ABOUT
MAX

Born in Manizales, in the heart of the “Coffee Region.” Adopted as a baby and raised in Belgium. Belgian and Colombian. I’m building a bridge between my two countries, between my two realities.

After a career shaped and inspired by experts in the specialty coffee world in Belgium and Colombia, I returned to the Medellín Barista School in October 2022 to train as a barista. I then became a barista instructor there .

For two years, I guided students and groups of curious visitors from all walks of life there, thereby developing my“Experiencias Cafeteras” project.

Today, I am based in Brussels, where I am building the Belgian component of the project.

I speak Spanish, French and English. This allows me to share with you my love of coffee and a unique perspective on Colombia.

El BelgARISTA☕

A man pours coffee into a small glass cup while smiling. He is wearing a straw hat and a blue shirt, and has a towel draped over his shoulder. The scene takes place on a wooden table with glass cups lined up on it.
Logo featuring the text 'B ARISTA' in gold letters on a black background.
A young man in a red T-shirt and glasses looking out at a mountainous landscape from a lookout point, with a metal statue of a woman standing next to him.

Capitulo 1

Manizales - June 2019

Hola Familia,

Today, I've started writing my story on my smartphone to share with my Families, Friends, the people who matter to me and who support me. (Writing allows me to tell my story and my story to myself. 😉)

No doubt 1001 questions will arise. Ask them if they nag at you. But I won't answer them until I have the answers myself. For some of them, it may take some time (a lot).

So here's the "1st" chapter. In the rest of this post 😉

The meeting (Martes 26 de junio 2019)

The meeting point is at 2.00pm in 1 of the ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar) offices.

Like a good Colombian ☕, I set off when my being commands me, when I feel it's time. I'm ready. Like a good Belgian 🍟, I arrive at the office at 1:38pm.

Martha, who I think is the coordinator of the Manizales "adopciónes" section, chats to me and explains how the meeting is going to work. She tells me she's never done anything like this before. But everything is well thought out in terms of administrative and legal processes. Her mom's heart gives her the strength to barely tremble, and to live her emotions calmly.

1.50pm. Martha tells me that senora "Luz" has arrived and is talking to 2 psychologists to "prepare".

2.pm more or less pil, vamos! We cross the patio and enter the office we were in 2 years ago.

I meet my mother, Senora "Luz".

First of all, there are 5 of us. 3 to take care of us, making sure everything runs smoothly and fulfilling administrative obligations.

Three smiling people are taking a selfie together—a woman with a braid, a man wearing a cap, and a woman with freckles—in an indoor setting with a green wall and a plant in the background.

"How are you feeling?"

The feeling is indescribable. Happy, content, felices... No tengo palabra ni en francés ni en español. 2 strangers who meet, but the obvious link and the context create an emotion, a feeling that, at that moment, can only be experienced.

Very simply and naturally, we introduce ourselves and gradually the space is created for discussion. Senora Luz has 5 children, 1 of whom is right in front of her. She's seeing him for the first time since 1985.

At that time, I met my biological mom, but I now know that I have 2 brothers, 2 sisters and a nephew...more+.

No tengo palabra ni en francés ni en español. Life and my journey offer me the chance to meet them. Vamos, Con mucho gusto 😉 !

Maxime van Caillie
A person wearing a white hat is crossing a river on horseback.