Costa Rica 5 more days

Last night was cool. I went to a casino and played black jack at a table for the first time, and lost everything I bet but it was a really cool time. I know I told myself I wasnt going to hang out with Lorenzo anymore due to his crazy nature but I decided to tag along to the Casino (It is good to move in pairs around here and I took the opportunity). Him and I actually had a good time. Right before I went out, I found a scorpion right outside my room on the floor!

Side story, while at the casino we were walking by this YOUNG girl (prostitute) and she was sitting by herself eating some food. You could tell she was really hungry and Lorenzo went up to her and harrased her, asking how much for this kind of thing or that kind of thing. I felt bad for her that she was just taking a break from her work and was trying to sit by herself and have a bite and you could tell she didnt want bothered. He kept at her. Finally I went up to him and said "cmon man leave her alone she just wants to eat". She started to talk in english, pretty good english which is unusual for a prostitute here ( based on my LIMITED experiences hehehe). She had a very depressed look on her face as she spoke. "He doesnt bother me." She said. Lorenzo walks over to the bathroom and I am standing there, silently. I look over at her and said: "You dont want to be in this business do you?" She replied: "No I dont but I have a child that needs to eat and I want to finish my university studies". She looked down at her plate. I could tell that she was being sincere. Immediately, two more prostitutes came over and started talking in spanish, also very young girls. She started to share her plate with the other two, who immediately started digging in and eating like they hadnt eaten in days.

I know Ive been accused of being naive at times...and of being a feeling type romantic, and even being a care taker, but I sensed a sort of pity and sorrow for these girls. These werent like poor people back home, and it just seemed like such a waste of life to me. Now remember, I dont buy girls drinks, and I dont give them money. When they proposition me I kindly say No Gracias and when they ask me for drinks I say "No Dinero". But when I saw these girls 2 feet away from me scavenging a buffet plate in the corner not asking me for anything as I stood right there I felt the urge to want to help. I leaned over and said "you want comida?" They looked at each other with great suspicion, asked the girl that knew english what I said, and one girl said "Que, for us?" I said "Si". The girls started to nod their heads very quickly "Si Si Si" they said.

The buffet was right across from wheir they were standing, and I went over and paid the guy for two plates. 6 whole dollars later they were eating. Maybe my pity was a form of self indulgence, I dont know but I did feel good about doing it. (Alot better than about the 40 dollars I lost 30 minutes prior a the Blackjack table) They came over and thanked me, and the original girl said "Why did you do that?" In a very curious way. I really didnt know what to respond with and I said. "Because I respect women". I dont know if thats the real answer, but its what came out of my mouth at the time. She said thank you, and I went to the bathroom. When I came back out, Lorenzo was back harrasing that girl (Dont ask me why) and I came over and said "Its time to go man, the taxi is picking us up." Because we were expecting our cab at 12. He said, "She wants to go home with you dog", I looked at her, smiled, and said : "No Gracias". I dont know why I shared that, but it really exemplifies the way people live and the dynamics that go on in the culture. Many women are prostitutas here and they are so used and abused at such a young age. Some catch buses here from far away every day to make enough money to go home and feed their whole families. Sad.

Nothing more to report today, gonna try and get wrapped up here so I can get out of here on Friday.

-D