I really should be dead, or at least kidnapped by now.
Let me explain.
I was talking about Rome's giant rat problem with my husband (apparently not something you'll find much evidence of online, but trust me, I've seen more than my fair share of
baby stealing sized massive rats in Rome) when we started talking about graffiti in Rome. I mentioned I felt like I saw much more graffiti during my first trip to the Amalfi Coast than anywhere in Rome, but that's because I ended up on the wrong Circumvesuviana heading towards Sarno instead of Sorrento.
On the way towards Sarno the train passed by an endless amount of graffiti, some beautiful works of art, others not so artistically inclined. Though it was an interesting detour, it was hardly worth the hour long wait for the correct train once I realized my mistake. Since this was a last minute decision to go on a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, it is a wonder how I was able to see anything at all considering transportation was on a very limited off season schedule.
The reason I was able to enjoy the coast was because a stranger made a decision to pull over and ask me if I wanted a ride while I was waiting in Positano for a bus that never arrived. I mean it could have ended very badly, or at least been an awkward situation, but instead this friendly stranger gave me a full tour, showing me Furore and telling me stories of diving competitions,visiting Villa Rufolo in Ravello, and stopping in Amalfi for a delizia al limoni. In the end he offered to let me drive along the Amalfi Coast (which I declined due to my lack of manual driving abilities) and dropped me off at the train station hoping that I enjoyed the day.
The thing is, this whole following strangers who promise adventure isn't an uncommon behavior of mine when I travel. I did the same in Udaipur when a stranger started a conversation with me and later insisted on showing me around on his motorcycle. We went to pretty remote parts of Udaipur and I was able to see more of the city than I had planned on. The whole time I never considered my safety to be in danger. When I told my friend this on return to Mumbai, he insisted on making me watch the movie "
Taken" as proof that I shouldn't be so trusting.
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| A Few Sights I Would Have Missed If I Didn't Hop On A Motorcycle With A Stranger |
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| A Few Sights I Would Have Missed If I Didn't Hop On A Motorcycle With A Stranger |
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| A Few Sights I Would Have Missed If I Didn't Hop On A Motorcycle With A Stranger |
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| A Few Sights I Would Have Missed If I Didn't Hop On A Motorcycle With A Stranger |
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Then there was the time I was heading back to Cairo from Dahab and was scheduled to arrive early morning while my flight to London wasn't until late afternoon. I didn't know where to go with my luggage at 5 AM, but it just so happened a man who tried to get my attention while in Dahab was on the same bus as me. He was Lebanese living in Milan with an apartment in Heliopolis, an apartment that he insisted that I stay in while waiting for my flight. So I did.
Or what about the time I was shopping around Jokhang in Lhasa and really wanted to try yak milk tea (which is delicious!). I asked some shop boys where I could find some and one of them decided to take me to a local tea house. I followed him around winding streets with dark corners until we made it to our destination. He suggested we sit in the kitchen to attract less attention since I was the only female patron in a men only tea house. In the end I had the opportunity to learn about life in Tibet while trying something I really wanted to try. From all the reports of tea ceremony scams in bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai, this could have ended badly, but it was a genuine tea house with some locals and good conversation.
There are other examples, but those need to be shared over a drink!
I joked with Daniele that maybe I'm not kidnap-able, but he thinks that no matter how trusting I am, I have a good sense of when a situation can be dangerous. I didn't grow up very sheltered and my parents never taught me not to talk to strangers, which probably worked to my advantage.
Whatever the reason, the best experiences I have had while traveling came from trusting strangers. Many situations that had the potential to end badly usually turned into the best experiences. I know this is terribly irresponsible advice to give anyone, but who knows, maybe the universe does take care of those who travel and trust in the good of others.
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