Brotherhood of the Leaf.

[kockroach]

This trip just showed how amazing the love of cigars can be. To bring together a group of practical strangers, many only having talked to each other over the forum, and come out with such a tight bond, says a lot. I agree with Jason, that the tours were amazing, but sitting around at dinner or on the patio, talking and smoking with everyone was the best.

Pete and Janny took such great care of the group. Pepin and Jaime were amazing guides and provided great information. It was quite an honor to be welcomed into the factory, and to share some amazing cigars with such great company all around. Without a doubt, a trip to remembered for all time.

I can only hope that I get another chance for a trip like this, with a group of quality people like these.

 

[L8A]

Sounds like an amazing triip. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Le Buzz]

thank you for the great post and to starz26 for the pics. definitely makes me want to be a better BOTL. i realize that this place is much more than just discussion about cigars.

sometimes we get carried away and post incendiary comments (myself included) and it's just petty... these are the kinds of posts we need!

being part Nicaraguan, you guys have made me want to do a trip like this as well down to Esteli. :tiphat:

 

[Starz26]

Justin you forgot to mention every time I called you a dumbass for forgeting things the last day. Now that's a true brother.

Or the time I let one of my "ericisims" out and you just looked at me and said "dude, are you retarded".....

The whole trip was a testament to the brotherhood.....The graciousness and generosity of the Garcia family (Pete included) was unbelievable. It was like we were part of the family for 3 days.

Pepin even told, Matt (Cyrann), he loved him after seeing Matt's winning cigar rolling ability....

 

[Cyrann]

Wait I did what...

 

[WhiteLightning]

well said justin. Definitely jealous of your trip with the brothers.

 

[mcroom]

Very well said Justin. I feel fortunate to be a member of this fine family of brothers and sisters. BTW, Justin, the older we get the more mellow we get!

 

[Alwayslit]

POTM.........Nice!!

 

[Hendy]

It's stories like these that bring me back to the true facts of why I love being here. The true brotherhood that we have here is a special gift that we sometimes don't realize.

Thanks to all you fine gentlemen for sharing your stories. It's great to hear of the great times, memories, and love shared between what I call family.

Sure brings my tag line into play.

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away"

Glad everyone had a memorable trip. Thanks Pete and the Pepin Family for sharing your life with some of your true supporters and family members.

 

[ciggy]

I can only hope to have the same experience you did...BOTL has been a wonderfull home, great brothers, and an asset to all my cigar questions!
Glad you had a great time...ya lucky bastid!!! :thumbsup:

 

[Mitch]

Well said, there is a magic here that we sometimes loose site of, the trip was great at bringing it back in focus in so many ways.

 

[Cyrann]

I guess, I'll take a stab at this as well...

I remember running out of sticks I brought to smoke on the trip at the PRE-trip herf, b/c so many smokes were being gifted traded (I brought 25 sticks btw).
I remember saving Pete's ass by grabbing the blender out of the Rum store... Janny would not have been happy!
I remember haveing 15/16 people and a bus for 14... ha!
I remember 98-99% of the ash from our cigars on the Rumbus landed on myself or Jfire not to mention hes ridiculously good balancing skills... NOT!
I remember Jamie mentioning something about OPENING the windows....ha.
I remember wanting a cigar the next morning but due to the PRE-trip herf having nothing left... I was greeted by 5 or 6 open Pelican/Xikar/X-treme cases being told to take whatever I wanted.
I remember romping around the fields with cigars a blazing none stop for an entire day.
I remember Mitch's face when the BOTtLe cigar came in the room.
I remember Dan's reaction to the bundles of NHC sticks Pete/Dan/Jose so graciously gifted all of us.
I remember blinking and a bundle of La Verite being gone.
I remember watching everyones hands shake uncontrollably as they sit at Jose or Jamie's rolling table for a competition... mind you with Jose over one shoulder and PETE on your other, it doesn't help the situation.

I remember making a bunch of new friends that will span years to come.

 

[swat253]

And, we thank you guys for the updates! I'm happy for y'all and jealous at the same time!

 

[GoingPostal]

Wow sounds like you guys had a great time. Esteli is now one of the places i must visit before i die.

 

[tatuaje]

Oh Matt that's so wicked.

 

[SmoknStyx]

Wow, cool post reflecting an awesome trip!

 

[HalloweenHarry31]

Wow! I wish that we all could have come!

 

[Cyrann]

Oh Matt that's so wicked.

:headroll:

 

[SmoknStyx]

I know they are out there, waiting on more pics (unless this is like Vegas...)

 

[r3db4r0n]

With everyone talking so strongly and positively of their experiences on the trip in addition to the camaraderie and generosity that took place, its hard not smile or picture yourself there with the guys while you're reading about them.

It really makes me proud to be a BOTL.