Travelling Companions

Over the years I have tried to represent - as fairly as I can - some of the quirks of the travelling companions of different nationalities which have struck us as odd or amusing, whether it is North Americans who have a compulsion to tip everything that moves - including leaving cash in the minibar for the guy who refills it every day - or the mainland Chinese who travel in hordes and appear to have absolutely no regard for other people.

However while we have been at Agua Dulce, one group - who arrived on the same day as us - has stood out. It consists of 4 Russian guys - one of whom is built like Arnie's son, speaks fluent Spanish and appears to act as a tour rep for the others - and a young Russian babe who was not unpleasant to behold as she lay by the pool in something which approximated for a bikini.

They very much kept to themselves and were busy each day with activities - whether visiting the National Park or fishing for Marlin and the other Game fish which abound in these waters. Equally, they kept to themselves in the bar and restaurant - drinking copious amounts and continuing to smoke even when told that it was not allowed while ignoring everyone else around them - no response to the cheery 'Buenas Dias' that I and others offered each time we met.

Remembering the experience of my ex-client Bruce - after whom we have named a number of our pigs - who was engaged to a similar Russian babe until his money ran out, it seemed to me that the blonde babe was neither partner nor daughter to any of them.

Then I noticed - as I passed her chalet on the way to the beach in the morning - that she appeared to have a different room mate every night.

I guess it takes all sorts and at least they weren't bothering us as long as we were upwind of their table in the restaurant.