About the Brothers: Wyatt F

Wyatt's action face mid-toprope.

My name is Wyatt Fluckiger, and I am currently being held captive in a luxurious room while being forced to write this. I require either rescue or whiskey.

I grew up in the woods just outside of a small town called Philomath, Oregon. Having lived in the middle of nowhere I spent my time exploring the woods, hunting, fishing, and generally being outside. To the dismay of the parental folk I took a hard love to the opposite of outdoors working on computer construction and robotics later in life keeping me away from that super important thing all parents consider essential to life "outside."

Having these hobbies that tended to involve having fewer conversations I tended to have an overactive imagination. This led to greatest personal discovery (or the virgin's nightmare) Dungeons and Dragons. I started in second edition which gave me a love of traps and exploration, and later moved on to play 3.5 which is more combat and story. It also led me into meeting this amazing guy you've probably already read about, Nick.

Having a close friend is important, especially when it comes to traveling. What's the point in exploring the world if you have no one to share it with? Currently one of my hostage takers is requesting for me to write faster for the need to upload photos of our adventures are more important. Take a minute and enjoy the crazy antics and faces we make, and please send rescue whiskey.

About the Brothers: Nick G

I remember the first poem I ever wrote. I was in the first grade, and it was about what my week looked like: On Sunday I have swimming. On Monday, I have school. On Tuesday I got new shades. On Wednesday I look cool. On Thursday I had a spelling test -- I got them all but one. On Friday I can stay up late. On Saturday, I have fun. It's not much, but in its echo I've learned a lot about myself. Very pattern and schedule oriented, addicted to lyrical stylings, a bit of a poet, and I always want to end with a fun punchline.

Since then I've continued to write, even getting a few things published. And when I was thirteen I fell in love with all things Japanese, probably due to the kikkake that is the sublime world of Japanese cuisine. I've also gotten some translations of old Japanese poetry published, which I'm very happy about. Now I'm working to get one of my short stories published.

Nick and Ayumi.

I recently heard a phrase that stuck with me: "You're no longer a kid once you know what you want." And a little under two years ago, I met the love of my life. Maybe I didn't know it consciously, but I felt something inside me that did. That feeling kept growing and growing, steadily and swiftly, and that thing smacked me in the face. "Hello! You know what you want. This is it. So go get it. " Instantly, I realized what I wanted in life, and since then I have never stopped working to get there. Ayumi, you inspire me every day.

So when my close friend Aryan invited me to go on this trip, I knew I had to make it happen. I had a fantastic experience with a couple other best friends of mine, a few years ago, as we couch surfed around America. In some ways I feel like this is the next part of the same journey. Because all of us are seeking the same thing: growth in ourselves, and peace. I learn by doing, but I derive equal joy from being the observer. The photographer. The writer.

So that's what I decided to do now.

It's cost me an arm and a leg, but some things are more important than peripheral limbs anyways. This is it.

I'll be the primary photographer for this trip, and probably the lead writer as well. During our travels I hope to get some good writing in, and make progress on my recent project. I also hope to make some unforgettable memories with some of my best friends. Because of that I'll be sure to publish any pieces that come directly from this trip here, probably with a photo to inform it. That said, I hope you enjoy our exploits, as we couch surf around Northern Europe. Peace and love.

About The Brothers: Aryan

Ryan, Mike, fellow brother Wyatt, and Aryan.

Hello reader, I am Aryan. I was born under the gray rain clouds in New Westminister, British Columbia, Canada, where the annual rain fall is one of the highest in the world. It's no surprise that I have a thing for rain, and find it rather beautiful.

At a pretty young age, I later moved to the U.S. where I lived on and off between the Pacific Northwest and Florida. I ended up in Oregon, where I graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Oregon. After a year off from school working in the medical field, I was accepted to medical school at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.

So we are now back to current date, where I am taking a summer before my 2nd year of medical school. It's a long process, but I try and stay happy. So how do I define myself now? I've been called a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none, since I love learning new things but also lose interest quickly if I don't find myself mentally stimulated. That's why I have so many strange hobbies that have included making chain-maille to kayaking to collecting old books.

Medical school has done some good in narrowing down my hobbies into a set of things I am very passionate about: music, writing, and reading. These also happen to be 3 things that in which I would consider myself very talented. Ultimately, I define myself by what keeps me happy: my friendships, my family, and my passions.

Aside from my curriculum, I am the Creative Arts Editor for the Medical Student Press research journal, the Creative Director & Literary Arts Chair for UCF Arts in Medicine, Vice President of the UCF Psychiatry Interest Group, and Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of The Script Literary Magazine. I also am also a researcher in the Brain Radiation Research Team under the direction of Dr. Ramakrishna. My research focuses on establishing a seminal publication on radiosurgical treatment of brain metastases from various primary sites.

That probably doesn't sum me up very well. I don't believe to be just a product of my accomplishments, whatever those may be. For what it's worth, I live by the idea of living a happy fulfilling life, and making sure I have an opportunity to share that happiness with others.

Be bold, be loud, and most importantly, be YOURSELF.