yet from the international day:
bake a cake. Chrissi, Merle, Peter 
decreases the rate €. Slowly, Costa Rica expensive for me. The coast is probably not only rich, but you should also best be rich on the coast. Where I'm here sometimes, "Cool, how cheap the Cuba Libre", I have to fight today with Germany and I can prices unfortunately no longer afford taxis to all destinations. You get nothing more for his money. Nevertheless I took today's new high-heels for the equivalent of 40 euros (mind you, it could be too old price 30 €.) Indulgence. I could not resist. The seller does not, he asked directly if I had a boyfriend. "Too many," I sprayed again before arrogance. But even that is not deterred! If I ever want to have an unattractive Colombians as a friend, he would be there! So I'm just the Tico-life as best we can do.
The steady rain will not stop. Sunday was my plan to spend the whole day in bed and go jogging at 6, as I it always had done in Germany. But that was nothing, by 5 to 10, there has been no rain delay clock for jogging. Nurnoch the morning rain remains free until 12, perhaps 13 clock. I take this as an opportunity to plan many days on the beach outside of San Jose, not so much time. I also have successfully
my 20th Birthday behind me to the first so far away from home. It was one of the most beautiful I was able to celebrate until now. One tends
yes to regard some things just take for granted. If you then but in a completely unique situation in which you really ought to expect nothing, you learn to appreciate the little things. As a call, an e-mail a letter, which may sound really at all over so small, but rather as something big. The calls of my family and my closest friends from Germany has made me happiest. It has shown me that they think of me, although I am far away.
The work has given me Wilberth chocolate, with the comment "I know it's not as tasty as German chocolate, but at least then you have chocolate on your birthday, even if the package from your dad has not arrived yet .. .
Juan and Wilberth on playing chess on my birthday
Conocer was shaved!
So I baked a cake for my friend Raquel, who would not have to be beautiful, and it has brought me home. The sadness that this year I'm going to get any home-made cake from my mom was so relieved.
noon I was in a small circle of Mexican food, Johnny is specially just come from work and gave me a light pink rose given. My three closest friends have given me a Costa Rica Photo Album and perpetuates a very personal and nice lines in it. Later, we are further into the "Calle de la Armagura" (something like the rings in Cologne) in a bar, it came by more acquaintances and friends. In including Kike from boxing, which passed after his daily training and gave me a Hello Kitty bracelet has given my name. Peter has baked me a cake cake, like the one we had baked for the international day.
Up to 1 morgends clock (it was a Tuesday probably noticed) I've let myself go well yet. Up by 23 clock still came birthday calls to the calls from Germany and Brazil will have guest Uncle Elias, his wife and daughter Damaris Gloriana still thinking of me. By some bar owners, I was still one or the other donated until I'm extremely happy then fell into my bed.
Kike from boxing
Merle, Hannah
Micha
Raquel
But should it go on. This weekend it was back Rasta vibe in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast announced. Overall, we were 10 people, my dearest friends in Costa Rica, we wanted to Benita's Bday Bash Volume 2 celebrate.
Friday afternoon we went. During the break in Limon we enjoyed the first Cuba Libre, some other beer. We had the pleasure of our lives and have Fridays and Saturdays, in Caribbean style celebration. By chance a few days before Anthony came to Puerto Viejo, Jason to visit there. As I learned later, Anthony was probably any problems in San Jose, so it can not return there will / should /. For some time he is already there. It was so great to see him again. As he described his first day tourist, spot immediately clear that he is from another world. If I turn it on - for me mitlerweile normal - have raised Alajuelita ghetto-talk, he would rather not talk about it. In private, he told me then that he thinks my friends are very nice, although he does not know and they do not know him. He would not be regarded by them as the person he may is by its past. Say, as an ex-drug addict with a criminal history. I could understand very well, and have it be perceived very positively that he spoke to me so open. He has really enjoyed it. Somehow I feel very good about it when I Internal, have become friends, a small piece in my "world" into leaving, because I know it can only do them good to communicate with "normal people".
Just Checking has been But where Anthony and I know for us, that is a piece of its history was already obvious. Just Basti, who himself has been robbed and sometimes probably a bit too much to worry about doing what in Costa Rica everything happened or could happen, has a keen interest in Anthony and his "experience" show and wanted to know immediately, in what areas in San Jose because he is not likely to move. I think Anthony has even reported a robbery of his actions, what has caused amusement. But more likely because two worlds encounter and it sounds very bizarre but when you have nothing to do with such people. For one or the other it was new, I'd say! Less than for me!
Saturday night I then ran the Costa Rican Tica-boxing world champion Hanna Gabriel, who has got hold recently in Puerto Rico their world title with a 11-second knockout to a Puerto Rican Boriqua, the Way. Specifically, she stood before me at the bar in Costa Rica Since everybody knows everyone, especially if one operates in the same business, it was me a week before that came in my Boxstudio under the eyes. There they wanted to show my coach their world champion belts. Really cool!
went So the Caribbean super birthday weekend over, I'm ready for a repeat!
Here pictures from the weekend ...
our beach day
Micha, Merle and me.
I, as I apply Merle, the make-up virgin, Kajal!
. Basti and his Sträuner
Christy and me.
Playa Chiquita (next to Punta Uva, where I was with my mom!)
Caribbean Red Snapper
Basti and Anthony.
Anthony and I!
Caribbean Birthday dinner
The Wednesday classes runs great. As announced by the pastor, the number has reduced to about 20 students. "We are Ticos, have I told you so !"... 2 weeks ago I set up the first exam, which is down moderately. At first I thought I would be a bad teacher. But then I have yet to understand that some have simply not learned. Then the teacher can still be as good! In
Alajuelita I feel very comfortable, almost like home. One of my students is Wednesday, the bus driver Alajuelita buses, now and then you see him, he lets me be right out in front of the center, so I thank God, the 200m does not have to run. In general familiar to many people there, but is just a village, although it is in the capital. The Pipaverkäuferin greets me every morning (I work), very nice, and the pirate taxi driver so has always something to talk about.
Last week on the job was then the newspaper as always rumgereicht at all. That day was a huge picture on page 5 of Roy Hernandez, the most wanted criminals in Costa Rica ready to buy. He has probably committed six murders and has attacked several people, including a 6-month pregnant woman in "La Tabla," I've already reported on the tabla, where Anthony lived, many drugs, dangerous, you do not want out. He was probably already taken, but is probably somehow escape the police, so he is now wanted by anyone. Clearly this was THE topic of the day in the center. Not least because most of Roy Alajuelita-closer, and runs round ever near there, and drives his character. Everybody knew him from somewhere. He was "completely psycho" came from the Internal, which are probably also noticed no innocent angel. Kevin said that Roy has its people who sell drugs in certain areas. A Crack Head was probably once told a dealer that the crack, which he sells, not good. Then Roy has missed his 27 stab wounds. He will also probably weapons to people who rob so they are going. If he were to be taken, he would need the highest security level in prison by the guards, otherwise it from the other Internal prison are beaten or killed at worst would. Again and again I have heard from some of my guys "attack to rob women or children, or kill is a no-go. Pregnant women are not only pretty !"... So you see, even in the ghetto people, among the offenders, there is hierarchy and its values, even if I may say so neutral.
My pirate taxi driver, who seemed to me like he would know God and the world, as he himself once was a bad guy Sun, I have sounded out directly by Roy Hernandez times. For the answer I got what I really should surprise no, after all, what I've heard and seen in this year, "Roy Hernandez is my neighbor. He lives with his mother. is a psycho, what with its 24 years of it all has done wrong. Someone like him, I was sometimes, but not so bad .. get clear one with what he will spin. But as a neighbor schehrt one be so not as drum, you see him holding times with guns get, sometimes with something, but that's always ..."... Now he is safely operate elsewhere. The police, even if I trust the police here so some unnachvollziehbare action would be to seek safe in his mother's house first. Roy Hernandez - to be continued.
Otherwise, we currently have some new internal, all around 18 years. One got me to smile more. A very nice 17-year-old boy I had to directly respond to his obvious tattoos. Whether he has stabbed himself in prison, I asked. So it is surprising as the most, so temporary tattoos have engraved on the body. Best yet easily accessible places such as the forearm or hand lettering and then so that you can barely decipher. No, not from prison. At home he had stabbed himself. I also fell
on his 10 bracelets, all of which were tied with red, yellow and green, the Rasta-reggae colors. All in different styles. He seems well to be a reggae fan, I thought. I liked the bracelets. Directly, he offered me, me to make one, would not last long anyway. I agreed and asked what colors he have to choose from. And you could have imagined, red yellow and green. The decision was therefore spoken to me. Now I'm almost Rasta.
total he has 16 tattoos by the way, missing one for each year, one more thing, the 17TE. The Tattoos go from marijuana leaves on the calf of his name in Chinese characters on his arm, Bishins related to his brother on the neck. Seems to be very "in", tattoos a la Bush in the neck to have. I have often seen in recent weeks. As for Coco, the mitlerweile but gone again, because his girlfriend, a child get added. In a few years it is safe to age.
Juan write the bills.
Ivan, Conocer, Lester and me.
Saturday were boxing matches in my Boxstudio. 17 to 21 clock it went around, great atmosphere, with extra DJ from Limon, great battles, many people and the Pro-Names of the boxes in Costa Rica. Hanna was there, her father, who also was once a professional boxer, Carl Davies, another Tico-professional boxer who fought the way, even in Germany has, and and and ... The event was a charity event for Alejandro anything. Tico a professional boxer who is after a fight in Mexico somehow fallen into a coma, I'm not there Just Checking, and now is raising funds for it, so you can treat it properly. Was a wicked thing.
Today I was in Tejarcillos Basti, a slum of Alajuelita. We are first moved to a church in a rather ugly area, from where we are with a group of about 20 church members on a bus went there to serve meals to the children living there. Basti was a few weeks ago schonmal there, and he was very impressed. I wanted to let me not take the experience too.
When we the bus arrived, we did not see much of a slum, many people, including many children, apparently have been waiting for us already and were already more or less snake. We have built a table with the Riesenpötten rice and a sauce with meat and vegetables. In addition there was juice and bacon chips. Everything seemed more or less normal. I got off the bus, looked at the people who watched and tried to differences with the Ticos I know see. Some were very thin, many pregnant women, clothing was no value set, only the teen had fake Nike and Playboy-jackets. The children looked unkempt part, not dirty, but just a bit scruffy, as it lacked something. Everything was prepared for the food distribution. I should pour the juice. It should be a series formed the children first, the smallest children to the forefront. Music was played, happy church music, a merry time. It started, the first child got his food. The little boy with a thin face seemed too overwhelmed to keep his food, the sauce ran down most of the paper plate, he was crying. To whom it belongs, we asked him, no answer, only Geweine, we called for his mother, no answer. Finally came one of our group and helped him eat. So it went on, we realized it was waiting for the food. Some children recognized again Basti, even knew his name yet. There were many people there, all around were children or mothers with children in their arms.
Now I wanted to once a slum. I myself away from the juice bar choose issue and turned to some nice men in the group with which we had previously understood all right. I asked her to show me the residential area, because I've never been there. They went up with me. Where I was into it more useful to me was a completely foreign world poverty. The plate 100 booths were all perhaps 1.5 m apart, so the whole residential real as their own, small, sad world appears. The "paths" between the stalls, houses is a bit exaggerated, and the entrances were all very tentative built of wood planks, stone blocks and scraps of cloth. I felt like when climbing. It was so similar to such a National Park or other, only that it'll still be different., Even with people who live there. It smelled rotten, unpleasant. All the cabins were open. I remembered the old woman's house in Alajuelita, who lives at the end of the alley and then angsteinfößenden did not know which version of Windows is on your computer. On the ground there was no house carpet, tile, let alone laminate, as then in women. Inside laundry was hung from an interior one could never really talk. Once saw a man sitting on a couch next to him probably his son. All threw me against a laugh. All children, where we passed, have a huge "Hello how are you?" our part, happy. The attention they encountered smiling faces. It moved me to tears. The children were so sweet, I have tried to lead with every child to at least talk, everyone was very open. In a group of 5 other volunteers, I was invited inside a house. Well, house. invited inside into a dark hut. I was now in a room that is perhaps as big as our kitchen in Germany. There was a kitchen corner, a worn couch, compared with 2 chairs, sat on a little girl and nothing more. In the entrance of the hut There was a small boy, his mother, who just held a candle in his hand, and a helper who was praying with her mother for the family. Was praying a lot. The family lived without water or electricity. Whether this was an exception, I asked. No, probably not, more the exception that one here has water or electricity. I hugged her mother, she smelled of dog feces and was very happy that we came to her. It all happened very quickly, more than small talk I was not a self. I left the house and when leaving, she called after me "God bless you. Come back to us the doors are always open ..."... It was dark, has drizzling, it was hardly any light there, but it was warm. What does one say as a European woman to such a spoiled woman. Spoiled we were all the other helpers. Just because we can live with water and electricity and have enough money for clothes. But I'm still a tad spoiled. On the way back again waved all children as if they know me and would love.
Back at the food counter, all set in a circle and prayed for 10 minutes. Most children did not understand, but simply enjoyed the attention and caress the helpers. Basti had direct 2 followers who knew him from last time. When I asked if they were Basti's friends, they were quite embarrassed, but remained very affectionate. One girl told me of her denim jacket, that they have one, but she has other bags, but that they prefer this because it looks beautiful. A few perhaps 8.jähriger guys have been asking for more juice. "But you have thirst, what!" I asked one of them. In response I got "Yes, it tastes like alcohol !"... Shortly after, I found myself again with Basti on the bus.
Next week we travel again. When I got home, I have all things from my room that seemed superfluous anyway, collected in a bag. Including clothes, makeup, razors, soft toys, sweets and more ... I'll take them all and give.
a bit I had to laugh at myself, I immediately after my arrival in Costa Rica - still on the way home from the airport - at the sight of the houses here, just all of Costa Rica is one slum, just because every house here is protected with mesh and therefore not entirely as good as our houses in Germany. It was all new, I knew it not dangerous? What is it? Germany is not dangerous!
Now I do not just live in a country which is far more dangerous than Germany, but I also feel time and again that I in terms of "what happened in Costa Rica that can happen, with whom it can happen" much more experienced am than other volunteers here in the country, not just as have a job as I do. I walk through the streets of San Jose and I know the people! Maybe not all personal. But I see in the faces and can evaluate how the person is, for whatever group they come, whether she has used drugs or consumed, if so, what drug and what they might is capable of. San Jose
is dangerous. But I have so many of the people who make San Jose dangerous to know, that I am no longer afraid. Caution is always advised. I have all the more so because I know how fast it can happen, but I'm not afraid. When I am with my German friends in the evening by San Jose run, and it is a handsome man misterio the road, perhaps a homeless man has robbed at least one of the Germans fear of being, because they can assess these people are not good. I have these feelings no longer at. On the contrary, I look at the faces, possibly to recognize a familiar face. I'm definitely not ghetto, but I can (an "unfortunately" I saving me) really say that I know the ghetto. Mitlerweile I laugh even the humor of the ghetto: jokes about robbing, stealing, killing. Maybe because I understand and know, not because I am part of it. Again and again I am asked "Have you no fear, because in Alajuelita? Is not that dangerous for you, the people with whom do you work? ", and again I have to say that it is exactly the opposite. Because I know many of these people, I feel even safer.
I've been increasingly thinking about how the people here tell me understand well, in terms of my stay here as a "volunteer." Am I happy with was able to achieve what I? Do I have achieved something? And I must say that the person who has benefited most from my being here, definitely I am myself. But after much thought I had also noticed that I was able to achieve very much. I have taught many people a bit. It is present on whether they now speak fluent English, or have a certificate. Just that what they learned from me. Even if it's just that they now know where Germany is. That I could run my own little cultural exchange. With pride I can also say that with me 100 percent safety of any of the people I met on my job and I have met with other volunteers activities, keep in a positive reminder. I know that many of the people with whom I had to do, will think in one or another situation to me. And even if they do not say it, they think at least "Benita ... which was super !"...
The steady rain will not stop. Sunday was my plan to spend the whole day in bed and go jogging at 6, as I it always had done in Germany. But that was nothing, by 5 to 10, there has been no rain delay clock for jogging. Nurnoch the morning rain remains free until 12, perhaps 13 clock. I take this as an opportunity to plan many days on the beach outside of San Jose, not so much time. I also have successfully
my 20th Birthday behind me to the first so far away from home. It was one of the most beautiful I was able to celebrate until now. One tends
yes to regard some things just take for granted. If you then but in a completely unique situation in which you really ought to expect nothing, you learn to appreciate the little things. As a call, an e-mail a letter, which may sound really at all over so small, but rather as something big. The calls of my family and my closest friends from Germany has made me happiest. It has shown me that they think of me, although I am far away.
The work has given me Wilberth chocolate, with the comment "I know it's not as tasty as German chocolate, but at least then you have chocolate on your birthday, even if the package from your dad has not arrived yet .. .
Juan and Wilberth on playing chess on my birthday
Conocer was shaved! 
So I baked a cake for my friend Raquel, who would not have to be beautiful, and it has brought me home. The sadness that this year I'm going to get any home-made cake from my mom was so relieved.
noon I was in a small circle of Mexican food, Johnny is specially just come from work and gave me a light pink rose given. My three closest friends have given me a Costa Rica Photo Album and perpetuates a very personal and nice lines in it. Later, we are further into the "Calle de la Armagura" (something like the rings in Cologne) in a bar, it came by more acquaintances and friends. In including Kike from boxing, which passed after his daily training and gave me a Hello Kitty bracelet has given my name. Peter has baked me a cake cake, like the one we had baked for the international day.
Up to 1 morgends clock (it was a Tuesday probably noticed) I've let myself go well yet. Up by 23 clock still came birthday calls to the calls from Germany and Brazil will have guest Uncle Elias, his wife and daughter Damaris Gloriana still thinking of me. By some bar owners, I was still one or the other donated until I'm extremely happy then fell into my bed.
Kike from boxing
Merle, Hannah 
Micha 
Raquel 
But should it go on. This weekend it was back Rasta vibe in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast announced. Overall, we were 10 people, my dearest friends in Costa Rica, we wanted to Benita's Bday Bash Volume 2 celebrate.
Friday afternoon we went. During the break in Limon we enjoyed the first Cuba Libre, some other beer. We had the pleasure of our lives and have Fridays and Saturdays, in Caribbean style celebration. By chance a few days before Anthony came to Puerto Viejo, Jason to visit there. As I learned later, Anthony was probably any problems in San Jose, so it can not return there will / should /. For some time he is already there. It was so great to see him again. As he described his first day tourist, spot immediately clear that he is from another world. If I turn it on - for me mitlerweile normal - have raised Alajuelita ghetto-talk, he would rather not talk about it. In private, he told me then that he thinks my friends are very nice, although he does not know and they do not know him. He would not be regarded by them as the person he may is by its past. Say, as an ex-drug addict with a criminal history. I could understand very well, and have it be perceived very positively that he spoke to me so open. He has really enjoyed it. Somehow I feel very good about it when I Internal, have become friends, a small piece in my "world" into leaving, because I know it can only do them good to communicate with "normal people".
Just Checking has been But where Anthony and I know for us, that is a piece of its history was already obvious. Just Basti, who himself has been robbed and sometimes probably a bit too much to worry about doing what in Costa Rica everything happened or could happen, has a keen interest in Anthony and his "experience" show and wanted to know immediately, in what areas in San Jose because he is not likely to move. I think Anthony has even reported a robbery of his actions, what has caused amusement. But more likely because two worlds encounter and it sounds very bizarre but when you have nothing to do with such people. For one or the other it was new, I'd say! Less than for me!
Saturday night I then ran the Costa Rican Tica-boxing world champion Hanna Gabriel, who has got hold recently in Puerto Rico their world title with a 11-second knockout to a Puerto Rican Boriqua, the Way. Specifically, she stood before me at the bar in Costa Rica Since everybody knows everyone, especially if one operates in the same business, it was me a week before that came in my Boxstudio under the eyes. There they wanted to show my coach their world champion belts. Really cool!
went So the Caribbean super birthday weekend over, I'm ready for a repeat!
Here pictures from the weekend ...
our beach day
Micha, Merle and me. 
I, as I apply Merle, the make-up virgin, Kajal!
. Basti and his Sträuner
Christy and me. 
Playa Chiquita (next to Punta Uva, where I was with my mom!)
Caribbean Red Snapper
Basti and Anthony. 
Anthony and I!
Caribbean Birthday dinner 
The Wednesday classes runs great. As announced by the pastor, the number has reduced to about 20 students. "We are Ticos, have I told you so !"... 2 weeks ago I set up the first exam, which is down moderately. At first I thought I would be a bad teacher. But then I have yet to understand that some have simply not learned. Then the teacher can still be as good! In
Alajuelita I feel very comfortable, almost like home. One of my students is Wednesday, the bus driver Alajuelita buses, now and then you see him, he lets me be right out in front of the center, so I thank God, the 200m does not have to run. In general familiar to many people there, but is just a village, although it is in the capital. The Pipaverkäuferin greets me every morning (I work), very nice, and the pirate taxi driver so has always something to talk about.
Last week on the job was then the newspaper as always rumgereicht at all. That day was a huge picture on page 5 of Roy Hernandez, the most wanted criminals in Costa Rica ready to buy. He has probably committed six murders and has attacked several people, including a 6-month pregnant woman in "La Tabla," I've already reported on the tabla, where Anthony lived, many drugs, dangerous, you do not want out. He was probably already taken, but is probably somehow escape the police, so he is now wanted by anyone. Clearly this was THE topic of the day in the center. Not least because most of Roy Alajuelita-closer, and runs round ever near there, and drives his character. Everybody knew him from somewhere. He was "completely psycho" came from the Internal, which are probably also noticed no innocent angel. Kevin said that Roy has its people who sell drugs in certain areas. A Crack Head was probably once told a dealer that the crack, which he sells, not good. Then Roy has missed his 27 stab wounds. He will also probably weapons to people who rob so they are going. If he were to be taken, he would need the highest security level in prison by the guards, otherwise it from the other Internal prison are beaten or killed at worst would. Again and again I have heard from some of my guys "attack to rob women or children, or kill is a no-go. Pregnant women are not only pretty !"... So you see, even in the ghetto people, among the offenders, there is hierarchy and its values, even if I may say so neutral.
My pirate taxi driver, who seemed to me like he would know God and the world, as he himself once was a bad guy Sun, I have sounded out directly by Roy Hernandez times. For the answer I got what I really should surprise no, after all, what I've heard and seen in this year, "Roy Hernandez is my neighbor. He lives with his mother. is a psycho, what with its 24 years of it all has done wrong. Someone like him, I was sometimes, but not so bad .. get clear one with what he will spin. But as a neighbor schehrt one be so not as drum, you see him holding times with guns get, sometimes with something, but that's always ..."... Now he is safely operate elsewhere. The police, even if I trust the police here so some unnachvollziehbare action would be to seek safe in his mother's house first. Roy Hernandez - to be continued.
Otherwise, we currently have some new internal, all around 18 years. One got me to smile more. A very nice 17-year-old boy I had to directly respond to his obvious tattoos. Whether he has stabbed himself in prison, I asked. So it is surprising as the most, so temporary tattoos have engraved on the body. Best yet easily accessible places such as the forearm or hand lettering and then so that you can barely decipher. No, not from prison. At home he had stabbed himself. I also fell
on his 10 bracelets, all of which were tied with red, yellow and green, the Rasta-reggae colors. All in different styles. He seems well to be a reggae fan, I thought. I liked the bracelets. Directly, he offered me, me to make one, would not last long anyway. I agreed and asked what colors he have to choose from. And you could have imagined, red yellow and green. The decision was therefore spoken to me. Now I'm almost Rasta.
total he has 16 tattoos by the way, missing one for each year, one more thing, the 17TE. The Tattoos go from marijuana leaves on the calf of his name in Chinese characters on his arm, Bishins related to his brother on the neck. Seems to be very "in", tattoos a la Bush in the neck to have. I have often seen in recent weeks. As for Coco, the mitlerweile but gone again, because his girlfriend, a child get added. In a few years it is safe to age.
Juan write the bills.
Ivan, Conocer, Lester and me. 
Saturday were boxing matches in my Boxstudio. 17 to 21 clock it went around, great atmosphere, with extra DJ from Limon, great battles, many people and the Pro-Names of the boxes in Costa Rica. Hanna was there, her father, who also was once a professional boxer, Carl Davies, another Tico-professional boxer who fought the way, even in Germany has, and and and ... The event was a charity event for Alejandro anything. Tico a professional boxer who is after a fight in Mexico somehow fallen into a coma, I'm not there Just Checking, and now is raising funds for it, so you can treat it properly. Was a wicked thing.
Today I was in Tejarcillos Basti, a slum of Alajuelita. We are first moved to a church in a rather ugly area, from where we are with a group of about 20 church members on a bus went there to serve meals to the children living there. Basti was a few weeks ago schonmal there, and he was very impressed. I wanted to let me not take the experience too.
When we the bus arrived, we did not see much of a slum, many people, including many children, apparently have been waiting for us already and were already more or less snake. We have built a table with the Riesenpötten rice and a sauce with meat and vegetables. In addition there was juice and bacon chips. Everything seemed more or less normal. I got off the bus, looked at the people who watched and tried to differences with the Ticos I know see. Some were very thin, many pregnant women, clothing was no value set, only the teen had fake Nike and Playboy-jackets. The children looked unkempt part, not dirty, but just a bit scruffy, as it lacked something. Everything was prepared for the food distribution. I should pour the juice. It should be a series formed the children first, the smallest children to the forefront. Music was played, happy church music, a merry time. It started, the first child got his food. The little boy with a thin face seemed too overwhelmed to keep his food, the sauce ran down most of the paper plate, he was crying. To whom it belongs, we asked him, no answer, only Geweine, we called for his mother, no answer. Finally came one of our group and helped him eat. So it went on, we realized it was waiting for the food. Some children recognized again Basti, even knew his name yet. There were many people there, all around were children or mothers with children in their arms.
Now I wanted to once a slum. I myself away from the juice bar choose issue and turned to some nice men in the group with which we had previously understood all right. I asked her to show me the residential area, because I've never been there. They went up with me. Where I was into it more useful to me was a completely foreign world poverty. The plate 100 booths were all perhaps 1.5 m apart, so the whole residential real as their own, small, sad world appears. The "paths" between the stalls, houses is a bit exaggerated, and the entrances were all very tentative built of wood planks, stone blocks and scraps of cloth. I felt like when climbing. It was so similar to such a National Park or other, only that it'll still be different., Even with people who live there. It smelled rotten, unpleasant. All the cabins were open. I remembered the old woman's house in Alajuelita, who lives at the end of the alley and then angsteinfößenden did not know which version of Windows is on your computer. On the ground there was no house carpet, tile, let alone laminate, as then in women. Inside laundry was hung from an interior one could never really talk. Once saw a man sitting on a couch next to him probably his son. All threw me against a laugh. All children, where we passed, have a huge "Hello how are you?" our part, happy. The attention they encountered smiling faces. It moved me to tears. The children were so sweet, I have tried to lead with every child to at least talk, everyone was very open. In a group of 5 other volunteers, I was invited inside a house. Well, house. invited inside into a dark hut. I was now in a room that is perhaps as big as our kitchen in Germany. There was a kitchen corner, a worn couch, compared with 2 chairs, sat on a little girl and nothing more. In the entrance of the hut There was a small boy, his mother, who just held a candle in his hand, and a helper who was praying with her mother for the family. Was praying a lot. The family lived without water or electricity. Whether this was an exception, I asked. No, probably not, more the exception that one here has water or electricity. I hugged her mother, she smelled of dog feces and was very happy that we came to her. It all happened very quickly, more than small talk I was not a self. I left the house and when leaving, she called after me "God bless you. Come back to us the doors are always open ..."... It was dark, has drizzling, it was hardly any light there, but it was warm. What does one say as a European woman to such a spoiled woman. Spoiled we were all the other helpers. Just because we can live with water and electricity and have enough money for clothes. But I'm still a tad spoiled. On the way back again waved all children as if they know me and would love.
Back at the food counter, all set in a circle and prayed for 10 minutes. Most children did not understand, but simply enjoyed the attention and caress the helpers. Basti had direct 2 followers who knew him from last time. When I asked if they were Basti's friends, they were quite embarrassed, but remained very affectionate. One girl told me of her denim jacket, that they have one, but she has other bags, but that they prefer this because it looks beautiful. A few perhaps 8.jähriger guys have been asking for more juice. "But you have thirst, what!" I asked one of them. In response I got "Yes, it tastes like alcohol !"... Shortly after, I found myself again with Basti on the bus.
Next week we travel again. When I got home, I have all things from my room that seemed superfluous anyway, collected in a bag. Including clothes, makeup, razors, soft toys, sweets and more ... I'll take them all and give.
a bit I had to laugh at myself, I immediately after my arrival in Costa Rica - still on the way home from the airport - at the sight of the houses here, just all of Costa Rica is one slum, just because every house here is protected with mesh and therefore not entirely as good as our houses in Germany. It was all new, I knew it not dangerous? What is it? Germany is not dangerous!
Now I do not just live in a country which is far more dangerous than Germany, but I also feel time and again that I in terms of "what happened in Costa Rica that can happen, with whom it can happen" much more experienced am than other volunteers here in the country, not just as have a job as I do. I walk through the streets of San Jose and I know the people! Maybe not all personal. But I see in the faces and can evaluate how the person is, for whatever group they come, whether she has used drugs or consumed, if so, what drug and what they might is capable of. San Jose
is dangerous. But I have so many of the people who make San Jose dangerous to know, that I am no longer afraid. Caution is always advised. I have all the more so because I know how fast it can happen, but I'm not afraid. When I am with my German friends in the evening by San Jose run, and it is a handsome man misterio the road, perhaps a homeless man has robbed at least one of the Germans fear of being, because they can assess these people are not good. I have these feelings no longer at. On the contrary, I look at the faces, possibly to recognize a familiar face. I'm definitely not ghetto, but I can (an "unfortunately" I saving me) really say that I know the ghetto. Mitlerweile I laugh even the humor of the ghetto: jokes about robbing, stealing, killing. Maybe because I understand and know, not because I am part of it. Again and again I am asked "Have you no fear, because in Alajuelita? Is not that dangerous for you, the people with whom do you work? ", and again I have to say that it is exactly the opposite. Because I know many of these people, I feel even safer.
I've been increasingly thinking about how the people here tell me understand well, in terms of my stay here as a "volunteer." Am I happy with was able to achieve what I? Do I have achieved something? And I must say that the person who has benefited most from my being here, definitely I am myself. But after much thought I had also noticed that I was able to achieve very much. I have taught many people a bit. It is present on whether they now speak fluent English, or have a certificate. Just that what they learned from me. Even if it's just that they now know where Germany is. That I could run my own little cultural exchange. With pride I can also say that with me 100 percent safety of any of the people I met on my job and I have met with other volunteers activities, keep in a positive reminder. I know that many of the people with whom I had to do, will think in one or another situation to me. And even if they do not say it, they think at least "Benita ... which was super !"...
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