Translation of editorial

The casa cost me around twenty dollars and the woman wanted extra five dollars for food and cooking. Money was an issue in this country because no one had any. It is a very poor nation with great people.
Sounds great. Sorry, it took me a while to get back to you. Did you book the Helmhaus (which Monica suggested) or the Seidenhof (which I gave her in the end)? Will make sure, they give you good rooms...
Although the travel guide book mentioned a three star hotel we did not even had to enter the lobby in order to see that we would not sleep there. So we picked another recommendation and drove on.