Making her way from Morelos, Mexico, my grandmother had high hopes of making a life of herself that would allow her to support her father - who remained in Mexico - financially. Migrating from a small town deep in Mexico, my grandmother had an extensive travel, all at the age of 22, while pregnant with my tio. As my grandmother had family that resided in Santa Ana, California, her intent of this journey was to be with them. Making her way to Baja California, San Luis to be specific, my grandmother settled there temporarily to accumulate money by working in the fields. Earning enough money to make ends meet, my grandmother then continued her journey to the United States. From then on, her journey towards the border consisted of traveling by bus. At this point, my grandmother had to calculate a way to cross the border without being sent back to Mexico - as she did not have her papers to enter the states. To be transported over, my grandmother had to pay “Coyotes,” as they were called, so they could provide falsified documentation for her once needed. Experiencing her struggles to cross over, ultimately being a success, made my grandmother into the woman she is today. Reflecting on her travel, my grandmother stayed true to her roots through the ring she wore infinitely. Finding the motivation in this ring that was passed down by her mother and so on, my grandmother was able to built a life for herself that was all she had hoped for. 

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant