My Host Family

We had one of the most interesting dinner conversations with Fernando today.  Just out of curiosity, we asked how long Fernando and Carmen have lived in Costa Rica, because they had told us earlier that they were originally from Peru.  Fernando told us that they have lived here for 14 years, so we asked him why he moved.  This is where it gets interesting.  He told us his whole story in Spanish so I am not 100% positive that my interpretation is correct, but I hope it is close enough.  He explained that a revolution started in Peru that pitted the native Peruvians against U.S. intervention and thus any white people in Peru or any Peruvians that had foreign relations.  (Here is a website about the revolution that I found in case you want any more information:  http://www.csrp.org/history.htm).  However, many of the revolutionaries decided to use terrorism as a means of getting what they wanted.  Fernando was an important engineer and business man in Peru, so he must have had relations with U.S. companies, and he wanted no part of the terrorism.  Also, he may have owned part of the cell phone company Nokia, and because of the revolution it went bankrupt in Peru, and somehow he owed someone $150,000 dollars.  The terrorists wanted him to join their cause against foreign intervention in Peru and told him and many other families that if they didn't their wives would be hung and their children would be killed.  One day, his children went to a party, and the terrorists threw dynamite over the wall into the party, severing children's arms and legs and killing a few people.  Luckily, his children were ok, but this is when he decided to leave the country.  He spoke with such fervor about his hate for the terrorists and how no one could live like this.  So, this is why Fernando and Carmen and their family came to Costa Rica, and he has worked to pay off the $150,000 of debt that he owed.  The revolution is over now, and Peru is again a peaceful and beautiful country.  Fernando has thought about returning, but he has already been in Costa Rica for 14 years and it would be hard to leave his businesses here and start all over again.  

Fernando's story really made me appreciate how lucky I am to never have gone through such terror, and to live where I do. Life in Hinsdale is nothing close to real life and it cannot even compare to how other people have lived their lives. I am incredibly blessed and I wish Fernando and Carmen a peaceful and happy life from now on.