The narrator makes the difficult decision to leave her beloved grandparents in El Salvador and make the journey to the Unites States to reunite with her parents. She describes a long journey by bus- making friends along the way- confronting her fear of crossing the dangerous river on an inflatable raft, and an anxious and perilous wait to be released from the coolers after reaching Immigration. The story ends with a sweet reunion with her close family and a brief meditation on the family she left behind.
Pre-Reading Activity:
- Think of a time you had to share something with a person you did not know. Some situations force us to be physically very close to someone. Maybe you shared a seat on a bus or train. Maybe you shared some food. Were you comfortable? How did you feel? What did you do or say to the other person? Sometimes it is a very awkward, uncomfortable situation, other times you make a new friend! Share this situation with your partner or in your group.
Post-reading:
- People sometimes say “you have to jump through hoops to get what you want or need”. In this story, the writer passes through many, many difficult and dangerous experiences during a long trip to get to her destination.
- With your group, complete the chart filling in each of the experiences the writer went through until she sees her family again.
Use this fillable timeline or create your own, any style you like.