The Kindness of Strangers

I visited Kyiv back in March and as some folks know, the only way into Ukraine is via car or train. So I usually end up taking the train in. 

This was week two of the American-Israeli attack on Iran. Lots of noise online. Plenty of grifting by government officials and their family members. I was feeling very cynical and down on humans. Especially when I think about all the geopolitical and economic after-effects as well as pain that will come from this.  

I felt a bit down, even after a very enjoyable and productive trip to Kyiv, which was especially lovely that time of year. I love Kyiv which is a world class city, even with the regularity of cursed barbarian Russian missile and drone attacks. 

But on the train ride back to Warsaw, an old Ukrainian lady that I shared a cabin with started feeding me with some of the food she brought on the long train ride. A simple cheese and butter sandwich, sour cream cakes and she even bought me some water and a banana. She did not know who I was. We could barely communicate yet she was kind and hospitable. Sharing with me what little she had. Maybe because I looked like a lost young kid. (I’m not young but I do look lost many times :) And especially when I doubt we would ever run into each other again. 

I always encounter these situations when I travel and it’s a reminder there are wonderful & generous people out there. I will make sure I pay this forward myself. 

If these moments don’t re-awaken one’s hope and faith in humanity, I’m not sure what will. People can be kind and awesome. Never forget that.