Amigos

After traveling for so many months now, i can look back at the Odyssey so far and see things clearer already. This is not the first trip I have made. I have had the privilege of traveling many times before this one - usually on my own. What has made this Odyssey stupendously great has been the people I have met and not necessarily the place I have been in.

I realised it is about time to introduce to you the people who have dramatically impacted my life in the last few months.

3 months ago I arrived in Buenos Aires on my own... for one hour only. From the moment I entered the city I have been surrounded with incredible people.
After Spanish class one day I headed over to Johns' hostel (one of my classmates) for a beer. Little did i know from that one night on the rooftop terrace at the Hostel Estoril, under the trance of the beer and moon - this place would become my home for the next month and a half. Not only that, but the group of friends that was formed in those initial weeks would set the course for the rest of the trip and experience of South America. How extraordinary to meet such an incredible bunch of people in the one place at the one time. It was so nice to be just me and not have to go through Groundhog day everyday - having to explain who I was everyday to new people. We could just be friends. There was John (Norway), Santi (Argentina), Anne (Norway), Eric (USA), Donna (UK), Debra (USA), Amie (UK), Madoka (Japan), Chris (USA) and Jane (Australia). There were also the guys that worked the hostel. Meeting Santi and Maxi has opened up my world here beyond the tourist eye.

Santiago - my Argentine brother
So this man is a living legend! Over the last 3 months I have had the privilege of sharing grub, beers and banter with this eventual statesman and coolhunter extraordinaire. Santi has opened up his life and experience, and induced me into the world of Bs As - the best of which is Gardelito, La Bomba de Tiempo, Spring and Palermo. Together with his mum, Claudia, they have both welcomed me into their lives and home.
I made this for Santi's birthday. They are but some of the many great moments that have been in the last few months. Many people have come and gone, but it has been quite a ride. I had the great honour of being able to meet up with Amie, Anne and John again in Brazil when I traveled there with Beck.

The 3 Amigos:
The 3 amigos came from 3 different parts of the world. Santi, from Argentina, John... our Norwegian hermano, and me from Australia, Argentina....etc. From Llama faces to beer and fernet... many good times were had.

These are just a few people that I have met. I will always look forward the the Russian Dolls though... the sequel. Time and place yet to be decided.