Found Item

Today, I found a diary entry by my tortured grandmother, wife of Jose Arcadio, under my bed. Below is the entry:

Dear Diary,

Today, mi hermano, Jose Arcadio returned home. I have no idea what I’m going to do! I’ve started eating earth again. I love Pietro Crespi but Jose Arcadio is so strong, and muscular, and masculine. I’m never going to marry Pietro anyway – Amaranta won’t allow it. Maybe I should just leave him and go visit Jose Arcadio to cut everyone any more trouble. But Jose Arcadio has such a bad reputation now with Ursula because he’s selling himself to women for money. How could I ever be sure that he would really love me? I have to keep this short, my thumb hurts too much to write, I’ve been sucking it so hard that I have a callus on it. Oh, but, I’m so attracted to Jose Arcadio. But what would Pietro do if I cheated on him? They’re polar opposites – he wouldn’t be able to handle it. Oh, diary, I don’t know what to do… No! Tomorrow, I will go to him during the siesta hour and see what happens. If he accepts me, it’s meant to be; if he rejects me, then there’s nothing to worry about, but at least I would have peace of mind.

Until tomorrow,

Rebeca Buendia

R.I.P Great-Grandfather Jose Arcadio Buendia

Today, the founder of my village, the most influential man in Macondo, my namesake and great grandfather, Jose Arcadio Buendia passed away.

Tortured by insanity, he was moved from the chestnut tree back into the house by Ursula and seven other men. Jose Arcadio Buendia led the expedition to Macondo, he arranged houses so that every citizen had the same amount of sunlight and access to the water, and he was greatly inspired by visits from the gypsies. Melquiades, his great friend, encouraged his curiosity, exposed him to cultures of the world and piqued his interests in the sciences. My great-grandfather was enthusiastic about daguerreotypes, and constructing and deconstructing mechanisms. His research ultimately led him to discover that the world was round.

I am deeply saddened by his passing and his lasting contribution to the world is immense. I wish he was around longer so that I could learn from him.

Rest In Peace, Great-Gramps,

Jose Arcadio Segundo Buendia