I am excited but nervous. Tomorrow I will be going to America. I do not know how long my journey will be or how it will go although, I pray that no obstacles come my way. My route is to swim the Rio Grande then cut the metal fence and enter the border. I will then do a 2 mile trek to the city of California. When I reach California I will visit my friend Enrique and he will give me a lift to San Diego, where I begin my new life.

Tonight we have a party. All mia familia and friends come to celebrate.We sing and dance and pray. We talk about what lies ahead in the ‘promised land’ People wish me luck and tell me not to forget them.

I say in return, “although I may live like an American I will never forget my Mexican roots.” Even though I am 20 years of age Mama holds me tight and says to me that I will do my father proud. She then whispers into my ear “deiar que las estrellas que llevan a los Estados Unidos.

” This means ‘let the stars carry you to America.’ This was the Mexican way of saying good luck. As I sleep at night I am thinking about all the things that may come my way like fortune, wealth, fun and excitement. America seems like a place where I can forget about my worries and focus on what I want.This is the route I will be taking to get to San Diego. Many perish in these waters.

Whilst trying to cross the border.