Sitting on a train in Thuringia we received a resolute “nein” from the train conductor – the kind that meant we had made an expensive mistake. To our dismay we were informed that the “Regio120” train ticket we had purchased was not actually a regional ticket. As we tried to work out a resolution amid frustrations about the vague Deutsche Bahn guidelines that have fooled us twice now, a young woman turned around in her seat to help us communicate more clearly with the conductor who didn’t speak English. Several interruptions, 44 euros, and a big Vielen Dank later we found ourselves with a valid train ticket and an engaging conversation with the woman in front of us.
As the evening sun descended in the sky outside our streaked window, the blond haired and blue eyed German shared her life with us. Sitting up on her knees, she leaned back over the seat to point out which house had been her grandfathers and mentioned her fond memories of walking in the nearby valley with him. She told us how the snow piled high there in the winter and people went sledding down the hills together. With excitement she pointed out the place that she would wandern the next day. I was delighted as she shared each detail, knowing that many Germans wouldn’t share such personal information so freely upon meeting someone. She told us about her studies in Weimar and how she hoped to travel to the USA someday. I answered all of her curious questions about where we were from, why we were in Germany, and what we both did for a living. Her apologies for her English speaking abilities were politely refused, since I understood her easily and enjoyed teaching her a few new words. We joked together as the train kept stopping unexpectedly, saying that perhaps a new conductor was learning how to start and stop the train. Too soon she was saying goodbye and waving to us with a big smile as she left the train.
I realized I didn’t ask her name. We shared this small part of our lives with each other and now it’s a sweet memory. It was an encounter that Mr. Meena and I both greatly needed – a pick me up after a day filled with unexpected rain showers, pushy crowds of tourists, and sites that simply weren’t what we had expected.
I find these temporary connections and friendships inspiring. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with people in a specific moment in time no matter how different we may be or how far apart our homes are. I recall the healthy, joyous Australian man in Würzburg who proclaimed to us that he simply would not make it up the hill to the fortress without oxygen and a paramedic. Or the woman in Frankfurt who offered to sit with all of her things on her lap so I could put my backpack down (and later laughed with me over a fellow passengers’ shrill sneezes). And how could I ever forget the elderly German man who hilariously and affectionately imitated a young pigeon-chasing toddler in the Erfurt train station.
It’s my goal to be more aware of others during my travels and more open to these potential connections. I love to travel to new places and soak up the sights but I’m learning that travel is about people, too. It can be easy to fall asleep on the train or block out the world with a great book. But I’d rather leave some room for others; they might make the whole experience better.
This post is linked up with Weekend Wanderlust, Wanderful Wednesday Weekend Travel Inspiration, Fly Away Friday, and Monday Escapes.
what a nice story:)
Thanks Tanja!
I really like this post! I'm all about seeing the sights and visiting new places, too. But I've also been learning a lot lately that it's the people I meet who make places so memorable. People like the silly Italian waitress in Milan who makes fun of herself because she can't speak English, or the Swedish tourism office worker who spends 20 minutes talking to me about her town and wondering what I think of it.
I’m so glad! It seems like you’ve met a lot of wonderful people on your travels. 🙂
This post reminded me of a connection David and I made not that many months ago on an Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. We were staying at a luxury resort and had kayaked over to the part of the island where there were some private houses. There didn't seem to be anyone around so we pulled the kayak up to a beach to sit and enjoy the view before heading back. An old lady, well into her 80s, appeared as we sat on a rock. She came striding down the beach toward us and I was sure she was about to tick us off for trespassing. Instead, we smiled at her and she smiled at us. It turned out she was the only permanent resident of the island. She had had a fascinating life. She invited us back to her house, at the top of the hill, which she told us had been built with materials brought in by helicopter – there were no roads. We spent a lovely afternoon with her before reluctantly saying goodbye and heading back to our resort.
What a lovely encounter! That sounds like a great afternoon. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh this is such a nice story! I find that although in every day life I'm very introverted and not so keen on making lasting friendships, when I'm travelling I'm more than happy to chat to people. I think it's the shortness of the friendship, the in-the-moment friendship rather than one you have to maintain over time that makes me feel comfortable and willing to chat to strangers.
Strangers are some of the most interesting people I have ever met.
My husband and I were interrailling about 5/6 years ago, and we met a couple on a train to Vienna who chatted with us about their cycle tour for the couple of hours of the journey. We shared some chocolate and it was just nice. It was probably one of the highlights of the trip.
~ K
http://www.lifeasunusuals.com
I’m also rather introverted and I think knowing that an interaction will be temporary alleviates some of the stress associated with friendships. You’re not as worried about if they like you or if you accidentally do or say something embarrassing. I’m glad to hear that you met such nice people on your way to Vienna!
Love this post! One of my favorite parts of traveling is meeting new people, even if you don't manage to get their contact info, or even name. It always reminds me that even though we're all so different, deep down we all also have so many similarities! I traveled by myself for the first time this past month and was absolutely shocked by how many people I met! Whwn you're traveling alone the people you meet can either make or break the experience! Thanks for sharing and linking up for #wanderfulwednesday 😀 xx
Thanks! I can see how it would be easier – and perhaps even more valuable – to make friends while traveling solo.
That's a beautiful story – the fleeting friendships you make while travelling are so precious, and probably that German lady told her friends about you! One thing I love (and sometimes hate…) about Italians is they will always start a conversation, particularly on trains! I've heard many a life story on my way to work…. #wanderfulwednesday
Thank you! I’m sure it can be tedious when you are expected to converse every day on your commute, despite how interesting some of those life stories may be. 🙂
It's lovely to meet these warm types of people when you are travelling. All too often I am cranky when I travel and I keep my head down, like a typical Brit… But I am always flattered when someone is actually genuinely curious about me. So funny that you often learn their life stories but not their name! It's a bit mad really.
I agree!
Beautiful story! I experienced a similiar hospitality in Greenland where the guide of our whale safari invited me to her home and cooked whale goulash for me. She was so sweet and we're still in contact!
I’d say your friendship was more than a fleeting one! That sounds wonderful. 🙂
What a lovely post! 🙂 It was so lovely to read this story and it made me reflect on those friendships while travelling, they are certainly special, no matter how short they last. Thanks for linking up with us! 😀
Thank you!
Thank you!
Unexpected conversations and encounters makes travel more meaningful and memorable. Lovely story, Ava!
My mum and I made an expensive train mistake in France! In our case we had the right tickets but I had neglected to validate them when we moved from the local and regional service. A €35 mistake!
I love fleeting connections like this! A few have blossomed into lifelong friendships, wedding invitations and godmother duties!
Ah, validating tickets – always confusing! Sounds like you’ve made some great friends while traveling.
Very nice post, Ava. As constantly travelling Grey World Nomads we often encounter people we'd like to stay in contact with. Sometimes it works out thanks to social media. We had also a train ride in the Netherlands with a wrong train ticket. Luckily the conductor was more relaxed and explained how we should do it next time. No fine this time. It depends on the daily mood of the conductor how he/she reacts, I guess. As a Swiss in Switzerland I had to pay fines as I didn't have the foreigners luck of not understanding the language. #WanderfulWednesday
The train systems can be confusing, for sure. Glad to hear that you’ve made, and kept, some great friendships.
I am so grateful for all the friendships, brief ones and lasting ones, I've built on the road. One of the great things of traveling solo.
Absolutely. 🙂
I think that one of the best parts of traveling is that you ate compelled often to rely on the kindness of strangers. When it works out it's wonderful in many ways.
Agreed!
What a great story! One of the main reasons we travel is to make these connections with the people we meet along the way (fellow travelers or locals). Would you believe we were in the states this summer and had problems with our train tickets! The conductor was very helpful but it also opened up a conversation with the other people sitting around us. #wkendtravelinspiration
Yes, I believe it! I’m glad the conductor was helpful. 🙂
I agree. Those impromptu conversations like on a train in Morocco or with the flight attendant over the Indian ocean open your world to new possibilities, realities, and cultures.
Great post! I love your writing style and I completely agree on the travelling is also about people part. I myself am trying to be more aware and open to see what is happening around me. Unexpected conversations with strangers can sometimes be the best part of your day. #Weekendtravelinspiration
Thank you!
I couldn't agree more. And it's especially true when travelling in countries where you have little or no language knowledge. Sharing time and stories with locals can really brighten your day.
Yes, and sharing a game of charades when you\’re trying to communicate can be quite fun as well!
Absolutely – meeting folk from all walks of life is definitely one of the great things about travel. Like the time we stumbled across filming for an advert for a micro-brewery in the Welsh valleys and got invited to join in to make up the crowds but then spent the rest of the evening laughing with these people who'd lived there all their lives and their friends. It was like we'd known them years! #flyawayfriday
Oh how fun and special that must have been!
I love the subject you brought up! Travelling is an emotional and overwhelming part of our life, and sometimes we skim through something important in between catching flight…Friendship. Thank you for sharing this article.
#FlyAwayFriday
Thanks! I’m always inspired when people go out of their way to be friendly – like the young woman we met on the train. I hope to be more like her!
Brilliant. This is so true of travelling and one of the factors I love, you come across some really awesome people that make that moment a memory. Living the expat life I get this often, people flitting in and out of your life but however fleeting you "click" and its like you're life long friends. Great post and great aspect to discuss. #flyawayfriday
Thanks!
Aww I love the story! One of the best parts about traveling is meeting new people and getting to know their culture. Lovely post! Thank you so much for joining #FlyAwayFriday, see you in 2 weeks!
Thanks, Kana!
Love this, the kindness of strangers and people you meet while you travel is amazing. I was held up in Chinese customs because I didn't have my flight plan printed out (hadn't recieved my connecting filght ticket due to Chinese regulations) and a Canadian guy on my flight staying with me and helped me out since he spoke Chinese. I never saw him again, but will never forget the kindness of taking the time to help a stranger at the airport. Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see what you post next on FlyAwayFriday!
That was certainly a kind stranger!
Absolutely – meeting folk from all walks of life is definitely one of the great things about travel. Like the time we stumbled across filming for an advert for a micro-brewery in the Welsh valleys and got invited to join in to make up the crowds but then spent the rest of the evening laughing with these people who'd lived there all their lives and their friends. It was like we'd known them years! #flyawayfriday
I think these small (or big) connections are some of the best parts of traveling. I think we travel to see places or monuments but we end getting hooked on the experience because of the people. I love when you can communicate when you do not even speak the same language.
Me too. Well said, Ruth.
Ava I LOVE this post, I have met some wonderful people on train journeys and shared stories with them and you are so right it is so inspiring and an honour that people let you in a little and share their stories, It is one of my favourite parts of traveling, it would not be the same without the people you meet along the way x
Thanks so much Christie! I agree, these people can make travel very special. 🙂