Creating Camaraderie

Taking a road trip through southern Montana and northern Wyoming, we marveled at our exquisite surroundings as we sat at the campfire beside our camping cabins in Cook City, Montana. A glass of wine, a warm fire (it was 52 degrees), and gazing up at the rock formations directly above us, filled with snowpack, made us pause in gratitude for the glorious beauty around us.

A couple strolled over to sit on one of the rough cut pine benches by the pit. And they were talkers. So we talked. And talked. Where we grew up, where we lived, why we were here now. Laughing with the familiarity of years of friendship. And when a storm broke out and the rain pelted down, we ran off to our cabins, laughing. We parted as old friends.

This drive trip has opened up several moments of friendly community camaraderie.

We wandered out of our Red Lodge, Montana home for the night to find two bikers, a husband and wife, outside on the parking lot. The husband was polishing his bike for their journey the next day and his wife was in a lawn chair drinking wine. And they began to chat with us. Where we were from and why we were in Montana. They gave us tips on where to eat and a drive they liked. Again, we parted as old friends.

Why did we find a sense of community in Montana? Do all travelers bond over the open road? The desire to explore?

We are extroverts and passionate travelers. So talking, regaling others in our exploits, is just second nature.

Talking to unknown people has even unearthed life long friends.

Hearing about a Passover Seder on a South America cruise, Rick and I decided to attend and learn about this important religious experience. As we walked in, a smiling couple waved us to two seats at their table, and over the course of the Seder, they explained each element of the dinner. We hit it off and decided to meet for afternoon tea the next day.

For the remainder of the cruise, we departed the ship and together biked through Lima, Peru, nabbed a taxi driver for a day tour through Trujillo, Peru, and discovered the original Panama hat maker in Montecristi, Ecuador. We learned about each others family and foibles, danced every night on the ship, and departed with a plan to visit each other. Flying into Los Angeles to visit our two daughters two months later, we drove up to Valencia for a dinner with Ken and Rosealie. And we laughed and chatted again. Each time we flew into LA, we had a standing visit with our cruise friends. And we even planned more cruises with them. We attended their son’s wedding and when our oldest daughter married in the Dordogne Valley of France, they were there to celebrate the weekend festivities with us.

Talking to unknown people. Creating a camaraderie with others. Forming connections. Building bonds.

We appreciate all of our friendships, and realize how lucky we are to develop and nourish these couple friendships who push us to become better versions of ourselves. Life without others would be sad. And we are not sad people. We are happy extroverts and we will never stop exploring and chatting to others.

Créez de merveilleux liens avec de nouveaux amis.