Hi Drew,
Haven't heard from you in a while but best to you this season.
I had a fine and typical ex-pat Christmas in Granada, while travelling south to Morrocco. A couple of wonderful Vikings from Iceland had picked me up on the road after un unfortunate encounter with a Spanish driver who thought I was too handsome for words, and tried to use his hands some.
Addi and Gusti and I later spent a liquorless New Year's Eve in Tangiers I believe but the week before, we and another Canadian, and an American and perhaps one more gathered for an impromptu potluck meal and copious amounts of refreshment. (Icelanders pay a lot for liquor and Spain was soooo cheap . . .) All I remember of the meal was the fruit salad I made in a plastic bag. And no it wasn't the result of overindulgence.
One of the most memorable meals I had though was in about 1974 or 75 when about 20 of us put together a giant dinner, with two PX turkeys, 3 or 4 salads, heaps of vegetables and the usual recreational substances at the Sheridan Annex in GAP.
I oversaw most of the cooking but was assisted by most of the people in one way or another. English Julie, Scottish girlfriend of Aussie Jim, Canadian Doug, American Early (perhaps) and numerous others took part. Somewhere I have pics. It was the way we all found our homes in each other for that period of our lives (72 -75 for me) that still warms my heart, and I'm certain all AFRC alumni, civilian or military.
Some friends from that time remain friends still; Addi the Icelander among them, along with Aussie Helen, Kiwi Kathie, French Martine, Canadian singer Pete, and even yourself, Drew.
I was in Jasper, West of my home in Alberta, for Christmas with my lady, and all the while I was there I kept thinking of the ski slopes of the Hausberg and Zuzspitz, the streaking run during Fasching, and the,snow in Garmisch on the Bavarian houses, on the Werdenfels ruins, on the Pflegersee Gasthof,and the forty foot icicles hanging down the side of the Partnachklamm. (Jasper's Maligne Canyon is similar in some ways.)
I was never much of a downhill skier (working six days a week made it hard to do) and I only ski cross country these days (also poorly and not for long) but somehow the smell of the snow and the mountains brings back the good days that weren't dependent on being a hard-core powder hound but made the prospect of hanging out with those who'd just come down from the slope, a joyous one.
Even a tanglefoot can enjoy a Loewenbrau and a Sauer Fritz.in good company.
Much happiness to you and all our AFRC pals.
Chris