More coffee action, archival research, and more!

Today I worked a few hours picking my neighbor’s coffee. You may not be able to pick your neighbor’s nose, but you can, in fact, pick his coffee. It is about a kilometer from my house and up a ways. I felt lucky to have such a nice view (see photo of me with nice view). Yesterday, I worked in my office, trying to organize the mounting archival materials that I am encountering in my archival research. Monday, I went to San Jose to go to my favorite library, La Biblioteca Nacional. I took photos of old newspaper articles that featured information about the area where I am working. (They won't let me make copies.)

The woman in the photo was featured in a spread about Acosta that ran in a section of La Nacion called “Gentes y Paisajes.” This story is from 1976. I like Doña Herminia because she wanted to meet Fidel Castro. I would like to meet him too. I imagine Doña Herminia has passed on to the other side, and I imagine she never imagined she’d make the internet but now, here she is, for all to see. This year would mark around year 129 for her. Aaahh, what a face. She did not live in the zone where I am researching, but rather in San Ignacio, the municipal center of Acosta. Too bad I did not get an interview with her. I think I could have done a better job than this reporter.

This afternoon, I am leaving for Montecillos on a cattle truck. I am going to learn about where the cattle go to meet their maker. I have to spend the night in close proximity to a slaughterhouse and I am a bit curious about the smell. Anyway, I will try to post some photos of my adventure on the big truck and all. You know, just to give you something to look forward to.