I came with the whole shyness of the world because I knew he was sleeping his nap, but in minutes he was already occupying his armchair, with his cuban sports shirt of an impeccable white and his used hat.

We invade his house of the street José Ramón Sánchez No. 61, in the municipality of Minas. With 1,75 meter height and a walk with precaution, he will be: 114 years!!! this May 10. I know that this is the only opportunity, perhaps for his 115 he is interviewed; that's why I did not want to lose the opportunity.

He was born in the Republic of Haiti in 1901 and it is shown in his peculiar form of speaking, although he carries an intense Cuban identity. Being a child he traveled with a few uncles to Venezuela; this country welcomed him up to seven years, when the coasts of Santiago de Cuba received him. He grew between barracks, bateyes, cane plantations, always in the agriculture. “I lived in a batey in Dos Ríos, where Martí was killed”. This way he said to me with supreme safety.

“Then I went away for the surroundings of Birán, where I knew the Castro Ruz family and Fidel”. He mentioned to me that in this epoch, Cuba was dominated by the Americans: "But later things were changing”, he ensured. On having asked him if he had liked this change, he responded: "Uh!, of course, and Fidel was the head of everything”.

Emilio has never retired, he is a farmer and he has his "little land", which one of the daughters handles. He bathes and eats by himself. At the time of saying good bye he ensured to me that he would not go to bed any more, waving his hand to say good-bye and with a clear desire:

“Good luck”.

Translated by BA in English Language, Manuel Barrera Téllez

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