For 2 months I am now back on German soil, and only now do I sign me back to you one last time, my experiences of the past, so what we say, to report four months.
we go back again, I remember that my last blog entry contained my visit to the slum Tejarcillos. There I was after that one time someone has the heart in Alajuelita donated a huge bag with baby's and women's clothes that could be used there, of course, bad. Without further ado, I just got the donation bag Wilberth me to take him to Tejarcillos. That's what I did. It was so impressive, even though I had only been there once, I realized the children sometimes, and called again only to meet me "But you are the German! What's your name again?" and were eager to learn everything by myself and Germany. You could see it is a very distant world and no one really has any idea how Germany actually looks. All refer now to what I tell them about my country, Germany is then for the rest of their lives probably, unless they meet again another German, who tells them otherwise.
with garment bag, we went in different huts in which lived some cases up to 8 people, we poured everything out on the floor and everyone could choose what he would have liked or needed. There was no battle, was modest showing what you would like for him or his children. Everyone was very grateful. Before we left I finally had a few baby clothes that I gave ado simply a pregnant girl with a baby on her hand, she also really enjoyed.
The last time that I (by the way is quite beside Alajuelita from nearby prison, as it should be otherwise!) The church in the poor district of Cristo Rey, I had everything, but really anything with it, what I in my personal possession could spare. I went to a kind reception, there was all received a very polite young man. He regretted that I soon must leave the country, he would I like to know better, he said. I thought to myself, luckily you will soon be back in Germany, I would not like to know more detail!
All right, now was the Abschlusseminar to my organization. The anticipation was great. As usual, we were expecting great parties and a lot of fun, and just as it was. Our camp was again held in a house with 2 pools, the party earns top grade level and all could not believe that it should be over now. They looked forward to the home, but the company has already missed one there. My 3 favorite girls, Hannah, Merle and Marleen I have only a week in which they have traveled to Guatemala, missed so that I could hardly imagine it, even cut me now to mention them. The evaluation of our year was there despite the "Seminar" held in less grand scale, this was the fun and the food was one A.
A few days later for me right next to Colombia.
This time I traveled alone. No one could raise himself to accompany me. May perhaps be due to the rather expensive plane ticket from $ 500, so does a flight from San Jose to Colombia. No, you can not cross the border by land. Too dangerous, only said again! Many travel from Panama, with sail ships across the Caribbean port Cartagena, but it cost his $ 300. Let's put it!
So I flew to the capital, Bogota. It was so cold the first night I froze right. Unlike the one or other beach trip was in the right place Sightseeing announced. Especially amused me, the seller on the street, who have virtually built their own kiosk product, and have times as a sign that says "200 (pesos) / minuto" set up next to him .. the Lonely Planet guide did not lie with his description of "UN calls need to make in Bogota not worry, on every street corner people with their phones, you can use." So it was really so. I recognized every day more differences to Costa Rica, it's hard to believe it, but countries are totally different. At night, compare Bogota and San Jose, however. On my night taxi ride from the airport to the hotel we saw really just addicted bum on the streets, no one else. "Back Home", I thought.
Colombian specialty, "Arepa, corn tortillas, you eat for breakfast 
Plaza de Bolivar. Back on the mountain is a church ... the closer you'll see the same 
my first Colombian Breakfast "chocolate y queso" .. 
Polizeimusuem, the oldest building in Bogota 
where Pablo Escobar was hidden under his other cash. 
said the church .... 
... and the view went to the 8 million inhabitants 
from Bogota to Medellin. Everything, of course, by plane, these domestic flights were dirt cheap, so I let it go well my times. In Medellin, I then a friend who I met last year on my trip to New York, and with which I have since stayed in contact through the Internet met again. We cooked dinner together and are still celebrating gone. It was great to reunite with Lina. At that time, she could hardly speak English and I am not Hispanic, this time we could communicate better. Medellin was great, but not much warmer than Bogota, but very interesting. Especially known for the drug lord Pablo Escobar, the Medellin (he led the movement of drugs around South America). There have
I can not even so-called "paragliding" escape. It was on a mountain from which you are then flown around with a kind of parachute in the air, using all natural. From above, we had about 20 minutes super views of the city.
From Medellin we went on to Santa Marta, the oldest colonial city in Colombia. Located on the Atlantic coast of Colombia, that is Caribbean coast, very near Barranquilla (where Shakira comes from). The city was so beautiful, it was a dream! The first day I had a look at the city and am looking Taganga, a small fishing village nearby, that especially with Israeli tourists who are on their annual visit to South America, is popular because they can be there like down by 2 weeks. With a van that came out of Santa Marta, I went to Taganga to the beach. From there I wanted to put any fishermen for usury-tourist-price with a beautiful beach. Ha! Since I'm running. After 10 minutes walk I was also arrived and had my time on the road directly by dark-skinned with a small son, given a coconut oil body massage for little money. The nice masseuse was on my right leg massage, when I suddenly spührte left leg tiny hands as they massaged me. If not he must go to school, I asked the little ones. Right now he is on holiday, so he now works a little bit with his father, said about the 5 year old boy! A dream. 2 days later I still smelled deliciously of coconut.
slept in my room with a nice English couple and a Dane. All invited me to dinner or to a round of Coke, I declined the nice invitation but would prefer from! At night I had it then with hyperactive Danes slept in the room. He could patou not decide whether he wanted to leaning out from the wall, sitting, or lying in bed but sleep. Because somehow he wanted to sleep not at all!
Santa Marta
from left, Max from Germany, Jonas from Switzerland, two were with the "weltwärts" program 1 year in Colombia. On the far right, another Swiss .. 
Taganga
Very close to Santa Marta is the National Park Tayrona, "I wanted to visit. Some people also visit the so-called "lost city", reached after a 3 day walk. Unfortunately, I had no time ... Well, I was going to the beach "Los Angeles", which should be adjacent to the park on the other side and should be a tip for super cool beaches. Since I wanted to look yet again. And so it was .... I felt so free that I spontaneously decided to spend the night there. The beach was really nice, surrounded by nothing. A family home of a Colombian family living there since time immemorial. He runs about 10 hammocks and a small tent standing, and the terrain, the wife cooks for the few guests. The more beautiful the day, the colder the night. After not so comfortable sleeping in a hammock, I promised myself to sleep the next day in the tent. I met a Colombian couple. Super people, and 20, he 23, both students from Bogota. We decided the next day to drive along the park. I got up at 6, went on the secluded beach run, then it went off. We waited along the road on a van, you never know when they will come when people say "Do not worry, coming regularly," so you still never know when because the bus now is coming! Well, he was then, at the park, I was allowed to pay by a little Rumgetrikse with my Colombian friends the price of admission for Colombia ($ 13) rather than the tourist price (30! Dollars). Because it saved me that I could be good times to me directly go the following day. Valerie and Rodrigo went back to the beach on the same day Los Angeles where they had left their tent. However, I am marching on, past beautiful beaches to the largest night shelter Cabo. I had heard that this camp is to be not very high quality. Therefore, I took my noodles and was already prepared for the worst. After my arrival I learned that the whole camp of 20 young, sometimes old men will be thrown. But of course that do not pay attention to good food or clean toilets! It turned out that all these men were actually incredibly nice guys! I was the lone woman of course in the best position. Politely asked for water for my instant noodles and was not only water but also established temporary table and chair next to my tent, and at night a couple of nice Rumshots along with "You're the most beautiful woman of Colombia" compliments. So it can live, because of low quality, super I found!
Valerie and Rodrigo!
way down to the beach Los Angeles
my place to sleep!
Los Angeles!
The 2 days in paradise on earth had to deal, unfortunately, I had to return to Santa Marta, where again the hostel was waiting with nice pool in the courtyard. I went the next Day on the way to Cartagena, the World Heritage City and the Caribbean port in Colombia. Another colonial city of which I had heard so much. Especially at night was the inner city, who was with city walls and streets and beautiful colonial-equipped buildings, impressive.
the Hard Rock Cafe 
sweets. 
The hostel, which I have been recommended in Santa Marta, was sooo nice. Of course with swimming pool and the house of an old building. Sorry, no air conditioning. No, this has nothing to do with his spoils, it was really hot and humid! Got myself a room in the hotel across rented and have come across almost only for pool use. So it went well. In Cartagena I again Max and Jonas, both of which were in the same exchange program as I have only just in Colombia (we did not know before) taken. We had met in Medellin and we have then met by chance in Santa Marta, Tayrona and Cartagena in again. Did you just yet all the same route. With another Swiss, I had made friends already in Santa Marta, with him I went to meet again in Cartagena the "slope". We landed in front of a Cuban Salsabar near the hostel in the center of Cartagena, which seems to be very popular because of the Venezuelan reporter remote tendon were there to report to report. The fully-falschbusige reporter was an eye-catcher for all Colombian men for miles in the bar!
Swiss and I went through all the shops to buy the desired of me Diet Coke. Gabs nowhere, not even Pepsi Light. A black drug addict who probably picked the streets of Cartagena, came up to us and asked if he could bring us something. He wanted to get me so my diet coke, and for that then, 499 times as much as he has paid for it. The Swiss felt unwell, and said to me "Come on let's go to the other side of the street" You knew he did not know something safe. I, however, already, I felt very at home even in the presence of the crack heads. However, it was a bit mad, the Swiss would look at him condescendingly that he is racist .. and blah ... I reassured him and twisted everything around me, in women as men are always somewhat milder "I'm not a racist" I said, he was already soft "No, no, but you do not! You are ne love!" .. and already he was satisfied. He spoke in English with me, he has lived ever in the States, he told me. Not anymore, because he was deported was. caught with drugs! But his wife still lives there, by the way he tells this if that's not hard is that they live so far away ... "Oh, nee if I want to the States, I'll go easy on the port and sit there in one of the wooden crates, if look away the security guards. Then I'll take me with water and crackers, and then after a few days stop of San Blas (paradise islands in Panama), I'm here! ".. as it would be the easiest of the world, sometimes as easy to smuggle across 10 countries. But what I would actually do, he asked. Then it was funny .. "I work with drug users' .. "Oh, I'm addicted!" .. "Yeah, I see the already, what do you properly smoke crack. And also coke ?"... "Yes, cokes and sometimes ... what do you "thank you, no, we'll see you then !"..." Do you ?"... maybe something change? ".." Sorry, not available .. And take care ..".. away was the encounter. Nett they are so, the Colombians. Even if it is all but considerably in the heart, to get rid of her coke.
should not far from Cartagena and the beautiful beach "Playa Blanca," white beach lying. There, I then drove down for a night and slept right back in a hammock in "Hugo's Place, on the beach. Unbelievable, I enjoyed coconuts and himself private snorkel ago by Hugo, of course, just wanted to my butt. But anyway, I've snorkeled yes. Night at 12 was always going on Hugo to buy fresh fish from the fishermen for the next day. So delicious fish you get really only in the Caribbean. Who made the super Negras, which one in the morning rasping coconut (for the Caribbean coconut rice) and talking about everything under the sun on the beach anfand.
my place to sleep! 
Well, from the infinitely Cartagena so hot back into the infinite cold Bogota, where I and cold, was clear, my last day in Colombia began.
At the airport I was then asked about my exit papers from Costa Rica. My host mother, which I had even booked my ticket to Colombia, told me something like this before I left. I should bring the documents but rather times. Then she told me so about the last evening of my departure, and one in Costa Rica also not just print something like that be because no one has even a printer, and I probably could go bad at such short notice in a Call Shop, I thought to myself "Oh yes else is already .. never had problems" ... so good, now wanted So they but the documents. In Costa Rica. The point I would have them. Yes cool, reservation number, I'm not. I therefore in the internet shop, picked out number from the travel agency and American Airlines of Germany, called, no one there (it was clear even in the middle of the night), so we should the American Airlines emergency hotline call. Well, I will. Wind Chill 8 hours, I had to be first with a computer voice chat, which kept asking me some things about my book, but I just wanted to give any information that would let more combine for me. It took so long! Entire $ 6 poorer, I finally had my reservation number and could get my Flight data print. Who knows how long I had been sitting in Colombia.
Before the gate I met by chance for 2 Israeli girls who I had met in Santa Marta. They told me then, ironically, that they had exchanged their flight date and therefore a day early at the airport were. They told them that they needed just this exit, and also that they fly the next day. Since the two were on backpacking tour and still had garkeine return ticket, they have developed quickly and funnily enough, a self-designed bus ticket from Panama to Costa Rica. How well is, of course!
retrospect Colombia was a very nice Country. I would have looked like a few other areas, such as the coffee area or the Amazon. The people in the capital as a little distant from the coast. The kitchen, I found something to corn-heavy. On the men must get used to. Charming they were, if you throw kisses to standing on the street and großtönige compliments! I thought, worse than the Ticos will not do, but I now had the living proof that it is just yet. I regret not appropriate to have traveled there!
still quite hyper by the great Colombia were the last 2 weeks Costa Rica. No one could believe it. Benita leave the country again, it is still just arrived. For me, the anticipation grew up an organized Germany with real cheese and good cereal, while of course I was a little wistful. Who knows when I'll come back again. And even if so, I'll be a tourist, not as now, almost half-Tica.
was at the farewell party of my organization ACI. I did - now, thanks to a long beach stay quasi Morena - to tan. All of us who have shared this experience with each other almost had to now leave each other somehow. It is just never again be so. It is so grown together, just because you had to face the same challenges and exchange ideas and has always been able to be understood. Especially Tica my girlfriend Raquel, I had already met at that time in Germany, was very sad to say goodbye.
Marleen, I, Raquel, Basti and Merle
I, Hannah, Marleen, Merle
A large group took the occasion of a birthday again to Puerto Viejo. Since my girls were also missing and I do not. On the first evening in the Bar Tex Mex asked me directly to where I was, then, for a long time have not seen it myself. "I was in Colombia I had to reciprocate ...".... Of course no one knew what I wanted because, in Colombia! I was eventually another 4 days there and had the pleasure of my life. Great parties surrounded by reggae and Rastafarians. What I would now give to still go there. or two times
On the penultimate weekend of the pilgrims was also run on to Cartago. From San Jose to Cartago, safely said 50 miles, you walk like that, to the basilica (church) to make a pilgrimage there. Since everyone was really there. In my family of course, almost everyone except the grandfather and visiting mother Jessie, the better chats with boyfriend from Chile. I've also kept discreet about it. Everyone was disappointed that I had to make so that I can tell them in Germany. It took me then not yet convinced.
have in recent days, I am then again right down to the wheel and what is right German - meatballs and pasta salad - cooked. I am an artist as a cook, of course, been very good about all tasted it! Not only the family but also the guys from Alajuelita.
Especially since the bye was hard. I wanted to go at all. Wilbert has helped me so throughout the year. Juan is a mixture of mentor and friend has become. Throughout the year were all worried about me that I was well enough so respected and recognized my work. If I was not even there, I was missing a direct and even had the feeling, without Benita it is just different. At my friend Norman gekullert are even a few tears. The words that were said to me sounded very sincere and honest. I know I'll be there always welcome, and that I have done a good job. They will keep me safe forever in our memories, that makes me very happy. By some people, I even get letters. Especially also the letter from my friend Johnny, not at all so now everything is in the center has really touched me. He has written, as I told him in a very difficult time with the music that we both heard a lot and moved my way forward, what business was also ultimately my goal. That made me very happy and we feel very much that I became an important become person in'm Johnny.
dazzling back again, my grandpa with aufgestiltem Dog Christmas!
Juan and I on my last Sunday in church!
Ivan! 
Carlos with his wife and child, I had often seen him with vodka bottle on the street, until he completely finished a zig-stes-fold in the center arrived! 
farewell photo! Guido, Wilberth, I, Norman, Alex
The last day at the pit was surprising. My coach Leiva is generally not a master of big words, but "te quiero mucho," I love you very much, he often says. I am so important to him but I had not thought of. I arrived, there came Leiva towards me with a homemade miniature boxing ring. A larger of which he would have to Hannah Gabriel, the world champion, a friend made of him. I was so agitated about it. On the corners he has written, "Benita - Costa - Rica - Boxeo". He has earned a place of honor with me, wherever I am! Above all, my
Boxkumpane Kike was really sad that I say goodbye had. We write now to receive periodic e-mails.
Leiva and I 
Kike 
at the National Theater in San Jose 
My family, especially my host cousins wanted me not to leave. My little cousin Sebastian guest gave me a necklace. A small key dangling from it, which he said "This is the key to our hearts, so us not forget", 10 years old. Especially from my Gastopa I wanted to adopt me. Through his lung cancer, I do not know if I'll ever see him again. With him I had a special relationship. I my best understood with him ... Jessie, Guest uncle Elias and Gastopa are ultimately come with me to the airport and have adopted very warmly. I was always welcome to them. I think so too!
my 3 guest Gabo Cousins, Sebas and Steven
It would be no better, the same can not imagine a sadder farewell
So my time in Costa Rica had zuendegehen ..
Back in Germany, the joy was so great to finally see my mother again. Our common Erebnisse on their trip to Costa Rica has improved our relationship and we very much obliged. I was first glad to be back in Germany, where everyone is on time, where I think about everything and can pull that information from the Internet, where there is no rice and beans every day where I can reach everything quickly and not for every one Getting there hour and for coming back two hours reckoned (wg rush hour), where people tell me that they do not know the way, if they do not really know him and not send me to Wallachia ...
put Fairly quickly the joy when I realized, shit, here are all really German. For the "typical German", and there are very many here, let it tell you, but just has his bad sides. Again and again have I am against the prejudice that we Germans had fought so cold. But it's true! Believe it might not, because you never really something else durftet such as the handling of people in Costa Rica experience, but it is so. I too had to understand that just has not done this unless I experience in Costa Rica. I'm just matured it and saw what I saw and learned what I learned. The same things have, however, most not seen or experienced, therefore they do not understand me. There is perhaps some hard to understand my stories, but it is even harder to deal with people that the world that we have seen myself do not know and understand them. My second life culture shock!
was now at my final evaluation, on which I have learned a lot about sustainability. Many things have shocked me, but the topic interested me very much and I during a phase right now where I'm thinking about how I should live. That is how consumer-friendly life I want. I am seriously, most of them to give up meat. Not because I do not like it, but because I have seen, among other things, how poor some people are in the world and how much we here - especially in Germany - and consume water and other resources are squandered. I do not want to support me so much and try so limit. The consumption of organic fruits and vegetables and products is also I think a useful thing if you do not want child labor in Indosien, deforestation of the rain forest or the empty fish support the world's oceans. Ultimately, it is indeed the consumers, so I that controls the economy.
mitlerweile I've settled in well. It took time, but it works. I will begin my studies at the Fachhochschule Köln (Multilingual communication, English and English) and have a new job at the Hyatt Hotel started.
With regard to my future me Costa Rica has done just fine.
Not only cultural encounters and tolerance, many more people having the ability tasks to cope more easily assess people and especially for myself to ponder who I should give myself and who I should be careful. When I think about how I was then asked by the pastor before a 50-strong group, and simply should inform Sun Or, as I first Carlitos've seen on the streets. Or, as I first saw a crack-dependent, as he trembled with his rotten teeth and dirty, tattered clothes, as he his plate, he wanted to keep, could hold almost not because he trembled so. One does not know something, yes! I know it. Not to lezt encounters in prison at the time, and the visits in the slum or Tejarcillos the Zona Roja, where you always saw some familiar faces .. I have learned to deal with people, although there are not at all in Germany, so that would apply here, but as "rabble", as the bottom layer. If there were resin 4 is not in Germany, we would be also a lot more homeless people on the street. Dealing with these people was not easy, especially with regard to their "sick" character. I realized we may not "have reservations about," often we see such people as unpredictable, you do not know what they're capable of. And yes, mostly they are bad to some capable, but if you are nice and respectful, but also into the back of the head has, with what surrounds it is for people who are criminals, then one usually receives only good. Also, such people can have a good heart, you have to finally watch them the good in people. Just stay cute! as it is laid down their lives ultimately up to them as long as they do not bring me people in danger, I can not change it anyway! I can even now, thanks to a deal years of drug center in Costa Rica to Germany alcoholics! Thank God!
Ultimately, I consider myself very lucky to have had the chance to take that abroad. Above all, however, that I've just worked in Canaan, has millions of my maturing process probably time speeds up. I have seen much of the world, which can take me no more, and people got to know that there are so - I would say - not to be found in Germany are.
am Finally, I believe, to have done a good job there. The thing I did was possible, did. Also in the future, it will satisfy me, I think very much for other people to be there, I have experienced that it fills me with joy to help. There are really many people who deserve it also time that they get what ...
Lastly a quote from my bank, Costa Rica, HSBC:
The more you look at the world, the more you recognize that what one personal values may be different to the next.
The more you look at the world, the more you realize that what a person appreciates perhaps different, than what the neighbor estimates.
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