Emilie:

It was the "pisca" - you go where the next harvesting is needed - at least
that is what my grandparents did - they also traveled throughout the US - all
the way to Washington state before ending up in the middle of Michigan.  My
aunts/uncles/mom never shared their hardship,except for bits and pieces - the
stinging hands from picking peppers, the potato sacks converted to
dresses/shirts, etc....

    My fondest memory was from my oldest uncle Alfred -
he always wanted to have his own piece of land to harvest and grow crops, and he
was able to meet his goal in Carson City, Michigan - they were the only Mexican
family there as well.

    Except for two of their siblings, the rest of the
10 siblings settled in Detroit - also not very populated with Mexicans - but at
least they did have a torillera.  Their preparation of food had to be
accommodated to existing and available ingredients - so for example, they made
enchiladas out of chile powder and flour - not bad tasting, but not the same as
made with chile ancho.

 

Esperanza