dedicated to Grandma and my Aunt Chris Silke!
With half an hour late, the plane from the U.S. came in sometimes, and my mother and I fell to long time not seeing in your arms! I was super looking forward to it and was curious to see what we will do everything. I could not wait to her the Costa Rican life a little closer together.
After greeting the family, of course gabs erstmal cooked a meal of my Costa Rican Abuela, the grandmother. Sopa Azteka there. I have known the Mexican soup, which consists mainly of tomatoes and is topped with chicken, tacos, avocado and cheese, found favor with my mom. I think it was the best soup she has ever eaten. After distribution of 10 kilos of chocolate, bars and all other souvenirs from the home we were still half asleep, our rough plan for the next few weeks. First, we wanted to Montezuma on the Pacific Ocean on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. Further, it should go to the volcano Arenal, Costa Rica is a must for all travelers, one of the still active volcanoes in the country surrounded by attractive countryside. Monteverde cloud forest we wanted not to be missed. And in the upcoming birthday was on the Caribbean coast of reggae music and Rasta stoner are celebrated - "that they should not be missed," I thought to myself only.
After the morning and the splash of further felt 39 849 relatives who wanted to know all the mom of Benita, but then it went first time to my job. So much had Mama heard, and wanted to give up now but sometimes even a picture of the whole. And the impression is sitting. Anthony was very upbeat and wanted a picture with Mama, in which he sweat only an open, white shirt with. Most of all he would have taken place. The impression of the first day on my work, she best describes himself: Curious
I was all that I knew about Benita's blog posts that much: it was exactly as it has already been described in detail : the mother should be just as "cock of the walk," as the daughter. First, we had a very nice and interesting conversation with Wilberth that - what I has honored - Benita praised to the skies, with her very close member and the use of interns. It was great that I could learn from Wilberth still so much more about the project and the work. Astonished, I was also think about the interest of some interns (especially Anthony and David) about how I do on the project, setting up etc.. I made all the courage, they should persevere and fight for themselves, but obviously that was for her only all empty talk, because both - Anthony and David - have since left the project in time again. A pity, but what the heck. All in all, I am glad to have been there and know everything have to. So I understand but now a lot better if Benita will report back.
Anthony and Benita!
Wilberth and Mama 
Anthony at several times daily training 
visit to the Rose's in the Hogar Zoe 
The impression of San Jose was probably from rather meager. The same bad feeling as I had to start well Mama. She repeatedly stressed how they would be stuck without the Benita Costa Rica Guide. I must also admit that it is not easy to find without prior knowledge rightly. After only a Costa Rican directions such as "100 meters north of the former supermarket" or "is very close, only 400 meters from here, 2 blocks north, then 100m to the right, 50 straight and 50 to the right" can despair we sometimes even .
evening we have come up then taste the delicious rice with chicken Arroz con pollo "and Mama had especially at first all the" Mucho gusto, nice to meet you "and the praise sayings about the daughter, and" thank you, that Benita you have brought to the world ", can sag. One does not hear every day.
early morning It went on to smoking pot in the cocaine users and popular Montezuma, also called "Montefuma (fumar smoke =). We settled down after a short search in the more or less comfortable guesthouse Arenas, which should be "very good" according to the familiar Luke, who works there in Montezuma in a turtle project. Well, the cleanliness of my mother did not meet, and in Germany it would certainly get directly due to its location on the beach fourth star. However, we did not change because the ocean noise that we could hear because of narrow fan spray only during the day and the sunrise, and the fantastic location of the inn directly on the beach under palm trees, mainly compensated Mama.
the meal, we moved to the nearest accessible, but for us the best restaurant on the beach where we could enjoy the first shrimp and some "Sex on the beach".
have made us fairly for a beach holiday lot, walked through forests, valleys and roots it to 3 waterfalls that can not escape each Montezuma visitors, and on the last day we drove to the 1-hour-distant Reserve Cabo Blanco directly to the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, where we enjoyed the exceptional flora and fauna of Costa Rica for the first time pure.
is more remembered for, however, Montezuma's flair. Most of the time we have well-made in a fishing net Hammock between coconut, sniffing cocaine and wild resolute Latinos spent. I think I've now made friends already with the core of the village, not least because of the bull testicle soup, which I tested by a old, beach living man who told me in every spare second, how great drugs are.
Another Rasta man, who now apparently benefited from the effect of Viagra bull testicles, I now had the whole evening at the neck.
bat cave 
view from the bus window 
our Rückfahrtsbus 
Iguana! 
hotel on the beach 
Sex on the beach, not just once. went 
Saturday we return to our beloved San Jose, by my own cozy bed not replace the sun in the hammock for my mom could. But that was over now, of which she could dream nurnoch.
Sunday I have then taken into the church after Alajuelita. Very pleased with the style of clothes Ticas her even a bird crapped on in the Church of the chair. How did you enjoyed this exceptional service that?
- He was truly unforgettable!
Mom and Juan!
The 18 year old Kevin and his daughter 
Anthony and mom, this time three more buttons unbuttoned.
mother and daughter in the church, you do not see every day.
My friend and simultaneous church rock band singer Jeff came after spontaneous or in the inner city. There we wanted to later meet with some of my friends to dinner. Mama was overcome yet - they had to go to shoe-shopping. She was really surprised when Jeff's enthusiasm and commitment of buying shoes. When he then bent down to her the non-matching high-heel as the prince from Cinderella to take back from the foot, it was to make it happen. By Jeff she was still talking weeks later! From the belief that this behavior of a man when buying shoes probably only once in the world, I had to discourage fast. What was absolutely incredible and amazing to them was, for me long life. They are the Ticos. Sentimental want and make their wives happy. That was of course only the positive side.
in downtown San Jose with the fat woman. went
fruit stand 
mama and Jeff 
direct the next day it continues to the Arenal Volcano. That was really worth a visit to the two roses. From the nice tour guide and a typical Latino Julio we have let ourselves go from hotel to hotel to opt for a hotel can. This was immediately after I told him that we are both German, the "I'm looking for a German friend who I can marry here," go-saying, which I have in the last 7 months have already heard several times. Well of kindness we have let ourselves be aufschwätzen a day trip for the next day, which included just about everything we wanted to see actually. The lava of the volcano, we have then seen, and a super jungle landscape in a volcano park, where I like Jane swinging from the liana through the jungle. The whole flowering with the conclusion - of bathing in hot springs open. To make it romantic, the stop was probably chosen as the last item. Still on the road with tour guide Julio showed us that even an area among the sources to which one had to dive for the first time, and he was as hot as a sauna.
Our Julio. 
The next stop was Monte Verde then from our accommodation for once her very comfortable. In Eddy's Cabinas we have the tiger bed and wood paneling on the walls of days later, still dreaming of Julio.
The cloud forest was a unique experience. I think this one must-see. The enchanted forest-like landscape really impressed and even walking in the woods and natural way you learn to appreciate the diversity of the country. Just been fits the big rain, we went to a couple of hours already back into the Tiger bed. Still early in the evening I suggested Mama, they may come here sometimes can cut the tips, where we had to do it anyway. In short, we were already in the mismatched one-man salon from a burly, old, short haired Tica, skillfully cut Mom's hair dry, it then then washed his hair in a bowl and you then have conjured up a dashing Tica-style haircut. Of course, for little money. Now we were ready late, but unfortunately, the bar felt in 200-soul village lacked.
And already, the week was around again ....
Eddy!
The Tiger bed. 
ant trail! 
spent time on Saturday in San Jose, still had a few purchases are made and the Boxauswahlkämpfe of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were also as selection for the Centro American Boxmeisterschaft in 2 months. I could not miss me. With Boxkameraden we cheered our other boxers lined up and us the fighting in the middle of Parque Morazan pleased. With the comment "I liked your mother there? Shame that you were not prepared properly, otherwise I would have sent up fight" makes me my boxing coach now in faith, I should have to actually take it.
the White Refere as my coach with two boxers.
Boxkumpane, very proud because he had won his fight.
my trainer with the world champion belt of one of his proteges 
Johel the policeman, the extra meeting to Benita's mother, while he actually should look for a stolen car, for Boxstudio came. 
The last joint weekend was almost over, the last trip was now in the Caribbean. After a short ride in the State of Limon but then Mum noticed quite quickly that it is different there, "here, there are already more than Black people in San Jose Benita!"
gone up in Cahuita, we and the familiar faces of the crazy junkies and many a Latino, who seems to have eaten bull testicles flew towards me. At the hotel by the sea we settled down and although the hammocks this time were not of a fishing net, Mom was thrilled. We left after a few hours in my first beach Favorite restaurant "El Parquecito" down and enjoyed the shrimp with Caribbean food and rum Cahuita - Cahuita A typical rum, coconut, the taste is delicious! The next day was to be my birthday present to Mom. I wanted to keep them together snorkeling in the adjacent National Park Cahuita, of which I had done some months ago, right. In Cahuita is in fact one of the most beautiful coral reefs Costa Rica. Mama seemed just as pleased as I later on my first time on the day we ate at the same restaurant again, this time by a very large portion, with salad, nachos and fish filet and enjoyed this quite a few cocktails. In Coco's Car, one of two bars in the village, We amused ourselves with further Cahuita rum on the sometimes very ready man. At times, Mom was a little idle, since one or the other Latino seems to form a snake next to me, and in turn sought my attention. Probably the first time really they now also get a feel for how they are as well, the Ticos, if they take off like a not a princess shoes. One had the snake standing "interested" in common: they all tried to somehow some way to get rid of my mother to get at me. As they had but huge mistake in my mother, who read not get rid of.
Beach in Cahuita
rental in the hotel 
El Parquecito with Cahuita Rum 
fish fillet a la Caribbean 
the shower. 
The next afternoon we went to Puerto Viejo, where we were in Mom's (well deserved) purely to celebrate 50th birthday. Mama was very excited about the hammock Hotel Rocking J's, she has also impressed upon our arrival. Instead of running to the nearest beach, we took a taxi and drove half an hour dirt road for "Punta Uva", which I did not know it. I was impressed with how beautiful it was. In the evening we went to eat at the restaurant where my friend Jason works. For Mom, there were octopus, for me again Caribbean chicken. Then we went over to the bar where we could amuse ourselves to God and the world. Up to 12 clock it kept us there, then I was finally able to congratulate. The 50th in Costa Rica!
We at Punta Uva.
Punta Uva 
free organic bananas for the Rocking J's 
banana plantations on the way 
In Tamara, where Jason works. 
... with the octopus 
"Do you clean behind your mother is not here" - liked the Mama, the saying in the Rocking J's 
self-portrait of the mother (and daughter)
So passed the days with Mom, who will never forget .....
Although I really do not deserve, to Benita's blog to write, I would also like to get rid of one more thing:
It was a unique experience for me! I am happy that I have seen where Benita lives during their stay, where and how it works and does good things, and I am pleased to know me their host family and visiting relatives learned and made a lot of impressions from the beautiful country and the people have. I'm especially happy about the fact that I could spend a great great time with Benita, that it has taken time for me to show me the land and its people. It has brought me closer not only their lives but also food and culture on a very special way.
I thank my daughter, Benita, I thank my mother and I thank my sister for the unforgettable trip!
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Monday we went back to work. Again covered most of the new and unknown, what else am I doing there and be a psychologist or anybody else, because I know most of the internal and disappeared almost entirely new one to hit.
Anthony has left 2 days before the project, which I knew already, as Jason had called Anthony in Puerto Viejo, I immediately called and told me know. He was with his sister, in "La Tabla," a very dangerous, dirty part of Alajuelita that one should not enter at night better, and in which any types and forms of drugs are sold and consumed lives. Work he had already, I was told. I have not talked to him, unfortunately. At least I could give him in the 4 months a lot of English proficiency! I shall never forget, even if they can call again.
David is gone too. His mother was living here in the same block as me. My cousin Ariel him has probably already seen at the bus stop at the slot machines. With him I have not spoken yet, but it'll sure the dates sometimes get to see. He was missing one months to end of Program.
The 18 year old Carlitos was thrown out by the pastor because Carlitos while he was working in Pavas, has let things go along. Which unfortunately was not the first time. That is not natural. Yesterday Wilberth Carlitos has downtown seen rummaging through a dustbin. He spoke briefly with him, Carlitos told him that he left the prison in San Sebastian, which is on the road between downtown and Alajuelita, sleeping. Wilberth told him he would help him. A short time later, however, he regretted that he had told him and decided to do the first anything. For obviously wants Carlitos no help. Hear about how Carlito is grown, you think "No wonder that the boy is." Without Mother, was from institution to institution and sent home to home, with no caregiver. In an institution he was sexually abused by his psychologist. The result was that even Carlitos abused young boys while later, is now so bothered sexually. In prison, he was already where he - as he once told me - just run around with a knife under his sleeve in his hand had to "safe", and all with his age. That's right, no wonder. Of his time, he has lived on the street, we need not at first talk. He also told me once that he has a time for a couple in Los Cuadros in the suburb of Guadalupe (near my home) lived who were both addicts and - have sold drugs - along with it. His thought patterns are disturbed today, unfortunately, totally. Mouth is the easiest .... freedom on the road rather than rules in a center .... he lives. Unfortunately, he had much to mention too many opportunities that he has not called, not to mention his 5 visits to Canaan. More aid will he - at least from the pastor and Wilberth - not received. Unfortunately, these matters are not as easy as you want to help a human way so, where you can order a person does not have to sleep in cardboard boxes on the street and eat from garbage cans must. But some would deliberately make such decisions, so the help that you are actually nothing brings.
has also me - as I so frequently reported - always hurt when I saw familiar faces on the street alive. Of these feelings but you have to - as hard as it sounds - emotional distance. What is not at all easy. Just when it difficult for such cases, drug addicts or going. Because the last thing you can finally understand it is why many people prefer this very life on the road, nor can you change your way of thinking. You must come yourself. If they do not come you have to be to make conscious also that it is not in his own responsability is what happens to the person. Often we think, "he lacks only this or that," But mostly they have plenty of help and options, not exploit them. "Ah, now you have understood it, what?" - I Wilberth said today.
Otherwise, there were probably no more mentioning values that have made of the dust. Numerous new finds for this, as well as Edwin from Limon. 23 years old, was sent to us by the court, 6 months, he must complete in order to show that he has geänert itself. What has he got hired, I asked. He told me how he shot with 14 years in the Parque Central in the center of the port city of Limon someone. This was probably shot at him, then he drew his weapon (clear, with 14 years!) And shot him. He then had 3 years in prison . Spend One year he was first in juvenile detention, after he spent some time in the La Reforma prison in Alajuela, where I was at that time to visit, and after he completes his remaining time in a prison in Limon. Now he is with us. Today I am again interested in the situation in prison in Costa Rica. As I already numerous ex-Interns, Wilberth and generally anyone who might know the decision, had to be heard well in jail here consumes quite a lot of drugs. This could then tell me Edwin is that he has consumed half-way all the Bank. What he told me then, brings me laugh. By his own testimony, he and his "Compitas" have his prison friends, spider webs (so good, I had to ask only a few times) rolled up and smoked a joint. Hallucinogens is called! Fortunately, he has realized that it was pretty crazy. Well, again what learned ....
One thinks yes "will already be not that bad" if the majority of people told me, Limon how dangerous is that they shoot themselves there in the street for no reason and rob. Unfortunately I have to keep learning that it happens every day, because there are many like Edwin. However, we understand each other well, the same taste in music and have fun with his PattaPatta dance skills with which he regularly abtanzt to any dancehall, soca and reggae beats, he does me too. All of the talented boy, when is about dancing. Today he gave me his eyebrows plucked! Looks great!
Thanks to the new, which were already over 2 weeks there, I can directly start again with the English teacher - again the alphabet. Once again, all on the same level of knowledge - about zero. Much motivation is there, even the 60 year old, pretty tarnished Conocer "whose teeth are rotting and need even with a walking cane for 10 yards two minutes will now learn English. Yesterday I asked him after the alphabet in English. In English, he replied, "Ah, Doble U, Uwe, Igriega, Seta, "which means" A, W, V, Y, Z "and all the means in English. I then said," Actually I was referring to the alphabet in English, but good, then tell me the first time the alphabet in English. . came again, "Ah .... Doble U, Seta ... the rest I've forgotten! ". Despite all the weaknesses he is still voluntary for the classes.
Luis, my stomach rose-drug smugglers yesterday with all these things into the same bus. Where once more everything seemed to be ok, has good times again missed the only reason to leave the center. His wife came and wanted to visit him. There is not always visiting hours, Wilberth must be asked for permission. We just sat in the office when Wilberth an affair with a job to clarify for the next day had some internal. He had no nerve to talk with visitors, was perhaps even something else to do with Luis, I did not know. In any case, he was host, she should come back next week, this week Luis had no time to visit more. If she wants to leave things here for Luis, it could do that. The Luis used only to disappear as the reason. When I asked what was the problem, he said to me "Wilberth does what he wants." ... "But what happened?" ... "He has not paid me visit and says it out of his mood, because he just wants it so" ... Luis then I tried to explain that of course it is stupid that he did not get time to visit, but that Wilberth has many things he must sort out all at once. I told him that I was sitting with Wilberth in the office and noticed did, he just had a problem and therefore could not give all, while attention, he is not perfect and not always all out to give of themselves and prudent. Perhaps there was another legitimate reason for his actions. Luis would have had to go to Wilberth and it would have cleared up. The fact is that for a rehab stay is not about those Lapalie, but to have a stable life in the future simply essential things in order. This must understand for now. But again the matter was used as a base, the center and Wilberth presented as bad, and to cut off at the end. Unfortunately, not everyone there, my objective point of view.
Today I was then on my morning commute to work, when suddenly a bum crossed my path. He ran around topless and had his dirty jeans to hang to the knees, so that his pants, which, incidentally, was just as dirty, could see very well. He ran around aimlessly, when a woman wanted to pass him with a baby carriage. He deliberately stopped before the cars are, so they had to dodge. He avoided with and seemed a joke with the mother to allow fresh. He did not pass. I watched the scene a moment at a time he ran. Followed by 2 members of the corrupt Costa Rican police. With lightning speed they beat him, pushed him against a wall and schriehen meet him something. The bum walked them intimidated.
