The Cacao Farmer

We live for anticipation, but the unanticipated events usually teach us more. It was a normal day. I was riding the train back from New Haven. It was a fully booked train, but I was able to snatch a window seat. I hoped I would be able to sit alone since people can be loud and distracting. However, within a few minutes, a normal looking old American man who looked in his 60s plopped down next to me. Since there were no views to see anyway, I decided conversation might be nice.

Our conversation:

"Which stop are you getting off?" I smiled and asked.

"Philadelphia to visit a friend." He replied.

"Oh, cool." I said.

"Yeah, I was just in Boston for a cacao conference. Where are you off to?"

"I'm riding to the last stop, Washington. Cacao, like the bean?" I was intriguied.

"Yes, I am a cacao farmer in El Salvador." He said.

"Are you from El Salvador?"

"Nope." He smiled.

"Then how'd you get there?"

"I met a girl. Her family owns the business. I actually grew up in Virigina."

"Really, I live close to there."

Out of his pocket he pulled out two cacao beans, handing one to me and said, " You can eat these raw too. They have a nutty flavor, it grows on you." He peeled the skin and ate it.

And so on, we ended up talking about his trip to Antartica and he gave me some life advice. Growing up in a place like Virginia, most people don't have wild ambitions, but you never know where life will take you. The most important thing is to keep an open mind.