In the lands of the coffee, from the book, Searching for treasures
Xelatenango City, Xelatenango, Guatemala
“We were a total of one hundred thirty-one families that arrived from Villarica, not one more, nor one less. All of us followed the town’s founder, a guy by the name of Pedro Pineda. You see how with a few folks, a lot of work, and a lot of dare-do all that you can see around you was accomplished!”
Jean Marie listened, quietly, and deeply thoughtful. Something just didn’t add up in all of this. One hundred years since the name changed to Marsella! It couldn’t be…
“So, this guy by the name of Pedro Pineda arrived with his son. They were the first to leave Villamaría. They established themselves in a place called Laziness, how that for a name? Laziness belonged to De Valencia, a tiny hamlet. They were allowed to settle in, for all those lands were unoccupied and full of growth. This happened somewhere in 1800, towards the end of the ’60s. You can imagine how long ago.”
“Pedro liked the place and went back with the good news to Villamaría. Lands open to colonizing in the south, rich and fertile lands ready to work on. You know how the gossip spreads in the towns. Some people thought it was an excellent opportunity while most laughed and looked away. That’s the way these things go, my friend. Some folks like their arepas nice and crisp, but when it’s time to plant the corn to make them, they’re nowhere to be found!
Pineda went to the market at Santa Rosa de Cabal to buy seed to sow and all the necessary stuff to build a farm. Shortly after, his wife, six sons, and Valeria, his only daughter, among so many men, left with him on his way back to set up a farm here. You need to have a strong-willed spirit to leave what you have behind and venture out to the unknown. Wouldn’t you agree?”