For the birthday celebrations, Laura snuck off to the camper van, blew up balloons and hung a few of “Happy Birthday’ buntings in the limited space that we had. We also laid out the couple of tiny presents and cake we had been able to source (and hide) along the way since we arrived in Chile. From a grandeur perspective, to say these paled into insignificance to previous years would be a huge understatement. Both parents were suitably concerned that the day could turn out not as hoped.
Whether it was a newfound maturity had been gained since our South American adventure had started, or an acceptance or realization that sometimes less can be more, the birthday celebrations in the campervan that morning equaled or even surpassed any of the previous years back home. We laughed, sang, hugged and indulged, enjoying the uniqueness of the setting and situation.
Later on that afternoon, as we finished up lunch in the dining area before the boat docked in Puerto Natales, our multicultural biker friends joined us for a chat. Upon hearing that we had a big birthday that day, they insisted on joining in the celebrations and before long had the whole room joining in a chorus of “Cumpleanos Feliz”! The wonderful crew also played their part and duly showered the kids with whatever sweet things they could find in the kitchen. The lunch did also afford us the chance to spend a little more time with our new Aussie/Chilean friends. One of them (Brendan) suggested that we should all meet up in Puerto Natales that evening for a meal to celebrate the birthday. Said and offered with such genuineness, we immediately jumped at the opportunity.
That evening, the eight of us met in the Plaza Major and strolled to find somewhere suitable to dine. After our kids mentioned that they liked pizza, our desired destination was set and we made a beeline for a well-regarded locale with wood-stove capabilities.
The dinner was wonderful. The food itself fine, nothing particularly special, but the company was top notch. We learned all about the trip across Chile and Argentina that our friends were on. We heard all about their kids back home, who they had left solos for the first time for such an extended period. We discovered their biking histories, including Bret’s injuries from bike racing as a young adult. We were also listened to, both young and old, with kindness, empathy and a real sense of care. We were with good people, celebrating a special occasion the way such moments should be spent.
After dinner, we said our goodbyes. Unsure when (if ever) our paths would cross again, we agreed that fond memories like the ones we had shared over these few days, were what makes travel so worthwhile.
As we made the short walk back to our own abode, still jam packed with balloons, cards and banners, we realized that its not the big presents nor the elaborate parties that make occasions such as birthdays special. It is the people, and really nothing more.
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