WHY choose SAN FRANCISCO?
Interview with Delmis Santos
David Santos: Where are you originally from?
Delmis Santos: I grew up in a rural area of San Pedro Sulo in Honduras.
David Santos: Why did you want to move to the United States?
Delmis Santos: Well Honduras is a third world country. Everything was limited for me growing up and we had to make the most out of the little things we had. The only way to do that is to migrate because social mobility is hard there, especially if you come from a poor family.
David Santos: What made you choose San Francisco?
Delmis Santos: Originally, my plan was to move to Miami. That is where some of my family members were and I would have a safety net with them. But one of my mother’s friends told me about San Francisco. She told me how it was so lively, diverse, and accepting. These were the 80s, so it was going through the after affect of the hippie movement. She made it seem as if I would have to worry about very little and that my life would be like a movie.
David Santos: When you arrived in San Francisco did you love the city?
Delmis Santos: Like any foreigner, I was having the time of my life on an adventure, but I was also homesick. It took me about two years to get fully adjusted. Remember Reyna? She was the first friend I ever made here. She Had lived in San Francisco for three years prior to me arriving. She is the one who really made fall in love with the city.
David Santos: How did you survive with knowing very little people?
Delmis Santos: Well, I was fortunate to have Reyna as an angel. She introduced me to some of her friends, helped me get a job and enroll in community college. I never felt alone because everyone was so kind. I lived on 24th and Mission. There used to be a multitude of small family owned shops. Whenever I needed something I would simply go ask reyna or sometimes a stranger. There were no barriers really because at the time the mission was full of immigrants.
David Santos: If you loved it so much, then why did we move?
Delmis Santos: Family. Your father and I wouldn’t be able to afford a house there. The one’s we could afford were too small and I wanted the best for you. In San Francisco we could barely afford a two bedroom condominium, but here [San Leandro] we were able to purchase this house that is three times the size of the condominium. Now you and your brothers are all able to have your own rooms and have your own backyard to play in.
David Santos: Where are you originally from?
Delmis Santos: I grew up in a rural area of San Pedro Sulo in Honduras.
David Santos: Why did you want to move to the United States?
Delmis Santos: Well Honduras is a third world country. Everything was limited for me growing up and we had to make the most out of the little things we had. The only way to do that is to migrate because social mobility is hard there, especially if you come from a poor family.
David Santos: What made you choose San Francisco?
Delmis Santos: Originally, my plan was to move to Miami. That is where some of my family members were and I would have a safety net with them. But one of my mother’s friends told me about San Francisco. She told me how it was so lively, diverse, and accepting. These were the 80s, so it was going through the after affect of the hippie movement. She made it seem as if I would have to worry about very little and that my life would be like a movie.
David Santos: When you arrived in San Francisco did you love the city?
Delmis Santos: Like any foreigner, I was having the time of my life on an adventure, but I was also homesick. It took me about two years to get fully adjusted. Remember Reyna? She was the first friend I ever made here. She Had lived in San Francisco for three years prior to me arriving. She is the one who really made fall in love with the city.
David Santos: How did you survive with knowing very little people?
Delmis Santos: Well, I was fortunate to have Reyna as an angel. She introduced me to some of her friends, helped me get a job and enroll in community college. I never felt alone because everyone was so kind. I lived on 24th and Mission. There used to be a multitude of small family owned shops. Whenever I needed something I would simply go ask reyna or sometimes a stranger. There were no barriers really because at the time the mission was full of immigrants.
David Santos: If you loved it so much, then why did we move?
Delmis Santos: Family. Your father and I wouldn’t be able to afford a house there. The one’s we could afford were too small and I wanted the best for you. In San Francisco we could barely afford a two bedroom condominium, but here [San Leandro] we were able to purchase this house that is three times the size of the condominium. Now you and your brothers are all able to have your own rooms and have your own backyard to play in.