Besides taking me to the various sites that Juneau, Alaska has to offer, Montel has also taken me to meet her friends that she commonly refers to as, “The Crew”. Speaking with Montel on the telephone for the past six months, I have frequently heard about this “Crew” and the fun times she has had with them, so I was eager to meet them and have the opportunity to hang out with Montel’s “Crew” and have fun times of my own.

Since I have been here and have spent time with her “Crew” and had the opportunity to hang out with them, I have come to see for myself that they are indeed fun, quite boisterous – and an all around good time. But what amazes me about Montel’s “Crew” the most, is that they are extremely hospitable, welcoming – and friendly to someone they don’t even know simply because I know someone they do.

When a bunch of Montel’s friends came to her house on Saturday night, they were instantly warm and friendly to me even though they had never met me before. While I expected to be at least welcomed to Juneau by Montel’s friends – I didn’t expect them to welcome me into their “Crew” so quickly.

It was when we went to Ean and Malia’s on Sunday that I realized just how welcoming Montel’s “Crew” was. As soon as I walked into Ean and Malia’s house, they treated me as if I was there all the time. Instantly offering me something to eat and drink, taking me for a tour of their home – and welcoming me back anytime I wanted was simply amazing to me. Here are two people that I never met before and only know me because I came to their town to visit their friend – and they instantly treated me like family. I could tell that they were not just being nice to me because Montel brought me there – they were being genuinely warm and friendly because they wanted to – and it made me feel very at home.

That same night, Montel, her friend Will and I departed from Ean and Malia’s and went to Will’s house. After giving me the grand tour – he showed me a painting of Alaska done on a tree stump – and then told me to keep it. If that was not shockingly hospitable enough – he offered to lend me one of his bicycles for the Fourth of July Bike Run that they do every year. Again, here is someone that only allowed me in his home because of my friendship with one of his friends – and has now become one of mine.

Tim was the same way yesterday when we went there for a barbecue. Offering me some ridiculously delicious smoked salmon – which I nearly finished on him – a perfectly rare steak – and free run of his home which I was in for the very first time, he exhibited the same kindness and hospitality that everyone else has shown me in this town.

I was hoping, as I got closer and closer to Juneau, that Montel’s “Crew” would at least like me and tolerate me during my stay in their hometown – instead – they have accepted me as one of their own – and even asked Montel if they could keep me.

I wish.