the magical moments in travelling alone

am sitting on the bustop with my bag when this lady passes me. She looks at me, and passes by.

She goes down the street, turns and walks back, and says, that’s a nice dress you have on.

Its from India. I’m from India.

Where do you stay?

In india , am just visiting.

Alone.

yes

Travelling alone.

Yes.

I’m 78 and I live here. And I’m lonely. Take me with you. You are brave to travel alone.

I smile, say, get your bag… I have to take the next bus.

You come stay with me, she says.

This is all in very broken English, some german, lots of hand gestures.

She says, I live alone, and I’m lonely. I have a daughter but shes somewhere else. I adopted a girl in Uganda, shes now a doctor.

Why don’t you get someone to stay with you, I say.

Landlord wont allow.

I was staying with someone in Berlin. But I thought I must have my own place. So I got this but I’m lonely.

So, why not keep this house, stay in Berlin, and come sometimes here, when you want.

I’m a piano teacher. My piano is here. I play in the church.

So, I said, you come here and play whenever you want. You can stay with your friend in berlin, and you also have your place. You wont be lonely.

The bus comes. We get in.

Shes going only two stops… but she pats me, gives me a big big smile and says, yes I will live in berlin, not be lonely, and come here to play.

Promise?

Yes, and with a big smile she gets off…

Its these moments I cherish on my trips… a connection from nowhere somewhere…

the trip continues to flower.