It was at a petrol station on the outskirts of Rome that our tour bus stopped to fill up before entering the city. We were all tired from the long hours of travelling in a bus through Europe, I was certainly. Then, as the other exchange students were rushing to get refreshments or to the rest rooms, I noticed you calmly walking away towards the wire fence and went behind the cargo truck. I could not help but feed my curiosity as to why and where you were going and followed you. There you were, harmoniously smoking away your cigarette as the sun threw itself over the western horizon. We had not really met before, except pass a few greeting words during the trip, but here you were my friend, warmly offering your cigarette to me as though I had always been your 'puff pal'; 'no thanks , I don't smoke', I declined the offer and you just smiled in amazement as though you expected me to be a good old experienced smoker. Then the conversation changed from asking each other whether one smokes and drinks or not, to talking about the basics of life; hardships and our experience in Europe. From then on bra I found I realised that I had found a brother, a relaxed Chilean guy who enjoys the company of people and really embraces them with a warm heart and amazing smile.
You found my culture and language very exciting, I suppose. I call you my bra because are just that bra, a brother to me.
Never to forget the crazy times like taking 'sexy' photos from across the street in a little tourist village in the Thuringer Wald, to having ice-cream sitting as a group on the street pavement! Of cause I always remember you when I make a grammatical error in ma Deutsch because you always stopped and corrected me, even as we sweaty on the soccer field!
My dear brada Benji, thank you for being such a fresh and cool person. I will definitely miss you my bra as you turn your face towards your home land, Chile.
Thank you
Article 3....May article on the way!!!!