Dear fellow Lions,

I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of sending a short motivational story towards these wonderful days you have ahead.

Last year I had the chance to attend a conference

given by Nando Parrado (a survivor of the Andes 1972 plane crash) in London. The conference was very special and moving.

Fernando "Nando" Seler Parrado Dolgay (born December 9, 1949) is one of the sixteen Uruguayan survivors of the airplane crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 which crashed in the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972 (they were university students flying to Chile on a Rugby tour).

After spending two months trapped in the mountains with the other crash survivors

(and having eaten human flesh to keep themselves alive), he, along with Roberto Canessa, led the adventurous rescue team and climbed through the Andes mountains over a ten day period to finally find help. His efforts, supported in various ways by the entire group, have been recognized through books an

d other media. He was portrayed by Ethan Hawke in the 1993 feature film Alive: Miracle in The Andes.

Nando lost his mother and his sister in the crash.

In 2006 Nando published book, Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home. In addition to his current work in business and television, Parrado is a motivational speaker, using his experience in the Andes to help others cope with psychological trauma. He is married and has two sisters.

Citing Nando in one of the letters he wrote after the crash:

“…Before the crash my mind was filled with my studies in business administration, but as soon as I came back I found that I had to exchange my studies for everyday work. Our family business organization had nearly been destroyed, since my mother had taken care of half the work. When you are young, you feel immortal. There is nothing that can modify or destroy you. Through our painful experience I learned that life is linked to death, that these are the only realities of our existence. You are born and you will die someday… In between, nobody knows. There are some things I have thought deeply about over the years, my thoughts influenced by the Andes experience. I am sure it is the same for the other survivors. These things are: FAMILY, CONFIDENCE and FRIENDSHIP.

Dear Lions, I would like to point out that these three points are totally related to our experience in the Pyrenees; we leave our family for 5 days, we have the confidence that we will survive and have a great time, and most importantly, we will make a lot of friends, having an experience of camaraderie and creating a bond that will keep us connected forever. Referring to the specific point of FRIENDSHIP, Nando comments the following:

“…Finally there is the value of FRIENDSHIP, of our feeling of affection and love. It was deeply moving to see young boys helping their friends in ways they could not have imagined, even risking and giving their lives for each other. Friendship was a major factor in our chances to survive and, after we managed to rescue ourselves, we made our friendship with each other an important part of our lives. Sometimes I ask myself why people need to experience extreme situations to understand the real values of life. These values are so clear and so near us, yet we rush by them looking for the “important” things…”

I have some personal commitments that imply I will be missing the Lions 2011. I will be looking forward to the Lions 2012, hopefully with many of you. I will have you in mind in my prayers. God will be with your “silent Partner” during the toughest moments of the expedition.

All the best!

Matias Dorr Mansilla

A lion of the Pyrenees

The Persian Mind Joke on Loans

An Iranian man walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer.

He tells the loan officer that he is going to Iran on business for two weeks and needs to borrow

$5,000.

The bank officer tells him that the bank will need some form of security for the loan, so the Iranian man hands over the keys and documents of new Ferrari parked on the street in front of the bank. He produces the title and everything checks out.

The loan officer agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. The bank's president and its

officers all enjoy a good laugh at the Iranian for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral against a

$5,000 loan.

An employee of the bank then drives the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parks it there. Two weeks later, the Iranian returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41.

The loan officer says, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multi millionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow "$5,000" ?

The Iranian replies: "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return!!"

Neil Bogle's Contribution.

BRIEFING by Sir Antonio Irastorza

Dear Lions,

I am surprised that time goes by so quickly, only last November we were having the Annual Dinner to celebrate 10 years since the “Lions Expeditions” started, May 2011 is coming close and so it is appropriate to write a few lines. I am very happy to hear news from some of the participants of this year Expedition; in a message I received this morning, one of you told me that he is training very hard every day with running, cycling and swimming; another has told me that he plans to run 3 marathons before going to the Pyrenees. I just want to send a note of advice, it is great to train but do not over do it, or injure yourself we need every Lion. It is on the other hand very important that we all try to play some sport or do some exercise at least twice a week to build up the stamina.

As you all know, the Lions’ Expedition” is much more than doing something difficult or going to a wild spot in the mountains. It is all that but it is more about going away to be a few days with this group of friends were we will share adventure, conversations, camaraderie in an extraordinary environment. Trying to make the others have a good time, at the same time trying to see God in nature, in our work, in our family. Giving thanks to God for the many benefits he showers upon us. Coming back to our daily occupations and family with renewed optimism and keenness.

As you all know, this group of adventurers go as a group; and I promise you and your wives that we will bring you back.

Ave Caesar, muriturus te salutam!

Sir Anthony Irastorza

GET IN FIT, NOW.

Dear Lions,

We are closing in on the next expedition. Alastair has suggested that we need to get into shape through serious training. So here goes:

Train physically and morally.

Physically I suggest that you start by doing some exercise every day. It needs to be exercises that tire. I have started by doing some bends, press-ups and stretching each morning. Matthew would do well to resend the exercise guide that he distributed last year. I shall talk to him. Get out on the bike. Do some uphill work.....

Another idea concerns the matter of diet. I am sure we will find the way to eat a little bit healthier between now and May. In this period at least, less liquor, grease and fluffy buns and much more fruit and veg.

So what can one do on the “moral” front? (you know how the Romans used to say: mens sana in corpore sano). Well, I suggest you take a topic and go for it. Such as being more optimistic and positive? In reality, every problem presents an opportunity. It may not be obvious, initially but if you look carefully through the cracks, there is – more often than not – a chance to do something better. Perhaps, by helping someone else have a more positive take on life. For the Lions never leave a friend behind...
This is a trait that we can put to good use in many ways: for example, smartening up the way we treat our customers / clients so that they come to see that we are interested in their individual needs.

You might think all this comes very late with barely six weeks to go. It’s never too late to improve. Now, on your bike!

Diego Barroso, our Marketing Correspondant, with Fergus's help...

Wild flowers of the Pyrenees

The wild flowers of the Pyrenees are justifiably famous. Known as the flower garden of Europe the alpine flora is spectacular throughout the summer and a must for all wild flower lovers. The abundance and variety of wild flowers is incredible and our walks take us through meadows of gentians, iris, orchids and asphodels.

Phil and our other guides love the alpine flora and will identify and explain the wild flowers you’ll see on our holidays. If you’re a wild flower lover our Lakes & Valleys and Discover Ordesa holidays will be perfect for you.

CLICK in the link below to see all kinds of flowers we my find in our Lions Expedition...

http://www.hikepyrenees.co.uk/flowers-pyrenees-alpine-flora.html