Ernesto boards a train going northbound with José and his mother. The journey is long, and there are regular delays. There is a measles outbreak on the train. All of the families with children are held in El Nanchi for medical inspection. Ernesto gets measles the day after they arrive in the camp. Once he has recovered, his family waits for several days for the train to come back so they can complete their journey. They board another train, but the journey is very slow as they only travel by daylight. Part way through, the track ahead of them is blown up, and they are delayed once again. After two days, the train journey begins again, and they eventually arrive in Nogales. In Nogales, they meet American soldiers and workers, which confuses Ernesto. Ernesto eventually learns that they are in the United States. José goes to meet Gustavo and works on the railway in Sacramento. José tells Ernesto that he has to take care of his mother while they wait in Tucson for a pass and money so the family can reunite in Sacramento. In Tucson, Ernesto becomes fascinated with how different America is.