1) When I was about 4 or 5 I took it upon myself to try and protect the house while my father was gone on his trips. Although I was the youngest, for some reason I thought I'd be the one to rid the house of any robbers who might enter. Since my bedroom looked out to the stairs, I figured I'd be the only person who could see the robber actually coming to the upstairs bedrooms. I would sit in my bed staring at the stairs for as long as I could. My Plan: While the so called robber was climbing the stairs, I would run from my bed, jump over the railing, and land on his head. I thought for sure that would do it. I was confident and ready.
2) I began swimming at a very early age. Very early. I thought I was good! I simply watched my older brother and learned from his moves. He was a good teacher. See below..
And yes, I was missing the top of my swimming suit. I wasn't afraid, it made me swim faster, or so I thought!
3) AS I grew up, I began my travels. I could be dropped in any third world country, take the public transportation, and live like a local. It wasn't always pleasant, but it was educational...
4) On my very first journey completely alone, something magical happened. I was visiting a dear friend in Croatia for a few days while I was traveling in Europe. I had been with another friend who had to get back to France quickly for a class she was taking. I decided that instead of flying with her, I'd say a few extra days and take the train. I wanted to see and spend a few days in Slovenia and Switzerland. It would be my first time traveling outside of the US completely alone. I was 22 years-old. My first mistake was that I took a late afternoon train, putting me in Ljubljana (the capital) at 11:30 p.m. That meant a few things, no bank to exchange money and therefore no taxi to take me somewhere. I stepped out into the darkness and tried to get onto a local bus. I had a book with a map that showed me where a few hostels were, so I thought I'd just ask the bus driver to drop me off- without me paying. Easy, right? Yes, actually yes. The bus driver took pity on me when I tried to give him a crisp US dollar. He shook his head and pulled out the local currency and pointed. I shrugged and tried handing him the dollar again. He finally relinquished and let me on, without taking my dollar. I showed him my map, and pointed to some places. He nodded, and pointed to a place, outside of the city, which actually had a few hostels. I nodded and sat down. I was smiling and proud, this was easy.
When the bus driver dropped me off, I was in front of a lone bar. A very loud and drunken bar. I walked in with my huge backpack on and went to the bar. "FULL" the lady said. I stared at her, "FULL" she said again as she swayed side to side with a shot in her hand. I just stood there. "FULL!!!!" she said louder, after swigging the shot. I walked out.
My heart was pounding at this point, I guess I had finally gotten a little nervous. I looked in the book and saw that there was another place about a mile away. It was dark and I was by a highway. Nothing was in sight. I walked. When I finally arrived the place was closed down. Windows broken, doors boarded up, the works. I quickly took out my book and saw another place about a mile and a half away. I walked. It also was closed. I sat by the street and tried to think. There was one last place listed on this street, but it was about 3 miles away and it was very late by now. Suddenly I saw the bus. The driver recognized me and picked me up, even though it was not a bus stop. He was waving his hands and shaking his head. He made it clear I was not in the safest neighborhood, but I already knew that. He took me the 3 miles to the last place. It was still in business. I sighed a sigh of relief and tried opening the door. LOCKED! I tried buzzing the front desk. CRICKETS. I tried for 30 minutes. Have I mentioned yet that it was raining? Yep, this whole time it had been raining so I was soaked head to toe. I tried to find something with an overhang to rest under, but nothing. I sat on the stairs, wondering what I should do next.
After a while I saw headlights. The car pulled into the parking lot and parked. A very old couple got out of the car. The elderly man was using a walker and it took the couple a while to reach the steps where I was sitting. When they saw me they were very concerned and surprised. They spoke to me... in German. I tried English. They tried French... I tried Spanish. In the end, we couldn't communicate with words. I put my hands to my head and pretended to sleep. I buzzed the buzzer and raised my hands in confusion. They understood. The lady motioned for me to wait and went into the building. The man kept trying to talk, I had no idea what he was saying. I took a guess, "I'm from USA". He got it, huge smile. He made a fist and started saying USA, USA, USA and laughed. I smiled.
After what seemed like forever the lady came back, alone. Huh? I was sure she would have gotten me help, perhaps by getting the check in person. She exchanged words with her husband and after a bit they were agreeing to something.
They motioned me to follow them inside. I did. They took me down some winding halls and opened the door to their room. I stood in the hall. They took their pillows and blankets and made me a bed on the floor. I just stood there. The room was VERY small, so when they were done, they motioned for me to come in and they pointed to the tiny the bed on the floor and made the sleeping gesture. The elderly man pointed where to place my backpack, and he made the brushing teeth gesture and sent me to the bathroom. They pointed me to the floor, smiled, and said in perfect English "Good Night" and then they both giggled.
As I was lying on that floor, I was so thankful to be out of the rain and off the streets. I was overwhelmed by these people, who didn't even know my name. My heart was still pounding and I knew, right then, that I was being protected by something. It had all worked out, and I was taught one of the greatest lessons in humanity that I have ever learned. After a long while, I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I awoke to the couple gesturing to eat. They were already dressed and heading out the door. They pointed down the hall and gestured eating again. The man pointed to the shower, then pointed to the hall. I understood. I quickly showered, and dressed. I found the dining room easily, but the couple were nowhere in sight. A waitress came up and asked if I was with the elderly couple. She spoke perfect English. She led me to a table and brought me an amazing breakfast! I sat, alone, and ate every bit of it. When I asked the lady how much I had to pay, she informed me that the couple had already taken care of it. I asked her for a favor. She was skeptical. I asked for paper and a pen. She smiled and went to get them. When she came back I wrote a heartfelt thank you note to a couple who wouldn't understand a word of it. I then asked the lady if she would be so kind as to translate the note for the couple when they returned. She read it, looked at me, and thoughtfully agreed.
This night was probably one of the best nights I have ever had.
So, why am I writing about this? I don't know. Maybe because the memory comes to me often in hard times. It reminds me that at some point, someone will come and open the door. I have never really had much fear, but cancer scares me. I am almost done with my chemo, almost ready to get back to the bigger and better me, and a part of me fears that this could happen all over again. But, when this thought comes to mind, I picture myself standing in the rain on the side of the road in Ljubljana wondering what the future would hold. And, I remember, that something is watching over me. So, I look the fear in the face and wonder what will be waiting for me on the other side of the door, once I get there.
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