People of the Mercado

Alfredo Noé Barrios grew up in Villa Nueva, one of the most populous cities in Guatemala, where the scars of the country’s 36-year civil war that ended in 1996 reveal themselves in the form of violent street gangs and drug cartels preying on children. At the volatile age of 13, Alfredo lost his father leaving his mother as the sole provider and caretaker for the family. Despite the mounting crime, Alfredo’s mother managed to steer him from the street gangs that would later claim the lives of several of his friends. Alfredo’s mother instilled in him a strong work ethic that facilitated opportunities for travel throughout the country and ultimately led him to start his own business of pork and chicken sales. Alfredo also developed skills as a butcher and charcutier, specializing in Guatemalan sausages, which helped supplement his income. Alfredo established a good life, he got married, and he and his wife had three children, two girls and a boy. At age 30, a bad business transaction dealt a devastating blow to Alfredo’s company, forcing him to look for a new source of income. Alfredo decided that his best option would be to migrate to the United States and painfully leave his young family behind.

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Immediately upon arriving in Los Angeles, Alfredo’s expertise in butchery and charcuterie, specifically in making longaniza, would gain him employment at Chichén Itzá Restaurant at Mercado La Paloma. There, he would learn the intricacies of Yucatán cuisine, in which he found many parallels to Guatemalan dishes. Alfredo rose as a leader among his peers through much sweat and dedication and eventually ascended to kitchen manager. Alfredo’s wife joined him in the United States, and together they were able to send money back home to his mother to care for their children.

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Alfredo has never fully acclimated to life in the United States; he profoundly misses his family and community. Although violence still riddles the otherwise picturesque city of Villa Nueva, Alfredo finds solace in knowing that his mother is helping to raise his children, instilling in them the same values that she did in him. Alfredo’s sacrifice has afforded his children financial stability and a good education, his eldest daughter, now 18, is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology Management.  Alfredo’s younger children, 15 and 13 years old, are currently enrolled in high school and plan to pursue higher education in Guatemala.  Alfredo has also purchased a home in Villa Nueva, which he will soon pay off, bringing him one step closer to his dream of reuniting with his family.