Nothing much to tell, we are visiting the prison everyday and spending the rest of the day running errands for Bradley and lying in the sun. I could get used to this!
Yesterday Maarten has arrived, it is always great to see a friend you love, but this time he has come especially to meet Bradley and talk to him about a movie he wants to make on "aerial smuggler". Bradley is thrilled and flattered!
Natascha and Esteban are invaluable helps. they call lawyers, arrange meetings with people for us, help us to think constructively.
Yesterday we met the family that will receive him when/if he comes out. he needed a place to stay, at least the first few days. Valerio and Patricia, beautiful people, agreed to put him up, this was 6 months ago. he could spend the first few months with him, because as Valerio put it, it´s his political belief that people should help each other. But it turns out that both of them have lost their jobs in the meantime, they are forced to sell their house and move into a much smaller flat, but they are still willing to put him up only they can´t guarantee a full year, or even a few months. they can guarantee him a job, so they will check with the lawyer and the judge if this is ok, that he moves out after a few days. They also wanted to know why he was in jail, we told them very clearly... because he is stupid, told them what he did.
next day we told brad that we were worried about him, and made him sign a contract that he will behave and not be a bother, not run away if it could remotely put Valerio and Patricia in trouble etc.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Holly´s story
We have been able to visit him everyday, which is a privilege. Hope our luck keeps up! He gave me a handful of letters to publish on the blog, he is looking good and hopeful and healthy. We laugh and cry and talk, chat with other prisoners and talk some more. It still looks like a beautiful well kept park, prisoners sit outside all day and wait. and wait. and wait.
today something wonderful happened: i had with me a small ubstick, to plug in a computer. On it was a recortding of CJ playing the trumpet. I knew the prisoners had no access to a computer, but ... who knows?
Today during the visit the new director of the prison came to introduce himself to us, a young man with pleasant manners. on a whim, i asked if he had a computer i could use to show the old man his grand son... and he said YES, OF COURSE! so we all ran upstairs to his office, he explained that it is usually not allowed but Bradley hasn´t seen the children for so long...
so we plugged it in, Bradley cried and we all watched CJ on his trumpet... There was no sound, the computer didn´t have a sound system. But the images were perfect, he saw his bow and cried.
Now we are back at the hotel, sitting by the pool.
same tomorrow, same everyday.
everybody, cross your fingers!
today something wonderful happened: i had with me a small ubstick, to plug in a computer. On it was a recortding of CJ playing the trumpet. I knew the prisoners had no access to a computer, but ... who knows?
Today during the visit the new director of the prison came to introduce himself to us, a young man with pleasant manners. on a whim, i asked if he had a computer i could use to show the old man his grand son... and he said YES, OF COURSE! so we all ran upstairs to his office, he explained that it is usually not allowed but Bradley hasn´t seen the children for so long...
so we plugged it in, Bradley cried and we all watched CJ on his trumpet... There was no sound, the computer didn´t have a sound system. But the images were perfect, he saw his bow and cried.
Now we are back at the hotel, sitting by the pool.
same tomorrow, same everyday.
everybody, cross your fingers!
Bradley´s story
march 2008
On numerous evenings, the english speaking prisoners relax and analyze topics, from airplanes to zoology. Tonight´s subject: man´s greatest invention. which invention of the brain plays the biggest part in directing destiny.
Opinions differed, from the wheel, the printing press, the throwing stick, electricity, sailboat, shoes... After a heated debate including the utility, the improvement of standard of life or the point of view, the final determination all agreed upon was the invention of a living god.
I am not talking about the almighty engineer who created a cosmos. we know nothing of this infinite entity with powers that originated macrocosm. bAny answer we can give on this subject are metaphors for what we cannot grasp.
An example is the theoretical Jehovah´s bestowal of the 10 commandements, which the catholic church has altered to promote nordic supremacy. Any portrayal of God or angels are blue-eyed blonds. As a child i asked a priest " are there any black or chinese angels?" >I´ll never forget his answer: " don´t be ridiculous."
So this depiction is the supreme invention of man, and we all agreed.
On numerous evenings, the english speaking prisoners relax and analyze topics, from airplanes to zoology. Tonight´s subject: man´s greatest invention. which invention of the brain plays the biggest part in directing destiny.
Opinions differed, from the wheel, the printing press, the throwing stick, electricity, sailboat, shoes... After a heated debate including the utility, the improvement of standard of life or the point of view, the final determination all agreed upon was the invention of a living god.
I am not talking about the almighty engineer who created a cosmos. we know nothing of this infinite entity with powers that originated macrocosm. bAny answer we can give on this subject are metaphors for what we cannot grasp.
An example is the theoretical Jehovah´s bestowal of the 10 commandements, which the catholic church has altered to promote nordic supremacy. Any portrayal of God or angels are blue-eyed blonds. As a child i asked a priest " are there any black or chinese angels?" >I´ll never forget his answer: " don´t be ridiculous."
So this depiction is the supreme invention of man, and we all agreed.
Bradley's story
march 3rd, 2008
This morning i wnet to court, again. I dressed and shaved carefully, put on my clean white shirt. Arrangements had been made in advance for the interpreter, so i really expected somethinbg to happen. I entered the courtroom with hope and aspirations. An intense looking judge came in, sat down, looked thru all the papers and said " all is in order. Schedule the family where he will live to be in the courtroom on march 24th." a Bang with her gravel, a hard look at me and she got up and left. WAS THAT ALL?
Bewildered i retreated back to the old man´s jailtrying to understand the mystery of the Costa Rican legal system. They could have told me that when i was here in january, it would have been so easy to arrange. I lost 2 months for... nothing.
Now the hardest part. call her, tell someone i love that it is not for today.
I Costa Rica i have learned and absorbed the meaning of love. It is so much more than desire, than yearning or longing. And today i have no choice but to call her and give her the bad news.
She took it well, she did her best to disguise her pain with a few choice comments on the costa rican justice. She attempted to laugh it off, but we both felt despair setting in.
She called me back the next day, to tell me she and her sister had decided to be here at the hearing, on the 24th. I could only cry with relief, with joy at the idea of seeing my daughters again.
Prison love story.
This couple had been married for 37 years. he was 69 years old, she was 65. He strangled her with a knotted rope, and turned himself in. He took 20 years. All he talks about is his relief that he will never ever hear that woman´s voice again. Till death do us part!
This morning i wnet to court, again. I dressed and shaved carefully, put on my clean white shirt. Arrangements had been made in advance for the interpreter, so i really expected somethinbg to happen. I entered the courtroom with hope and aspirations. An intense looking judge came in, sat down, looked thru all the papers and said " all is in order. Schedule the family where he will live to be in the courtroom on march 24th." a Bang with her gravel, a hard look at me and she got up and left. WAS THAT ALL?
Bewildered i retreated back to the old man´s jailtrying to understand the mystery of the Costa Rican legal system. They could have told me that when i was here in january, it would have been so easy to arrange. I lost 2 months for... nothing.
Now the hardest part. call her, tell someone i love that it is not for today.
I Costa Rica i have learned and absorbed the meaning of love. It is so much more than desire, than yearning or longing. And today i have no choice but to call her and give her the bad news.
She took it well, she did her best to disguise her pain with a few choice comments on the costa rican justice. She attempted to laugh it off, but we both felt despair setting in.
She called me back the next day, to tell me she and her sister had decided to be here at the hearing, on the 24th. I could only cry with relief, with joy at the idea of seeing my daughters again.
Prison love story.
This couple had been married for 37 years. he was 69 years old, she was 65. He strangled her with a knotted rope, and turned himself in. He took 20 years. All he talks about is his relief that he will never ever hear that woman´s voice again. Till death do us part!
Bradley´s story.
februari, 2008
Today i watched 2 old men, each with one foot in the grave, attempt a ferocious fist fight. Their antics would be laughable, were it not for the ferocious savage faces. they used senile fists to strike, their arms and knees refused to perform. After a desperate swing one of the old farts clutched his chest, turned red in the face and started to breathe heavily. The other landed a fist to his face, and he collapsed. The guards stepped in to pull them apart.
then we had a delicious bean feast. everyday, beans and more beans, beans on rice and on bread, but this time they tasted like real Boston baked beans.
The food here is delicious, they really try in Costa Rica to feed their prisoners well, lots of fresh vegetables and chicken, and always the fresh black beans. But today they were especially good.
Incarceration causes mental changes, after the shock of the gate locking, you get into a kind of stupor. privacy, quality, individuality and personality all disappear. A conscious decision must be made, either to conform or to strike back at the system, at your own risk. You must resolve this conflict, this enforced repose. and the cerebral doldrum begins. Intellectual indifference sets in and will remain until something breaks the monotonous routine. Like Boston Baked Beans.
Define contentment! Imagine pleasure, tranquillity, inner peace, blend in a clean bill of health and you are very close.
Liberty has many sides which are only appreciated when they are lost.
* I miss an intelligent conversation with someone, anyone
* i despise sharing a bathroom with anyone
* i need to control my destiny
* i would like to come and go as i please
And... i would love some soft fried scrambled eggs with home made fried potatoes, and a large glass of watermelon juice blended with just one garlic clove...
Today i watched 2 old men, each with one foot in the grave, attempt a ferocious fist fight. Their antics would be laughable, were it not for the ferocious savage faces. they used senile fists to strike, their arms and knees refused to perform. After a desperate swing one of the old farts clutched his chest, turned red in the face and started to breathe heavily. The other landed a fist to his face, and he collapsed. The guards stepped in to pull them apart.
then we had a delicious bean feast. everyday, beans and more beans, beans on rice and on bread, but this time they tasted like real Boston baked beans.
The food here is delicious, they really try in Costa Rica to feed their prisoners well, lots of fresh vegetables and chicken, and always the fresh black beans. But today they were especially good.
Incarceration causes mental changes, after the shock of the gate locking, you get into a kind of stupor. privacy, quality, individuality and personality all disappear. A conscious decision must be made, either to conform or to strike back at the system, at your own risk. You must resolve this conflict, this enforced repose. and the cerebral doldrum begins. Intellectual indifference sets in and will remain until something breaks the monotonous routine. Like Boston Baked Beans.
Define contentment! Imagine pleasure, tranquillity, inner peace, blend in a clean bill of health and you are very close.
Liberty has many sides which are only appreciated when they are lost.
* I miss an intelligent conversation with someone, anyone
* i despise sharing a bathroom with anyone
* i need to control my destiny
* i would like to come and go as i please
And... i would love some soft fried scrambled eggs with home made fried potatoes, and a large glass of watermelon juice blended with just one garlic clove...
Bradley´s story
january 29, 2008
Went to court this morning. they told me last night of the long awaited appearance day. I showered, shaved, laid out my courtroom wardrobe, then got to bed knowing sleep would never come. I rehearsed my speech, contritely denoucing my stupidity in believing i could get around an effective system, that was specially made for imbeciles like me. I have lost everything. How could i have been so blind? and suddenly it was morning, i faced the day with hope, and a bit of arrogance.
After breakfast i entered the police van WITHOUT HANDCUFFS! this was a good sign. we picked up other prisomers along the way, one was wearing hand and leg restraints. His unfocused eyes told a story of drugs, and a serious conflict with reality. It has been a long time since i smoked a joint, but i wondered... did i ever look like that?
The courtroom was like a sleepy large legal office, which came to life when i entered. My attorney opened the proceedings explaining the need for an interpreter. The female judge picked up a phone and spoke to someone. and the judge said there was no interpreter available, the assembly is adjourned, see you next time. SHIT, i came this close...
During the return trip to Adulto Mayor i tried to stay hopeful and keep my positive attitude. when is the next court date? and when i got back inside i saw this was the day chosen to spray for roaches. Everything i owned was under a cloud of fog. It is still a beautiful day, whatever happens.
Went to court this morning. they told me last night of the long awaited appearance day. I showered, shaved, laid out my courtroom wardrobe, then got to bed knowing sleep would never come. I rehearsed my speech, contritely denoucing my stupidity in believing i could get around an effective system, that was specially made for imbeciles like me. I have lost everything. How could i have been so blind? and suddenly it was morning, i faced the day with hope, and a bit of arrogance.
After breakfast i entered the police van WITHOUT HANDCUFFS! this was a good sign. we picked up other prisomers along the way, one was wearing hand and leg restraints. His unfocused eyes told a story of drugs, and a serious conflict with reality. It has been a long time since i smoked a joint, but i wondered... did i ever look like that?
The courtroom was like a sleepy large legal office, which came to life when i entered. My attorney opened the proceedings explaining the need for an interpreter. The female judge picked up a phone and spoke to someone. and the judge said there was no interpreter available, the assembly is adjourned, see you next time. SHIT, i came this close...
During the return trip to Adulto Mayor i tried to stay hopeful and keep my positive attitude. when is the next court date? and when i got back inside i saw this was the day chosen to spray for roaches. Everything i owned was under a cloud of fog. It is still a beautiful day, whatever happens.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Holly's story
Guess o guess...
He is having a new parole hearing on the 24th of march. the judge wishes to speak to the people who are offering him a job and a place to stay. So... here goes, Linda and i are once again packing our suitcases, to go visit him and make a big show of filial affection and love... I want to show the judge we want him back now, and i hope he/she listens. Costa Rica, we are coming back!
He is having a new parole hearing on the 24th of march. the judge wishes to speak to the people who are offering him a job and a place to stay. So... here goes, Linda and i are once again packing our suitcases, to go visit him and make a big show of filial affection and love... I want to show the judge we want him back now, and i hope he/she listens. Costa Rica, we are coming back!
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