An Amazing Man

Hi! M.A. from Long Island, New York here, finally getting around to the blog. This trip is great! We're seeing and doing so many things! It's hard to believe it's almost time to go home.

Before we leave I'd like to tell you about Edelman Blanco, one of the farmers participating in this study. Edelman is young (28, I think), and tall, dark and handsome, but that's beside the point. He's one of the kindest and gentlest men I've ever met. He spent the day with the group as we worked on his farm, accompanied by his dog, Junior. Nati and I were working on coffee beans, and Edelman stayed with us for a while. He spoke to us of his farm, his dreams, his problems as a coffee farmer, his wife and daughter, and Junior.

As a younger man, Edelman spent five years living and working in New Jersey and learned to speak English fluently. When he had saved enough money, he returned to Costa Rica to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning a coffee farm. It's a small farm, so he must also work a part-time job to make ends meet, but he feels it's worth it. And he hopes to add to his farm someday, but it's not easy to earn a living plus save money.

I think what impressed me most was his love for his family. He's been married for 6 years, and must love his wife very much. Very few Costa Rican men wear wedding rings -- Edelman is one of them. He spoke lovingly of his three year old daughter, telling stories about her. And then there's Junior. The dog keeps Edelman company in the fields, in his truck and at home. I can imagine the two of them wandering through the tightly packed coffee trees, losing sight of each other but always knowing where the other one is.

And then I fell down and tumbled through three terraces on the mountainside, lost my glasses for a moment, bumped my head -- if only there were film of it. But that's not why I mention it. Edelman helped me out of the field, slowing making our way along a terrace to the road and them walked me slowly up the hill to where the cars were parked. He treated me kindly and gently, with the respect that he would show his -- mother.

That's my story of a most amazing man.