I got better job, better life, better way to live

Interviewer: Gabriel Salas
Interviewee: Guillermo Alberto Salas Ledezma
 

What is your full name?

Guillermo Alberto Salas Ledezma.

What is your nationality?

Costa Rican.

What is your date of birth?

2-10-53.

Where were you born?

San Jose, Costa Rica.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

August 7, 1977.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

Because I like to travel

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I like the weather of my country and I don't like the way we work and we got not money.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I don't choose Philadelphia, they brought me here.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

By air, airplane, by boat or car.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

A friend of mine left me live with him.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

Alone

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

Music, because I use to play with a group

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

Change? Because I got married here, is a lot different, 'special the weather, we have no snow. I see a lot snow here something a never see before.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expecting to have a better job and made more money than I use to make in my country.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I just came to with a dream to play with a big band which I never did, but I learn how to be a mechanic so I learn something that help me a lot here.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

The different before and now, because before I don't know, I don't have nothing. I don't have no wife and I don't have kids. I don't know English, now I speak English a lot and I got a wife and family, better job.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

The only thing I can think I use to play in a group and I don't want to leave it but that the only thing I sacrifice.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

I came to this country legal, but I stay a little while longer than I suppose to stay so I got problem with emigration.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I just got $200 when I came here and my girlfriend give it to me.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

It was very hard, but by knowing people and get use to the languish and the weather.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Because I got better job, better life better way to lives, so I think it was.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Well, when I came to this country I got 5 grade only, then I went here to Lincoln Tech. So to be a mechanic.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, because I like this country and I am happy here.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

The only thing I believes is my family back there my mother and my brothers.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, who did you get money?

I was working in a restaurant for 5 years

Is there anything you would like to add?

Well yes, now I very happy here and I'm American Citizen I speak a littler more English than before, I like it ; I'm very happy to be here.