... he just called to say he refused the eye operation. he would have to pay 1500$ for it, and he's saving every penny for a flight to Europe the minute he gets out. I promised him the ticket will be waiting, he just has to have his operation now.
he did consult with a doctor in Puntarenas, he was very excited to see a city and people in the streets after 2 years. And guess what: they took off his handcuffs in the doctor's office! that was a special treatment for him alone, the others usually must keep cuffs on the whole time they are out of the prison.
He's fine, writing articles for the paper on americans in Costa Rica, sends his love to all readers.
Still no news on the animal clinic, but there are 2 dogs on the prison grounds, though he hasn't seen the kitten anymore.
He is also very excited about the trip erik and Theo and i are planning this summer, sailing to England and France. So i sent him a book on coastal sailing in England, so he can prepare. He says what he has said all my life: "go for it, Do it!" but i can hear in his voice that he is pretty afraid for us.
Kiss to all
Holly
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
another letter
20 march 2007
My new barracks are for prisoners who seem to have done more than half of their time. My new cellmates, mostly sex offenders, do menial labor on the prison grounds. Cooks, dishwashers, gardeners etc. I first i believed i would have the freedom of the yard during the day.No, only on sundays, and wednesdays can i promenade to the football field. During the working hours i am left alone in solitude at the barracks, and that is a GIGANTIC plus! I have served the majority of the time i will be here, just like my shipmates. Some of them have been inside a very long time, fat old balding men, they look like senior business executives. These men are somber and beaten. Their families have long deserted them. An occasional mother comes to visit, but that's it. It is so much more tranquil here without the constant grab-ass, the quick tempers of the younger people who just started their time.
I am also different. After the loss of "senor citizen quarters" I have lost interest in others. I do not want to know these new people, these criminals. I have ignored the friendship overtures except maybe this one elderly gentleman who makes guitars. He gives concerts on visitors day, i really want to get down and jam with him, but this place is different. I know now that half of 5 years is 2 years and 6 months. It will be november and that's final. I will do it, i will survive. I have arranged a visit to the dentist and to the eye doctor. My only problem is i'm out of marijuana. Now that's a real Problem.
My new barracks are for prisoners who seem to have done more than half of their time. My new cellmates, mostly sex offenders, do menial labor on the prison grounds. Cooks, dishwashers, gardeners etc. I first i believed i would have the freedom of the yard during the day.No, only on sundays, and wednesdays can i promenade to the football field. During the working hours i am left alone in solitude at the barracks, and that is a GIGANTIC plus! I have served the majority of the time i will be here, just like my shipmates. Some of them have been inside a very long time, fat old balding men, they look like senior business executives. These men are somber and beaten. Their families have long deserted them. An occasional mother comes to visit, but that's it. It is so much more tranquil here without the constant grab-ass, the quick tempers of the younger people who just started their time.
I am also different. After the loss of "senor citizen quarters" I have lost interest in others. I do not want to know these new people, these criminals. I have ignored the friendship overtures except maybe this one elderly gentleman who makes guitars. He gives concerts on visitors day, i really want to get down and jam with him, but this place is different. I know now that half of 5 years is 2 years and 6 months. It will be november and that's final. I will do it, i will survive. I have arranged a visit to the dentist and to the eye doctor. My only problem is i'm out of marijuana. Now that's a real Problem.
Holly's side
Just spoke again to Brad, he hasn't called for 10 days. It does worry me when he doesn't call. So i sit down with a phone card, a cup of tea and start dialing. If i try 25 times in a row i can usually get through at some point. I can't get through on the regular phone lines, the number is blocked to international calls. Only with the phone cards, and everybody knows what a bitch that is... takes forever to dial a number. But sometimes, it works. Then the trouble starts: i try to explain i'd like to speak to "Braolio" in spanish, and go through three different people before i find one who understands my english-italian, and finally i get him on the line. A few tears each time, standard questions are "what did you eat, what are you wearing..." and he tells his news.
Anyway he is fine, the cataract operation was scheduled for today (last week was ~La Semana Santa!~) and the 2 weeks before the truck was broken. Today it wasn't the truck, the electricity fell out all over the place. So the prisoners all spent the day outside, no work, just sitting in the grass. Bradley started carving and working with his hands. Not bad...
He also told me something fabulous has happened: they opened on the prison grounds an animal shelter/clininc! he is on the list to do volunteer work there. and last night a lost kitten crawled in bed beside him. Now, this is the man who refused to leave the island during a hurricane alert, because his dog would be afraid without him!
ok that's it for now, he sends his greetings to all readers and hopes for loads of reactions! so people, leave a message.
Anyway he is fine, the cataract operation was scheduled for today (last week was ~La Semana Santa!~) and the 2 weeks before the truck was broken. Today it wasn't the truck, the electricity fell out all over the place. So the prisoners all spent the day outside, no work, just sitting in the grass. Bradley started carving and working with his hands. Not bad...
He also told me something fabulous has happened: they opened on the prison grounds an animal shelter/clininc! he is on the list to do volunteer work there. and last night a lost kitten crawled in bed beside him. Now, this is the man who refused to leave the island during a hurricane alert, because his dog would be afraid without him!
ok that's it for now, he sends his greetings to all readers and hopes for loads of reactions! so people, leave a message.
Monday, April 16, 2007
diary of sorts... from Costa Rica.
january 07.
This day is special. I have given upall hope of release through the system, reduction of charges, my age, my non-existant "criminal-history". I see this is all emptiness. The outside is november. ten more months. Today i accept this, I feel a song in my heart. I cannot feel upset over trifles when i have so much going for me, besides an ear-splitting gratitude for another sunrise.I hear the voice of Perry Como, crooning the marriage between love and hope. The music television seems to know i am watching, it'splaying only my favorites. The spanish have an aptitude to let it all go on the dance floor. The day i will return to my audience and my microphone is coming. I will survive these boiled eyes with empty unseeing visions of nothing but concrete walls, with steel-barred skylight for the next twenty or thirty or even fifty years. NOT ME!
january 17th.
Wednesday! Big interpenal football game. During the game, it will be my duty to hold on to the 20 grams of crack which the winners will receive. I will attend in my official capacity, but it is too nice a day to just sit and observe this organized mayham.
The game begins with a vicious kick-off; no referee.Back and forth inside the fenced perimeter of the playing field. As i watch the kicking, the intense running, the precise feet, i notice something else watching the game. Outside the fence is a medium sized brown and white dog intently enjoying the activity. Back and forth, this ecstatic canine followed the action from the fence. All things considered i prefer dogs to people.Man's best friend, better to say: Man's only friend, ever.
The harsh game continued at a brisk pace. to a draw! nothing to nothing. The male violence increased toplain violence. A fist fight broke out. The guards were called in to stop the struggle. The struggle for the contents of my pocket... All back inside. Football was cancelled, the game was called off, champions were chosen to square off and settle the bets, men to men. I did not watch the bout. it was decided to settle all bets with the fists. The dog will have to find his entertainment elsewhere.
March 2007
My hair is back to an acceptable length:my shoulders. The day before that god-awful day i tried to get to Amsterdam through Madrid, i was given a haircut! Those who know me, know the problems i have always had since i was an infant. My crowning glory grew forward,society decreed it brushed back... It matted, the powers in control of my destiny called it Nappy.
Now like Samson, my locks have returned to an acceptable length. I look fabulous! The beard will soon have a tint"just for men". I need a shampoo!
March 2007.
Disease, Disaster, Destruction. All hopes for Senior accomodations were crushed, through lies lies lies.They say i did not take advantage of the possibility of rehabilitation that was offered me, i made no contribution to the system, i have no family living in the united states to vouch for my parole... This is ridiculous! They are saying i have never taught an english class in jail (i have, every day, even to the guards!) They say i haven't followed the Aids and drugs rehabilitation classes (i have!) they even deny i have family living in Miami, in Tampa, in New York, in New Orleans. Absurd and so effective denials. My lament is i believed in Costa Rica, in the system. I really love this country. I am hurt! It is like a woman i love, who would lie and dismiss any emotional involvement i have with her. I sit and watch my students, my former illiterate students, now reading a newspaper, now writing letters to their family. I taught them how to read! How to write! The system denies these fantastic achievements.
Later, i learned that these luxury quarters are always denied to common people, they are reserved for the politicians and rich crooks, they knew this when i was planning and sending for my dog to join me there. Like Jesus. No room at the inn . Regulated to the stables. Now i can abandon this hope too. It was a lie, like so long ago when they gave me back my passport, lowered the charges against me. That night they caught me they told mesenior citizens were always automatically paroled, even before they told me i had the right to remain silent.
I would have dropped the dime on the folks who sent me, but automatic parole, that's different. i believed them, i pleaded guilty. It was all a lie.
I have said and written and sung beautiful things about costa Rica, and i will go on. But this Tica system is a lie. This is graduation day in the university of life.
I will stay in puntarenas until i leave, but i will be transferred to another section, i will be allowed to go out in the yard. A trustee. Wow!
This day is special. I have given upall hope of release through the system, reduction of charges, my age, my non-existant "criminal-history". I see this is all emptiness. The outside is november. ten more months. Today i accept this, I feel a song in my heart. I cannot feel upset over trifles when i have so much going for me, besides an ear-splitting gratitude for another sunrise.I hear the voice of Perry Como, crooning the marriage between love and hope. The music television seems to know i am watching, it'splaying only my favorites. The spanish have an aptitude to let it all go on the dance floor. The day i will return to my audience and my microphone is coming. I will survive these boiled eyes with empty unseeing visions of nothing but concrete walls, with steel-barred skylight for the next twenty or thirty or even fifty years. NOT ME!
january 17th.
Wednesday! Big interpenal football game. During the game, it will be my duty to hold on to the 20 grams of crack which the winners will receive. I will attend in my official capacity, but it is too nice a day to just sit and observe this organized mayham.
The game begins with a vicious kick-off; no referee.Back and forth inside the fenced perimeter of the playing field. As i watch the kicking, the intense running, the precise feet, i notice something else watching the game. Outside the fence is a medium sized brown and white dog intently enjoying the activity. Back and forth, this ecstatic canine followed the action from the fence. All things considered i prefer dogs to people.Man's best friend, better to say: Man's only friend, ever.
The harsh game continued at a brisk pace. to a draw! nothing to nothing. The male violence increased toplain violence. A fist fight broke out. The guards were called in to stop the struggle. The struggle for the contents of my pocket... All back inside. Football was cancelled, the game was called off, champions were chosen to square off and settle the bets, men to men. I did not watch the bout. it was decided to settle all bets with the fists. The dog will have to find his entertainment elsewhere.
March 2007
My hair is back to an acceptable length:my shoulders. The day before that god-awful day i tried to get to Amsterdam through Madrid, i was given a haircut! Those who know me, know the problems i have always had since i was an infant. My crowning glory grew forward,society decreed it brushed back... It matted, the powers in control of my destiny called it Nappy.
Now like Samson, my locks have returned to an acceptable length. I look fabulous! The beard will soon have a tint"just for men". I need a shampoo!
March 2007.
Disease, Disaster, Destruction. All hopes for Senior accomodations were crushed, through lies lies lies.They say i did not take advantage of the possibility of rehabilitation that was offered me, i made no contribution to the system, i have no family living in the united states to vouch for my parole... This is ridiculous! They are saying i have never taught an english class in jail (i have, every day, even to the guards!) They say i haven't followed the Aids and drugs rehabilitation classes (i have!) they even deny i have family living in Miami, in Tampa, in New York, in New Orleans. Absurd and so effective denials. My lament is i believed in Costa Rica, in the system. I really love this country. I am hurt! It is like a woman i love, who would lie and dismiss any emotional involvement i have with her. I sit and watch my students, my former illiterate students, now reading a newspaper, now writing letters to their family. I taught them how to read! How to write! The system denies these fantastic achievements.
Later, i learned that these luxury quarters are always denied to common people, they are reserved for the politicians and rich crooks, they knew this when i was planning and sending for my dog to join me there. Like Jesus. No room at the inn . Regulated to the stables. Now i can abandon this hope too. It was a lie, like so long ago when they gave me back my passport, lowered the charges against me. That night they caught me they told mesenior citizens were always automatically paroled, even before they told me i had the right to remain silent.
I would have dropped the dime on the folks who sent me, but automatic parole, that's different. i believed them, i pleaded guilty. It was all a lie.
I have said and written and sung beautiful things about costa Rica, and i will go on. But this Tica system is a lie. This is graduation day in the university of life.
I will stay in puntarenas until i leave, but i will be transferred to another section, i will be allowed to go out in the yard. A trustee. Wow!
poems from jail
Just received this poem, written in jail in Costa Rica.
One day each week is insignificant.
One day every week is a non-event.
Other days have lots of class,
Only wednesday finishes last.
Saturday or sunday is Sabbath to someone.
Evangelical Gospel is completely overdone.
Thor'smighty hammer defines it's day.
The sky is alive when Thor has his say.
Old hard tuesday is famous in song.
Friday is payday when it comes along.
A new week commences every monday.
All this ignores only one day.
I claim wednesday formy day.
In my world i have my say.
I command wednesday, it's divine.
I say wednesday is allmine.
Bradford X, march 2007.
That airport cop spotted me quick
He was the aerodrome's top kick
The pinnacle of self betrayal
Now i'm locked inside your jail.
My face turned red when he spotted me
I am your new incarceree
you make the rules and i accept
I pay the price of that intercept.
You like to snot and spit on the floor
You wipe your ass on the bathroom door.
You dig your nose past your knuckle
Then lick your fingers with a chuckle.
I must be careful inside your jail.
I am inside your manure pail.
I will endure and face the facts
I will survive AND remain intact.
Bradford x, march 2007
One day each week is insignificant.
One day every week is a non-event.
Other days have lots of class,
Only wednesday finishes last.
Saturday or sunday is Sabbath to someone.
Evangelical Gospel is completely overdone.
Thor'smighty hammer defines it's day.
The sky is alive when Thor has his say.
Old hard tuesday is famous in song.
Friday is payday when it comes along.
A new week commences every monday.
All this ignores only one day.
I claim wednesday formy day.
In my world i have my say.
I command wednesday, it's divine.
I say wednesday is allmine.
Bradford X, march 2007.
That airport cop spotted me quick
He was the aerodrome's top kick
The pinnacle of self betrayal
Now i'm locked inside your jail.
My face turned red when he spotted me
I am your new incarceree
you make the rules and i accept
I pay the price of that intercept.
You like to snot and spit on the floor
You wipe your ass on the bathroom door.
You dig your nose past your knuckle
Then lick your fingers with a chuckle.
I must be careful inside your jail.
I am inside your manure pail.
I will endure and face the facts
I will survive AND remain intact.
Bradford x, march 2007
poems from jail
Just received this poem, written in jail in Costa Rica.
One day each week is insignificant.
One day every week is a non-event.
Other days have lots of class,
Only wednesday finishes last.
Saturday or sunday is Sabbath to someone.
Evangelical Gospel is completely overdone.
Thor'smighty hammer defines it's day.
The sky is alive when Thor has his say.
Old hard tuesday is famous in song.
Friday is payday when it comes along.
A new week commences every monday.
All this ignores only one day.
I claim wednesday formy day.
In my world i have my say.
I command wednesday, it's divine.
I say wednesday is allmine.
Bradford X,march 2007.
One day each week is insignificant.
One day every week is a non-event.
Other days have lots of class,
Only wednesday finishes last.
Saturday or sunday is Sabbath to someone.
Evangelical Gospel is completely overdone.
Thor'smighty hammer defines it's day.
The sky is alive when Thor has his say.
Old hard tuesday is famous in song.
Friday is payday when it comes along.
A new week commences every monday.
All this ignores only one day.
I claim wednesday formy day.
In my world i have my say.
I command wednesday, it's divine.
I say wednesday is allmine.
Bradford X,march 2007.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)