"The Heir." Part 3. Karli's Story. PANAMA.

17. ENGLISH. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS 17. "The Heir." Part 4. Willrich and Karli. PANAMA. Why did Willrich (73) decide to give 4 billion dollars worth of "things" (as Karli calls his possessions), to a complete stranger? He was born a billionaire. His grandfather made glue for shoes. Then better glue. He built a fortune. His son and 2 grandsons increased the wealth by making great money-making plans. This is a family business. But -- Willrich never married, has no children and decides that Karli Richter will inherit Kleber Industries. We are in Panama City for this episode, where we find out more about the "things" Willrich will give to Karli. We also find out more about The Storyteller. As Willrich gets to know her, he becomes afraid that his empire will change her. He wants to give his money away to be free. But, he needs Karli to tell stories, so that he can fall asleep. Will money change her? Should the money rather go to his older brother in Berlin?

"The Heir." Part 3. Karli's Story. PANAMA. Willrich Otto Schneider picked an heir to his fortune. She is Karli Richter, a woman who tells stories as Podcasts. The German Billionaire is in Panama City. Karli is also here. Willrich organized a Podcasting Conference to lure her to Panama. Eustacio is Willrich's personal banker in Panama, and he is very worried/upset about Willrich's decision to give 4 billion dollars to "The Storyteller". In this episode Eustacio tries to change Willrich's mind. In this episode, we also hear Karli's story. Who is she, and why did Willrich pick her -- only her stories? Maybe not a good enough reason for being chosen as an heir to billions? Is Willrich dying?

"The Heir." Part 2. Willrich's Story. PANAMA. This is the 2nd part of the story "The Heir." In this part we hear the life-story of a 73-year-old billionaire. He is called Willrich Otto Schneider of Kleber Industries. We are in Panama City. Willrich had decided to give his entire fortune away -- to The Storyteller. Her name is Karli Richter, and she makes Podcasts. The rich man cannot sleep at night, but when he listens to Karli's stories, he falls asleep. So -- he had decided that she would be his heir. But stories are never that simple, are they? This story has a beginning, a middle and an end. And every good story ends with a little twist. 

14. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS. "The Heir." Part 1- Meeting The Storyteller. PANAMA. 73-year-old German Billionaire -- Willrich Otto Schneider -- is in Panama City at a Podcasting Conference. This rich man decides to give his entire fortune to "The Storyteller". He has never met her. He listens to her stories every night, and falls asleep. After 53 years of suffering from insomnia, Willrich decides to retire and to give this woman his entire fortune. This is PART 1 of our humorous story, where we meet Willrich, the Storyteller and we embark on this journey of two extraordinary people. (And of course the billions of dollars.)
"The Heir", Part 2 -- Willrich's Story, is the next episode.

I travelled on my own to a small village in the mountains of Mexico: San Sebastian del Oeste. I wanted to stay. I had to leave. Therefore—the story of somebody who also wanted to stay, and could. "Katerina liked the name of the town, so she stayed. The road to town had washed away during the rainy season of August and September. She wrote pages and pages of piano music..."

6. ENGLISH. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS. 6. "Hadim's Secret Tulips." Constantinople. 1518 (Ottoman Empire time). Hadim is a merchant. He travels the 6000km Silk Road to bring back fine silks, new spices and exotic perfumes. He is in love with Safiya the Beautiful and promises her to bring back something special. Something never seen in the city. The Emperor of the time is Selim the Grim.

8. ENGLISH. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS. 8. "The Magician of Sarajevo.". Bosnia.They met in a thunderstorm in Sarajevo, Bosnia and fell in love. This was a love such as no other, for she was in his city on a soul-searching pilgrimage: to ask the Latin Bridge some questions about war. By the river Miljacka, she sat down and wept. Lightning struck: a thunderstorm attacked Sarajevo. She ran. To him, for safety and shelter. "You're here," he said when she fell into his magical space. "I've waited so long for you to come." He winked. She ran to the man. "I'm a deserter," she said. "I fled from my country. South Africa." In this tiny place, in the summer of 2010, they find truths and tell secrets.

12. ENGLISH. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS. 12. "Maximilian Smiles." Britain. Maximilian the Second always smiled and that was a problem.

ENGLISH. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS 2. Fun/serious story with a tiny important twist. Do not let the beginning frighten you. I wrote the outline to this story in Guatemala -- because I am a photographer. I took pictures of beautiful churches in small towns in Guatemala. And of the people. I try to tread lightly on the souls of humans. But do I? There was a Teresa begging in front of a yellow church. This is a true story? (Or not?)

13. ENGLISH. BEDTIME STORIES FOR ADULTS. 13. "Kidnapped in Colombia." Cartagena. 2020. Carlos kidnapped me in Cartagena in broad daylight. I blame the Marxist guerilla group -- the ELN for this. I was not supposed to be in town on that Saturday, February 15, 2020. But this was the news report that kept me in Cartagena: "The National Liberation Army (ELN) is planning to hold a nationwide armed strike from Friday, February 14, through Monday, February 17. According to an ELN statement, the group plans to restrict the movement of vehicles and people during the 72-hour strike. Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo announced on Monday, February 10, that the military has been placed on maximum alert.
I spent Saturday in town, on my own. I took photos, stayed too long, got lost and then...Carlos!