In Toronto I am to meet up with vita, kenzie, and Jackie, the first time flyers and first time international travellers, that way we will be on the same plane arriving in Dublin. I wait and wait outside customs for them to come out; their flight was a few minutes late and I'm getting nervous about them making the connection. A conversation strikes up with the security worker by the exit. He's a funny guy and I can tell he enjoys his job because for the last half hour I've watched him give directions and info to a couple dozen people, always with a smile and a sometimes with a joke (about 50% of the time it's lost in translation). He's originally from India and used to be a teacher there. He also taught in Paris. He tells me he learned English in one year and he moved to Toronto for his kids, so they can go to school here. It was getting close to boarding time so I said goodbye and told him to keep a lookout for my three blonde friends coming through. I headed through security and to my gate, praying the whole time that the girls had already come through security and would miraculously be sitting at the gate waiting for me. And when I arrived that's exactly what happened! There they are, totally chill and I was the freaking out. (I still am perplexed as to how they made it through customs in 15 minutes) These girls are going to be great to travel with in Ireland!
Now back to my Indian security guard friend. I realized something about myself after talking to him. Ten years ago I wouldbt have had that conversation with him, maybe not even 5 years ago. Not because he's Indian or because I'm in a foreign country, but just because I didn't HAVE to. Maybe I would have asked him if he knew if their flight had come in, or where my gate is, etc. But even that I wouldbt have bothered if I could fibs it on a monitor somewhere. Sometimes we can all be a little too independent and self sufficient... And we miss out on the little joys that arise from conversations with strangers, meeting new people, and learning things from others. This guy was talking about teaching and said it's impossible to teach on Monday mornings, it would be better to throw some coffee at the kids because they are all sleepy. Haha, that's universal!
So, one of my goals for this trip, this summer, and this life, is to take the time to talk to people more, even when it's less convenient than not striking up a conversation. You never know what you'll get from it.
Photo of the day:
Why does my water have an expiration date? As if the name "Enviroclear" isn't weird enough.
