So being that it’s Thanksgiving, it’s that time of year for my annual Thank You post! This is where I announce my thanks to all the people who probably don’t get enough of it from me.
Interestingly, most of the people I thanked last year, would still go on this year’s list. But rather than just repeat myself some more, let me just add a few key new names to the ever-growing list. So without further ado (in no particular order)…
Berina Kaur (London)
– Berina is a very cool chick (originally from Singapore) I met in Budapest in summer 2005. We had a great time hanging out there, even though it was just for a few short days. We’ve kept in touch, and we hung out again in London when I was there twice again this summer. Like Stef (one of my other London pals) she gave me posada at her place, saving me tons of quid (London hotel rooms, even crappy ones, are NOT cheap). We hit night spots on several occasions on the West End, ate chinese food at 4AM, and just had an all around great time. On one of my last nights in London before heading back to the states, she took me out with a bunch of her fellow nurses (who were all adorable and fun!) and took me out on the town. One of the best nights I’d ever had in London. I’m really glad I got to hang out with her again, and she definitely went out of her way to keep me company, warm and dry, and properly entertained. So thanks Berina!!!
Robin Bross (Daytona Beach) –
– Robin is the sister of one of my better friends in Daytona, Bobby. Though we’ve known each other in passing for years, we’d only really recently become good friends. When I’m in Daytona, she doesn’t hesitate to whip up a nice dinner and get everybody over to her house for a grand feast. On the day my mom died, she just happened to call me to say hi when I was on my way to the airport in LA to catch my flight back to Florida. She stayed on the phone with me, talked to me, listened to me and comforted me in a way that I will never forget.
Though we don’t talk or see each other as often as I’d like, she’ll always be someone I consider special for just being Robin.
So many thanks Robin!
Paul and Linda Petzold (SV Miramar)
– Paul and Linda were probably the first two people we met when Raf and I came up the Rio Dulce the very first time in Feb. 2005. They took the time to show us around town, and the area in general. Since then, I’ve run into them several times both here and in Honduras. Almost everytime I see them, they always give me comments and compliments about this site, and how they read it all the time. I find that very flattering!
Anyways, they’ve helped me many times without fail, including a few favors in the past few weeks that have made my life a lot easier! So a big thanks for all the good company, conversation, and friendship! They’ll be leaving the cruising world soon, to a house on the beach in Honduras. But I’m sure that I’ll be showing up at their door at some point in the future. Hope they’ll let me in. 
– Nick Santos (my younger brother – Port Orange, FL)
My brother and I have had a pretty antagonistic relationship most of our lives. Sometimes we got along, other times we didn’t. There hasn’t been much we agreed on over the years. Things still aren’t the best they’ve been between us, but they have gotten better.
Over the past couple of years, particularly when my mom became more and more ill, Nick was the one who had to step up and take care of her, and help whenever she needed it, which was often. My mom wasn’t the easiest person in the world to deal with, so there was much need for patience and understanding. Nick stepped up, and along with his better half Jenny, took very good care of mom in her final years, and she was eternally grateful. She may not have always shown it, but she was. And so am I.
So thanks Nick, for all you did for mom.
Tomas Didic (Czech Republic)
– Tom and I met in summer 2005, when I sat at his bar in Prague. We got to talking and I ended up hanging out at his bar almost every night I was there. We’d kept in touch over the year. And when I was in Europe again this last summer, he invited me out to Ostrava to meet him and his family. Even though he was on vacation himself from his new job in Dublin, Ireland, he took lots of time out those few days to show me around and keep me entertained. His family took me in, in the warmest way ever, and it was a great experience.
So thanks Tom, we’ll meet again soon mi amigo!
Angelo Verdiglione – (Salerno, Italy)
Angelo is the husband of my cousin Simona in Italy. When I was there this past summer to deliver my mom’s ashes, Angelo essentially volunteered himself as my valet. Right from the moment he picked me up at the train station.
He went out of his way to make sure I had a ride to wherever I needed to go, kept good company with me, made sure I went with him on at least one “guys night out”. And don’t even ask about the awesome drive we took out to Amalfi on his motorbike! Or the night we drove around town looking for a free hotspot so I can take care of important net stuff. He translates my site for my cousin and aunt whenever he can. He came through when even my own relatives couldn’t for whatever reason, and we’re not even related!
My stay in Italy would not have been the same were it not for Angelo’s unsolicited friendship, generosity, and all-around kindness.
Grazie Angelo!
I may add a few more names to this list, but if not, there’s always next year.
And many thanks to you, the people who actually read this thing and get something out of it! You have no idea what that means to me. Your emails, good wishes, and comments really keep it going!
Cheers!