Mavis Biesanz – A piece of gold found in paradise

Golden people. This is what I call people who grace my life, ring my ears with laughter, look me in the eye, and offer respect and love. This was Mavis Biesanz.

Mavis Biesanz was an ground-breaking author. She wrote many books, including: “The Costa Ricans,” published in 1988, and “The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica,” and “Un año con Carmen. A Year with Carmen”, her last work.

Mavis was golden because she was a writer and on top of publishing books including the lauded The Ticos, she was a mother. She was a voice of reason and keen insight. I was lucky enough to spend a few afternoons with Mavis. I interviewed her on occasion and in between sips of coffee, she imparted wisdom to me, sometimes without even knowing it.

I traveled to Costa Rica to write, to learn a new culture, and to never, ever wear moon boots or shovel snow again. But traveling to a new place so very far from home can, at times, be a little lonely. Then, I met this woman. Her name was Mavis, and she’s this famous writer.

We get to talking a bit and find out we’re from the same state: Minnesota. We talk a little more, and we find out we went to the same college! I didn’t speak Finnish, but could talk “Minnesotan”, which is a language all it’s own. I felt a connected to a little piece of home, of myself, when I met Mavis. Golden.

A few years ago, I interviewed Mavis. We shared coffee, talked about writing and Minnesota and politics and mothering, and we talked about the country we so loved, Costa Rica. When I showed her the interview, she got out her pen and correct my many mistakes. The story she told me is a piece of Costa Rica that was as interesting and important as the books she wrote. Golden.

Mavis broke ground. To write anything, even a phone number, is no small task while being a mother. Mavis traveled to Costs Rica in 1942! There was no Pan American highway. I know she continued on balancing motherhood and a career, which is about as easy as juggling plates on your nose. Golden.

If I can honor her life, I hope I can in some small way carry the torch and continue to impart stories and insights to this country we both came to love. You betcha Mavis! You are Golden.

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Written by Susan Lutz (formerly Carmichael), who is a freelance writer living in Costa Rica. She has developed several education curriculums for children and adults. She has also taught journalism. Susan’s website is Mother Jungle, she has produced and hosted radio programs and documentaries in Costa Rica including a short story program called “In the Moment” and an hour long interview program focused on the issues of women called “A Womans Voice”.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.