Three Good Things

Earlier this month I was in Los Angeles (to give a TEDx talk – more on that in another post!) and at the end of my trip, over the space of about 36 hours, the universe seemed to open up and good things happened.

I had a wonderful trip: I had worked hard, prepared hard, and done all the things I set out to do to the very best of my capabilities, and then there was the last day. This ‘last day’ is something that someone very wise once said should always be included in trips. The last day was the travel day, and it had virtually nothing planned – it was the down time, the time to soak it in. (and yes, the time to travel and get to the plane safely) I hadn’t really understood how valuable that soaking in time was – the time between the schedule on the trip and the schedule when you arrive back. Without that time, there is little space to process.

I had no idea what my last day had in store for me.

It started with the Swedish Fish.

I went to the grocery store to get my son some Swedish Fish. (they are a yummy gummy red candy in the shape of fishes) At the grocery store they were on offer – save $1 – yay! and I got two bags of them… fast forward to the checkout and the man said, “Hello, how are you today?” and he was a checkout man, and it is possible either becuase of his job or his thick accent or because sometimes people just don’t talk to one another that he was used to being rather blanked after that question. I happened to be pretty cheerful and must have smiled and said something like “I’m actually really good, thank you! It’s been a good day!” -and it had been a good day.

He stopped, looked at me, and said, “I think you’re my friend. I’m going to give you a good discount.” and he proceded to take the Swedish Fish OFF THE BILL. I got free Swedish Fish! (all becuase I smiled and spoke to someone?!?)

The rest of the day was good, and at the end of the day it was time to go to the airport….

…and return the rental car…

I made it to the car hire place and carefully drove in to the line of cars to be checked. A man came with a scanner to beep the car in and then I got out and opened the back door, saying, “I’ll be just a minute. I’ve got to get out my stuff if that’s ok.” and he looked at me and waved his hand, saying, “No, no, no, you don’t need to do that. I’ll find a driver and get him to drive you to the airport in this vehicle.”

I had never heard anything like it. -and there were other people returning cars – presumably when they walked away from their cars they went to the shuttle… and I just got told someone would drive me in my car to the airport. I did not complain! I was so glad not to be balancing my big suitcase, little suitcase, backpack, and cello in the giant BAM travel case (which I can just about do, but it is neither easy nor elegant). …I did comment that he (the driver) drove ‘a bit’ more zoomily than I did when the car was officially rented to me (!). Valet service. Bliss !!!! and completely amazing.

Then there was the amazing thing (that I haven’t counted as one of the three, but it is epic all by itself) that i was asked if I wanted to volunteer to stay one more day and fly back the next day. um… YES. So I was put up in a nice (4*) airport hotel, given 3 meal vouchers, and given a *free round trip ticket anywhere in the world*. (I did say it was completely epic!!!!)

So I had a magic day. An extra day !!!! I got brave and decided to go see some of my favourite sites. In all my trips with students to California I always take them to Santa Monica and I thought wouldn’t it be nice to see the beach and sea one more time… I got brave and put the TAP app on my phone so I could ride the Big Blue Bus (public transportation), which is amazing!!! You can go anywhere for $1. !!!!

Here’s amazing thing number 3: The Big Blue Bus

I thought through my day… I’d have breakfast, hop on the bus, go to one of my favourite yoga classes, walk around, have a go on the rings at the beach, maybe find a pizza, and have plenty of time to get back for my flight. Sounded like a great extra last day to me!

It did make me nervous though, travelling by myself and not really knowing where I was going. I didn’t know the bus route and I could look things up, but only on wifi… (my phone has a super expensive data contract so I was wifi only) so there was a genuine bit of unknown. – still, I got my nerve up and got on the bus. The driver was cheerful and asked, “Where’re you going?” and I said- Santa Monica! He said, “Not on this bus, I’m going the other way.” and without a gap he added, “You want the other direction – Let me (but he pronounced it ‘lemmie’) just take you to the stop you want. I’ll drive you. It’s a couple blocks up and then you cross the street. -Look there’s the driver coming – I know her. I can signal to her to wait for you.”

!!! At this point he was already driving… and then he beeped and waved to the other driver, then opened the door and said to me, “Now you cross the street, but don’t get yourself run over!” –I said I’d hurry (and I did run!) and thanked him and wished him a good day!

What the actual heck was that?!!?!! Like I said, I have never had anything like that happen in my life, let alone so many things at once. I was, admittedly, incredibly happy and I think that probably was (at least a little) radiating out of me, but heavens that was a lot of kindness.

Three good things.

I won’t forget that ‘last day’ and I certainly hope I can do the same for some random strangers — or some not random strangers, I just hope to put some of that goodness back into the universe.

-and as for LA, I’ll be back!