The Cast of Characters - Chile Balloon Tour 2011

Alfredo - Our event organizer. It was his job to line up our tour stops, find sponsors & keep them happy, arrange for crew & other support personnel,  make travel, hotel & restaurant arrangements, handle publicity, keep officials happy, keep us happy, etc, etc. WHEW!

Dominic - 
Our Balloonmeister. He made all the pilot and balloon shipping arrangements and handled our flight plans, briefings, and  met with the Chilean version of the FAA. He also handled the PR, giving interviews and entertaining the sponsors. His unmistakable laugh punctuated every conversation.

Jorge - Our videographer. His job was to get the shot and keep the camera rolling. He documented our flights, downtime, recreational activities, and every other conceivable moment. When not filming, he was happy to interpret, suggest activities, arrange for laundry, money exchange, or any other way he could help out. He was a sweetheart (just ask Wendy).

Rodrigo on two phones

Rodrigo - Our Interpreter, Tour Manager, and 'Go To' guy for virtually every need. Do you need a truck, crew, fuel, a fan?... call Rodrigo. Are you ill and need medicine?.. talk to Rodrigo. Need to know where to buy something, call a taxi, get money exchanged, need a good deal on a tour...etc, etc, etc. He was everyone's new best friend and did an unbelievable job.I have no idea how he kept such a great attitude throughout the trip - considering all the demands & requests constantly headed his way, but he always had a smile and kept his cool.

 
Rosanna - Rodgrigo's mom. She helped him in keeping all of the team's needs met for a part of the trip, and was the first person to meet me when I arrived. She has a warm heart and a ready smile, and David was smitten with her.

 Tony - One of 'The Brits.' He was often the life of the party, whipping up fantastic Gin & Tonics and breaking into spontaneous dancing at the least expected moments. He is a great pilot & his advice was appreciated by all.

 Two of our Crew, Pilar and Monica. (I am not getting the names right, sorry). They were invaluable in interpreting our passenger briefings, and were willing to take on any task. They joined us for a flight with a landing at about 20MPH, and took it all in stride pretty well (sore knees and all!).







Sarah & Nick - Part of the British team. Sarah seemed to be a key organizer for the Brits, and even for us, suggesting and arranging side trips. When you wanted to get the group together for something, you started with Sarah. Nick has a quick wit and took our 40-mile day trip over jarring dirt roads to see "eight bloody flamingos" with good humor. Sarah's great humor & teasing kept us all laughing. We immediately felt as ease with Nick & Sarah.  









Bill - Another member of the British group (although he lives in Ireland), Bill was the diplomat, making suggestions when needed and representing all the pilots when things weren't going as smooth as possible. I appreciated his dry wit, even when it took me a minute to catch it.



Justin - Our Northern California Counterpart. His youth, exuberance, humor, and energy was endless. He changed the tour by obtaining three coolers and keeping them loaded with beer and water - it had been a missing piece and we immediately slipped into tailgate mode after flights from that point on.

Ryan - Justin's friend & crew from Northern California, and our designated toastmaster. He is simultaneously passionate and laid back. He had a deep appreciation for the experience and the emerging friendships, and brought the significance of it to our attention so we all could appreciate our experience and the rare moments. Friendly, sensitive and kind, the type of guy you quickly feel at ease around. 





Will - Dominic's friend and crew. Will knows no strangers and was engaged in conversation endlessly with everyone. The taxi driver, waitress, flight attendant, and passersby. He must've taken thousands of pictures of everyone he met and everything we did.






Our Southern California Buddies, Dan & Wendy. I'm not sure we would've made the trip without them. Wendy was an instant hit with everyone, the heart of the group. Her homeopathic remedies for anything that ailed us earned her the nickname of 'The Witch Doctor.' (She also answered to 'Wanda' and 'Linda' by the end of the trip) She is tenderhearted for stray dogs and fed them every chance she got. The Brits gave her a box of dog bones - the best gift she could've asked for. Wendy was best friends with everyone & was in tears at saying goodbye.

Danny, a traditionally picky eater, was up for the adventure and ate things he would never otherwise try. He was a great sport. He is particular about his equipment, but kept his cool as his equipment took quite a beating getting off & on the truck. His sarcastic sense of humor kept us all laughing.

 

 "Daby" & me.

I have left out many folks & will add them as I sort through pictures. Richard, Steve, 'Gadget Man,' Fransisco, Pancho..... I have not forgotten you, I have just run out of steam for the moment.

(Editorial Disclaimer: I met most of these folks barely two weeks ago. I may have them all wrong, but these were my impressions)