I really did run away and join a traveling circus!

All in all there are 14 of us, including myself and my BFF. Yea, it’s awesome! And I am not being sarcastic either. It’s truly amazing. I am meeting some of the most interesting, intelligent people I will ever have an opportunity to meet. And they are a riot too!

So let’s see. You already know about Baby Ruthe, JJ, Mr. –italy, and me. So let’s see if I can briefly describe the other 10 folks. You might want to check out a copy of the schedule for this course so you can figure out the initials and titles I’m using. (I am going down the list alphabetically…type A personality at its best.)

Scottsman #1: AD a.k.a. Angela’s BFF (although I am trying my hardest to win him over!!) He is a trip! He and I have gotten along pretty fantastically. He has quite a sweet tooth , loves late 70’s/ early 80’s music, and has worn a pink shirt I think almost everyday! His sense of humor is top notch.

BoSox fan: BF. We all know him and saw him two weeks ago with all the other part-timers who were in town. He is very well-known by many of the Croatians and other instructors even though he is new to our crew. Nicknamed him my Uncle.

Italian princessa: CF. Very talented Doctor/Professor from Milan. Young, chic, speaks a myriad of languages and has traveled with some of these guys before.

Obama: KK. Get this! He is a younger, very handsome replica of our president. For real! Works where Freddy used to work. Funny and down to earth guy who I took the tour of Diocletian’s palace with. I tried to steal his encrypted flash drive, in the end I just let him borrow my puny little boring flash drive so he could present some videos to the participants.

My resident David Otto: RL. I told him before the end of the trip I was going to shove him into the pool, or perhaps even the Adriatic. He keeps messing with my stinkin’ badges and everything else! He works for JJ’s old organization. Super funny, could definitely hang with our crowd, recently back from his honeymoon in Barbados. He also toured the palace and city of Split with me.

AP. This is sad, but I have no idea where he is from. From his title, I’m deducing that he is from the UK--Ireland, perhaps? He sort of looks like a leprechaun with the pointy features and that strawberry blonde hair. In my defense, we have only spoken about the course material and other work-related things AND he lacks an accent (or it’s so slight in comparison to AD, JW, -Italy, PS, DY and all the Croatians’ that I hardly even notice it). He is very polite and personable, and really knows his stuff!

The Admiral: PS. I was incredibly intimidated by him at first, but he is a sweetheart! Very polite, courteous, and thoughtful. Once you crack the tough exterior, he is a very kind-natured man. He often comes up to Schmitaly and me and offers suggestions on things, but we have already done the things he has suggested. I hope to get to know him better before the trip ends!

The Judge: RS. I wish I had a title like his! Could you imagine: Honorable Valerie? Nah, me neither. He is quite the wine aficionado. And he reminds me so much of someone but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I hope speak with him more in depth before the course is over.

Scottsman #2: JW. T-R-O-U-B-L-E! A retired Colonel from the UK (used to be AD's boss' boss) who dabbles in bee-keeping, judging my choice in footwear, a genealogy expert on his last name, and teaching me history, chemistry, biology, and random factoids. I love this man. He is fantastic; if he really could adopt me I would willingly let him. Gives great bear hugs too!

DY. Not only is he a retired General from Israel, but he can also practice the art of Chinese medicine! He knows all about pressure points and how to cure just about any ailment you may have by simply listening to your symptoms and applying the appropriate amount of pressure to the specific location to treat your illness! It’s awesome! He’s fixed the Doctori and RK! No joke!