later, skip Texas, skip NYC, and skip DC…
Occasionally he would get drunk, and I mean DRUNK, this
guy could drink. Problem is, he mixed any liquor and beer freely, to predictable
results. It was at those moments where he would break down, and cry at his fortune, of missing everything he left behind… His ex-wife was
still in communication with him, and waited for his return, and he missed their children.
One day, around Christmas time, he announced he was
returning home, that he would walk right into the immigration office and turn
himself in. He gave away his tools and possesions, sent some money home, said goodbye to
everybody, and just like that, he left.
RELATED VIDEO
Meet La Bestia (The Beast), a freight train that immigrants hop on in order to cross Mexico up north. The dangerous ride requires people to catch the train as it moves, and ride on the rooftop of a wagon. In addition of the possibility of getting caught by Mexican Federales, riders can run into thieves and organized gangs. Some riders fall asleep, falling or getting knocked down from the train.
from TELESURTV NEWS - report about immigrant train ride on Mexico's La Bestia
por NOTICIERO TELESURTV - exposición fotográfica que muestra trayecto de inmigrantes
por tren en México (La Bestia)
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