rodriguez01.jpg From left to right: Laisa (turning 19, student); Beatriz (20, housewife); her husband Fabian (21, a US marine just back from his second tour of duty in Iraq); and between them their three-year-old son, also Fabian; Victoria "Vicky" Rodriguez (13, student)

rodriguez02.jpg Although the presidential election will be decided in other parts of the US (Kerry is expected to win a comfortable victory in California), posters and banners serve as a reminder that November 2 is voting day in local elections too. San Diego, California

rodriguez03.jpg Sonia waits by a friendÕs car outside the Sherman Community Centre. ÒWhat we are doing here today, to commemorate the death of beloved ones on the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that back home takes place in the actual graveyard. Here in San Die

rodriguez04.jpg Sonia and her brother Armando listen to Teresa expressing her views on being a Hispanic citizen in the US. She says that she's grateful the opportunities she's had here, but adds that it is only when she crosses the border into Mexico that she feels trul

rodriguez05.jpg Sonia takes a break from her office to have lunch in San Diego's Little Italy. Behind her on the television, John Kerry receives support from Bill Clinton, who has found the energy to come out in support of the Democratic candidate in the crucial final we

rodriguez06.jpg Pilar Arballo relaxes in Chicano Park in downtown San Diego. Paintings, graffiti and murals like the one behind her decorate the concrete walls and pillars of 1970s park, a space that has been taken over by the Hispanic community to express their cultural

rodriguez07.jpg Sonia, Peruvian-born Carla Lorenzo and Mexican Lin Gonzalez attend a meeting at a friend's house. They are discussing what to do for the coming demonstration against the war. Sonia's and Lin's sons have just arrived back from Iraq, while Carla's husband a

rodriguez08.jpg The pouring rain ruined the plans that Pablo's wife and her anti-war group had to hold a vigil with candles for the fallen soldiers this evening. But everyone is still going to a forum organised by the coalition Sonia works for, where the November 2 elect

rodriguez09.jpg The veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen endorsed Senator Kerry in Madison, Wisconsin, in front of 80,000 people. But the front cover image sits unnoticed on the breakfast table as Pablo rushes around the house. He is about to go out to bring balloons and a b

rodriguez10.jpg When Laisa eventually comes into the living room she finds the rest of the family ready for the celebration of her 19th birthday. San Diego, USA, 29.10.2004

rodriguez11.jpg After the cake and the gifts, the Rodriguez family heads to the Viejas Casino in Alpine, some 45 minutes drive from the RodriguezÕs. On the arrival they indulged themselves with a vast buffet and then took their chances at the slot machines. I was not all

rodriguez12.jpg "For the last 40 years I have been smoking at least a pack of cigarettes a day. I have never tried to quit but it's about time to stop smoking now as I got emphysema last year. I know smoking is a bad thing but what can I do, I enjoy it!" - Carolina Rodri

rodriguez13.jpg Sonia and her colleagues from the coalition she works for spent a few hours this afternoon putting together the decorations for this weekend's Day of the Dead commemorations. One of Sonia's friends, Imelda, made this altar in homage to her father Nicolas

rodriguez14.jpg Carolina shows a picture of herself with four of her children, Sonia, Mireya, Sandra and Salvador, in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1968. Sao Diego, USA, 30.10.2004

rodriguez15.jpg Vicky asks Sonia for some pocket money and is given $20. Vicky complains and asks for more. Later on they all went out shopping. San Diego, USA, 30.10.2004

rodriguez16.jpg The Rodriguez family gathers for Halloween. Carolina is joined by her three daughters and three of her grandchildren. The family takes this event seriously. Every year they spend the day together, eat delicious food and laugh at each others' fancy dress c

rodriguez17.jpg Pablo shows the picture he has just taken with his mobile of Carolina, her daughter Sandra and greatgrandson Luis Alberto Herrera on Halloween Day. Carolina pretends she is shy and covers her face. Photo: Eduardo Martino, San Diego, USA, 31.10.04

rodriguez18.jpg Fabian is very energetic. The red costume only made him more devilish. Here he is running around the house with Cristian on Halloween day. San Diego, USA, 31.10.2004

rodriguez19.jpg Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand É San Diego, California, 31.10.04

rodriguez20.jpg Pablo is disappointed that his vote is going to be a provisional one, meaning that it's going to be counted separately and by hand. This happens because without his request, he has been classified as a permanent absentee voter. San Diego, USA, 02.11.2004

rodriguez21.jpg Sonia's colleagues work hard all day phoning people to check if they have voted and to see if they need help getting to a polling station on election day. Here Veronica Garcia works the telephone. San Diego, California

rodriguez22.jpg Sonia votes not only for Kerry but for the Democratic candidate for San Diego mayor and for several propositions dealing with issues of local interest, such as San Diego's environment, transport, etc. San Diego, California, 02.11.04

rodriguez23.jpg At night Sonia comes back home after a long day calling people to vote. Now, she joins the whole nation in front of the TV waiting for the results. Here, Sonia watches John Edwards make a brief appearance in the DemocratsÕ Boston headquarters.