Kindess from Strangers (and a couple of lessons learnt)

Way back in Easter this year, we went to Bremer Bay for the 5 day weekend. It was the first time we had been for Easter and it was great! Our stay included the local Easter church service, the Easter markets and lots of time on the beach! (Take me back, please!)

One day, when we were heading out to the beach, I was unable to find my sandals. Thinking maybe I'd lost them somewhere under a pile of beach towels and bathers, I dismissed the thought and carried on. But when we left, I was pretty sure the sandals weren't in the car with us. I was a bit sad to leave them behind, but didn't think much more to it...

Until about a month later and late one night I was bored on Facebook. That's when I noticed my "others" messages folder had a message in it. I opened it up and found a message from a lady telling me she had found my sandals on the beach over the Easter weekend! I'd happened to write my name on the insides of these certain sandals (not something I normally do) and she had searched up my name on Facebook and then sent me a message! I really couldn't believe it. She had gone to so much effort for someone random's shoes on the beach. Unfortunately, by this time, the message was sent over a month ago and she no longer had the shoes, but it really was the thought that counted...

Lessons learnt: Be sure to check your Facebook "other" folder regularly and always name your items!

Have you got any stories about nice things people have done for you?

The Story of Albert & Anira

Probably the most heartwarming experience I had during my visit to Taipei, was the day I met Albert and Anira.

It was a hot rainy day and we had driven over an hour through the mountains to arrive at our destination and catch the train to the next town.

We stood on the platform surrounded by young children, who I presume were on summer excursions with their school. There were a couple of children standing by me with whom I exchanged a few smiles.

Then one little boy, named Albert*, who was about seven, with a blue shirt and glasses came up and started talking to me in English. He just knew I spoke English! It’s funny how all the rest of the while that I was in Taipei, adults would start to speak to me in Chinese and continue even when I gave them weird looks. Albert on the other hand, just knew to speak to me in English! We spoke briefly and he asked me whether I liked pigs and if I could swim. (What are they teaching in English classes in Taiwan?)

All this while, there was a girl, about seven, who kept on smiling at me. Then just at the last moment, she finally found the courage and came up to me and said “Hello, My name in Anira*”, before smiling and running off to hop on the train. They both gave me big waves and that’s the last I ever saw of Albert and Anira.

But I had a great day that day and will always remember Albert and Anira on the train station platform in Taiwan!

* With their cute little Taiwanese accents, it was a bit hard to make out what they were actually saying, but I interpreted their names as Albert and Anira.