Two weeks ago we did not know Erika and Ben, along with their two girls Lottie and Zell. Today we say goodbye to our new best friends that we will undoubtedly know until we are old and our kids are grown. 
From day one, meeting at our language school we have shared meals, gone on field trips, played Uno and basically spent all our time together. Even though this is not a family traveling long term, only spending two weeks in Oaxaca to improve their Spanish, their energy and attitude match the most positive traveling families we met on route. Worldly, they lived a year in New Zealand and before kids travelled extensively in south america, living in Chiapas for 6 months. Ben is a doctor and Erika is a nurse practitioner in a women’s health clinic. They work and live in Santa Fe, and all of Erika’s patients speak Spanish.
They have two children, Hazel (7) and Charlotte (10). Lottie is mature beyond her years and her speech pops with world statistics. She circles topics like global warming and human rights handily. However, despite her precociousness, she can be goofy and fun-loving. Jackson describes Zell as a “ball of goodness” and is energetic, enthusiastic and sincere. Both girls are whip-smart. Our children matched well and played endless games of chess, Uno and staged competitions of Poker Chip cakes. Modeled after the show, the Great British Bake Off, they judged the towers of chips for presentation, shape and color. It was like a two-week sleepover.
We spent almost two weeks hanging out. Needing to move out of their apartment early they ended up finding an apartment in our complex and the kids were able to run back and forth, both of our doors open. Before moving in Erika was worried about being in our “hula hoop.” Even though I had not heard the term before, I knew what she meant. Traveling for a year, we have lost the hesitancy that accompanies good manners. Life is too short to play it cool. We are all in, and if you are out, that’s okay. Finding kindred spirits on this journey is magic. It was an absolute joy to share our time in Mexico with this incredible family. We miss them!
Bochner Family Adventure 
I love the ease openness with which you all adopt and adapt and therefore will always have and meet kindred spirits on the road or wherever. It is wonderful to hear about your serendipitous friendships. Saying Faith had this superpower of course would be a huge understatement. It brings cheer to recognize this dominant characteristic from her taught and inherited on through all or us. Or whatever. You are wise. I love you!
LikeLike
You are sweet. Thank you for your words. Two goals of this year, show the kids that 99.9% of people are good, and that you can make friends and a home wherever you go. Accomplished. 6 weeks left.
LikeLike