My Journey, My Life

Book excerpt: For Aniceto Enriquez, immigrating to the United States from Guatemala as an illegal alien was one of the riskiest adventures he could undertake. In My Journey, My Life, Enriquez tells the story of leaving his hometown of Livingston, Guatemala, to escape political unrest in the country. Though the journey was fraught with danger and sacrifice, Enriquez and his sister, Lency, left their seaside home in May of 1982 to seek a better life in the United States. From his first job as a dishwasher at a diner in Manhattan and promotion to cook, to learning the English language; meeting his wife, Linda; and earning college degrees, Enriquez provides a meaningful narrative about how faith, self-confidence, and hard work play a role in leading a successful and enriching life. Enriquez tells his story through the historical lens of his heritage. With a unique perspective, My Journey, My Life teaches about Guatemala, the Garifuna people and their culture, and Central America at large. When Enriquez and his sister raced through the tunnel to El Paso, Texas, they had only their dreams to guide them. Though the journey was full of turmoil and uncertainty, Enriquez found light in education, love, and family.