My family away from my family on Christmas

After a week in Bariloche I have been sewn into a close knit family of travelers. It is an animated, vivacious group. Each has a unique story. Micah, pronounced the same as the biblical prophet, is from Atlanta. At 26, he owns a company that specializes in BMW upgrades. With dark features, he is of a medium build. Micah possesses an insightful honesty, and will often rescue an intesifying conversation with a lighthearted comment. During a long hike to the summit of Bariloche´s Cerro Otto, Micah and I were engrossed in a brillant conversation about life. On our descent, strong connections developed between our thoughts. It was fulfilling to have some confirmation on my chosen way of life.

Trish is 41 years old. She left a successful career to travel. Trish´s blinding white smile and petite, athletic build makes her seem more youthful than the rest of us. She is contagiously energetic. Since the Cerro Otto hike, she has ridden a mountain bike curcuit around Largo Nahuel Haupi, ventured to Largo Guiterrez with me, and today, she is kayaking.

Rebekka and Kate are two Aussies. Both are gorgeous, and have a playful way about them. They never fail to approach each interation with an air of excitement. Out with the Aussie chaps I had fished with earlier in the week, Kate and I spent a long night dancing in a reggae club called La Cantina. With platinum blond hair, I could easily find Kate in the undulating sea of grinding Argentines.

Yoko is an Australian medical student. Originally of Japanese descent, she is highly intelligent, but modest and comfortably quiet. Yesterday we bumped into eachother during a hike through a near by national park. I was hiking with an Aussie journalist who had recently left his job with the United Nations. In the end, we three met up with an Israeli student and a Greek movie producer for a delectable steak dinner. After the meal, we all sat in awe as the Israeli spoke about her former military service. She then went on to paint the Israeli-Palistinian conflict with the intimate shades of the reality she had seen. The whole affair was mind blowing.

Barbara is likely the oldest women of the group. Her lifestyle, however, does not inkeep with her age. She recently returned from Chile where she broke three ribs hiking on a volcano. Despite this injury which plagues her every movement, she continues with her travels. Lou is similarly advanced in age. A German teacher on his sabatacle, Lou face is characterized with wrinkles indicative of a long life of smiling. A very merry man, Lou also plays the obo in a German orcheastra .

Tem, Tess, Christine and Jess are four Australian birds. While now living in Melbourne, each was originally born in South Africa or Zimbabwe. They are all uniquely attractive, and speak with an Aussie accent that lingers with a touch of the proper South African accent. Jess, a tall blond with an intoxicating smile, recently won Gold in Bejing for sailing.

Each breakfast and dinner is spent at a long table discussing different travel plans. We all listen attentively as each tells stories of their past adventures. When planning this trip months ago, I intentionally did as little research as possible. I hoped that I would come to a place like this and formulate my plan from the advice of others. Its nice to see that approach work out.

Tonight we will all sit down for a Christmas feast. Each is to bring a traditional dish from their homeland. Afterwards, it is the Argentine custome to get entirely sloshed. Its a tall order, but when in Rome...

Merry Christmas to all! I will silently toast one to you tonight!