Why Paterson, New Jersey, Is Famous in Lima, Peru
Thousands of Peruvian emigrants have turned a city of 150,000 into the unofficial capital of their home country’s diaspora.
PATERSON, N.J.—Guillermo Callegari Balarezo first came here on a Saturday morning in August of 1962, carrying only one bag. He arrived at a time when, he says, “there were about 11 Peruvians in Paterson.” One of those 11 was supposed to pick him up, but after some time passed, he went into a Puerto Rican restaurant to ask if there were any Peruvians around. “They are coming,” was the response.
Soon after, a group of Peruvians, including the nephews of the man who was set to pick him up, arrived to play pool. Callegari, now 85, recalls how one of the nephews soon took him to an auto
