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Shelter from the Storm

Shelter from the StormThe world is good. The people in it are good, too. I know this.A middle aged European woman sat next to me on the Jet Blue flight from Cancun Mexico to JFK, New York. She asked me if I would mind if she rested her feet up on the seat next to [...]

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Shelter from the Storm


The world is good. The people in it are good, too. I know this.

A middle aged European woman sat next to me on the Jet Blue flight from Cancun Mexico to JFK, New York. She asked me if I would mind if she rested her feet up on the seat next to me. Her toes were a little gross and they were peaking out at me from little holes scattered all about her be-speckled socks. I did not mind their less than amiable company though, so I smiled and told her that it would be OK. She thanked me, raised her feet into a comfortable position, and then told me that if I needed anything on the flight all I would only have to ask her. I smiled.

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Wade from Vagabond Journey.com
on Jet Blue flight from Cancun to New York- May 14, 2008
Travel Photos
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An hour later I asked the Jet Blue flight attendant if we would be served a meal. He said no. I sat back in my seat, slightly dejected and hungry. But in a matter of moments I found a chocolate bar and a bag of Japanese peanuts showered upon me by the European woman with the gross toes. She offered me a little shelter from the storm of harshness that sometimes rears its head in this world. She did not know me, probably thought that I looked funny, and could have enjoyed eating her snacks herself in lieu of the fact that we would not be feed for the duration of the flight.

It felt good to be reminded yet again that there are still good people in this world; that people appreciate kindness and repay it in kind.This little social anecdote came at a perfect time too, as I was on the verge of being really let down by many of the interactions that I had in Mexico.

I smile because I know that there are still people who will not hesitate to offer a stranger shelter from the storm.

I too will do something good for someone, someday.

I travel to find the good in the world.

* Travel Blog Directory * Vagabond Journey.com * Travel Photos *

Filed under: Air Travel, Mexico, North America

About the Author:

I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 91 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. has written 3699 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

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VBJ is currently in: New York City

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