The story Daniel Gomez and his wife, Patricia, are telling isnt one they imagined would include so much frustration and disappointment.
Life was supposed to be much better when they left Mexico City with their two young daughters for the promise of good fortune and happiness in Vancouver. For me, since I was a little kid, I always thought about Canada, says Daniel before his wife added: Canada is famous in Mexico. We always saw the advertising for this country and how it was beautiful.
The couple is sitting at a table in the Hogans Alley Café at the corner of Union and Gore streets. Its late Tuesday afternoon and they are the only people in the place.
Theres a reason for that: They own the café. Theres also a reason the café, which they took over in February 2012, is closed early: Business hasnt been as good as they were told it would be and they cant afford to hire extra staff.
I thought I would be a successful businessman but now Im a barista, says Daniel, a trained accountant who looks drained after another day at the café. But Im really happy, despite all the troubles, and ready to start our new life in Canada.
Their story of immigration is a complicated one they told in painstaking detail. It involves being misled by several people, including an immigration consultant in Mexico and business people in Vancouver.
Money was at the root of it a lot of money the Gomezes spent that they believe they will never get back on what was supposed to be an investment in their future.
The experience left the couple bitter, stressed and reaching out to politicians, lawyers and the local Mexican consul, whom the Gomezes say, were not able to provide any solace to the family. Some people told us that was the way it is in this country for immigrants that it is a struggle and welcome to Vancouver, said Patricia, who is a trained massage therapist whose credentials are not recognized in Canada.
Daniel acknowledges he should have spent more time investigating his options for a business before immigrating but he is at a loss for words when attempting to reconcile the trust he put in people to get him here.
That, I dont understand, why people do that, he says. But maybe I lost my mind in this big dream of coming to Canada. I dont know.
So here they are, the couple says, not exactly living the dream but making the best of a situation in a community that was built largely on the struggle of immigrants from China, Italy and Japan. Theyve made some friends, their daughters enjoy their schools and they are learning more about the vibrant community in Strathcona, where they live in a basement suite.
And like immigrants before them, the Gomezes have relied on their heritage to carry them through. Theyve added Mexican food, served at breakfast and lunch, at a café sought out by locals more for coffee.
Is it a coffee shop or a restaurant? Daniel says of the question he gets from customers. I say its both. It doesnt matter to us why the people come here but as long as they leave happy.
Adds Patricia: When the people smile, you forget everything.
mhowell@vancourier.com
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