AmyHuang
Strangers to the rescue
This post is inspired by the book ‘Kindness of Strangers’ by Don George with a special preface by Dalai Lama. The book is a collection of stories from a far about strangers who had shared their hospitality and kindness towards troubled travellers. As we travel to foreign lands, we are either at the hands of fellow travellers or local hospitality. Anything can go horribly wrong, but their kindness can at least assist us to reach safe grounds.
I want to dedicate this post to all that have assisted me on my travels, whether it be letting me crash on your couches, or simply offering me a lift to the hostels. I sincerely thank you.
***
My first impression of Leipzig, a former East German city, was that it has the most expensive train station toilets in Germany at €1.10 a visit. An odd thing to remember but that just shows how little things really make an imprint when they matter; especially to a budget conscious student backpacker.
Clutching my city map tightly as I exit the station, I was instantly disoriented. The confusing yet oddly efficient tram lines zigzag across the main road and I stood, turning my map around and around trying to find the right direction. After having spent a fortune at the toilets, I wasn’t going to spend another cent on a taxi, and needed desperately to find my way to the youth hostel.
Building up the courage, I approached a middle aged man with glasses and asked for directions.
“I don’t know this street” he said, brief case tightly tucked under his arm as he studied my map and the address for the hostel “I don’t think it’s on this map. I do know the area though, its two areas from where I live only about 20 mins drive on a taxi.” handing the map back to me, thinking his job done.
“I was hoping not to use the taxi but the public transport.”
“Well, I can drive you there, if you come home with me first so I can pick up the car.”
At the time, nothing of the backpack murderers or possibility that I might be taken advantage of crossed my mind. It was late in the afternoon and wet and I’ve just had a ten hour journey on slow regional trains all the way from the other end of Germany – I did mention I was on a backpacker budget – and I wanted a bed.
With €2 I bought a tram ticket and went on a tram on the way to my new found friend’s home. Arriving ten minutes later, he went up stairs to drop off his brief case and to brief his girlfriend on the situation and they decided to drive me around just in case I get lost again. My offer to pay for petrol was waved on by smiles.
The lesson? Always plan ahead and find where you need to go before you get there and always be kind to those strangers in need - you never know when you will need their help.
I'll talk about Leipzig properly tomorrow.
I want to dedicate this post to all that have assisted me on my travels, whether it be letting me crash on your couches, or simply offering me a lift to the hostels. I sincerely thank you.
***
My first impression of Leipzig, a former East German city, was that it has the most expensive train station toilets in Germany at €1.10 a visit. An odd thing to remember but that just shows how little things really make an imprint when they matter; especially to a budget conscious student backpacker.
Clutching my city map tightly as I exit the station, I was instantly disoriented. The confusing yet oddly efficient tram lines zigzag across the main road and I stood, turning my map around and around trying to find the right direction. After having spent a fortune at the toilets, I wasn’t going to spend another cent on a taxi, and needed desperately to find my way to the youth hostel.
Building up the courage, I approached a middle aged man with glasses and asked for directions.
“I don’t know this street” he said, brief case tightly tucked under his arm as he studied my map and the address for the hostel “I don’t think it’s on this map. I do know the area though, its two areas from where I live only about 20 mins drive on a taxi.” handing the map back to me, thinking his job done.
“I was hoping not to use the taxi but the public transport.”
“Well, I can drive you there, if you come home with me first so I can pick up the car.”
At the time, nothing of the backpack murderers or possibility that I might be taken advantage of crossed my mind. It was late in the afternoon and wet and I’ve just had a ten hour journey on slow regional trains all the way from the other end of Germany – I did mention I was on a backpacker budget – and I wanted a bed.
With €2 I bought a tram ticket and went on a tram on the way to my new found friend’s home. Arriving ten minutes later, he went up stairs to drop off his brief case and to brief his girlfriend on the situation and they decided to drive me around just in case I get lost again. My offer to pay for petrol was waved on by smiles.
The lesson? Always plan ahead and find where you need to go before you get there and always be kind to those strangers in need - you never know when you will need their help.
I'll talk about Leipzig properly tomorrow.
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
I now always try to help, because I know what goes around, comes around!