In the lands of the coffee, from the book, Searching for treasures
San Antonio del Oeste, Río Negro, Argentina
After a pause in the conversation, shared by both of them as they enjoyed the afternoon, Jon Jairo continued to talk.
“You see, at the fondas, the muleteers could sell stuff they carried and buy or trade for things they needed to continue their way on. In the fondas, they found the drinks and the women to drink with. A good drink, always wears a dress to dance with. The nights at the fondas were long-lasting. Under the moon and the stars, you could take out the cards and play while you drank. More than one of those gathered for the night, having had too much to drink, would brawl with someone else. With a little bit of luck, you could pick the winner, place your bet, and make a quick buck! Sometimes you lost. That’s natural because no one can always win. You just learn to deal with it, as easy as that! Later on, after having fought, they would shake and forget about it, laughing and friends forever! Those were the nights…”
“Sometimes, and frequently at that, they gathered to say the Rosary. They prayed for the souls in the Purgatory and for those of their relatives back at home. And, of course, they prayed to the Angel that kept them safe on the road! No doubt that they had good times during those nights!” he finished saying with a nostalgic tone, and in his gaze, he wandered off to those good times, the ones lived ago and enjoyed in ages long past, in other youthful moments that belonged to his past and lost in long-ago times.
Jean Marie observed him, curious about his age, how many years had he been around? It was impossible to think of him as a founder of the town back at the end of the XIX century. Just supposing.. what if Jon Jairo had really been born back at the beginnings of the last century. By this day and age, he would have to be at least a hundred and ten years old. He was intrigued by Jon Jairo, most definitely. Since the first moment, he seemed to be a person that was wrapped up in some kind of mystery, and something just didn’t add up with him.