Due to a rental car accident, it was too late when Catherine Dupree and her father arrived in Canakkale, a town in northwestern Turkey, during a vacation in 2006. As they drove through town, trying in vain to navigate their way to the hotel (this was very before the age of reliable mapping apps like Waze), Ms. Dupree’s father spotted a man walking his dog and called him for help.
“He kind of let us know that he had to bring the dog home and then he could show us the way,” said Ms. Dupree, now 51, who lives in Los Angeles.
The man did indeed beckon them to follow him home, where, the dog secured, got into his own car and drove the couple for miles, through city streets, until he happily pointed out his window at their hotel. . and then disappeared into the night.
“Our embarrassment turned to disbelief turned to gratitude,” Ms. Dupree said of the experience. “My dad passed away in 2020 and always wished he could have thanked this man for his help.”
As we dive into summer travel, it can be easy to get carried away by the frustrations that often accompany what promises to be another hot, busy, potentially hectic season. And yes, there will be flight delays, crowded attractions, and inevitable inconveniences. But it’s also an opportunity to think about what’s possible when you explore the world: the kindness of strangers.
Late last year, we asked you to share memorable acts of kindness you’ve experienced while traveling. Your stories are reminders that sometimes, the most memorable and joyful parts of the journey can come from difficult times.
A surprise birthday cake in Milan
When Clark Peters was in his early 20s, he and a college friend were backpacking through Europe when disaster struck: They woke up on a night train in Italy to find that the train’s cash, checks, cards Eurail and his friend’s passport had been stolen. Even worse, it was Mr. Peters’ birthday. The two friends landed in Milan to regroup and headed first to the US consulate to replace their passports and then to an American Express office to replace their stolen traveler’s checks. There, they met a family from Ohio, Mr. Peters’ home state, whose daughter was studying abroad in the city.
“They insisted we stay with them and treated us to a wonderful home-cooked meal, surprising me with a birthday cake,” recalled Mr. Peters, who is now 58 and lives in Columbus, Mo. “The day turned from disaster to the best. experience of our trip and I have never forgotten the enormous generosity of the family.”
Making popcorn in Patagonia
While plans can and often do go awry, sometimes a lack of proper planning can lead to surprisingly pleasant results. A few years ago, Carolyn Rose Friedman hitchhiked from Chile to Argentina through Patagonia, where the national parks are connected by an unincorporated border—meaning the border facilities for each country are about 20 miles apart. Some pandemic restrictions were still in place, severely limiting the number of vehicles that could cross the border, although Ms Friedman, traveling with a group of women, managed to get a truck through. But when the truck stopped just before the Argentine side of the border, the driver asked the hitchhikers to get out of the vehicle. After a two-hour wait, the women finally got their passports stamped and crossed into Argentina, where they faced yet another hurdle.
“Unprepared and exhausted, we didn’t realize we would also have to find someone to help us get from the border to the nearest town, 15 kilometers away,” said Ms Friedman, who is now 25 and lives in Bogota, Colombia. . . As they lifted their heavy packs, they spotted a vehicle hidden in the woods just off the road. They detoured to investigate and happened upon a family gathered to celebrate a granddaughter’s fifth birthday. After hearing their pleas for help, family members said they would be happy to give them a ride, as long as they didn’t mind staying for the celebration.
“We got out the camping stove and made popcorn for the birthday girl and shared that despite the three languages between us, we spent the next few hours building a beautiful and unexpected friendship,” he said. “If we had done our research properly, we would never have encountered them.”
The big impact of a simple act
Sometimes it’s the simplest acts that can turn a travel nightmare into a fond memory. Several years ago, Briana Boston, 42, was traveling home from a family road trip without her husband and three young boys when she stopped for a bite to eat in Lakeland, Florida. The kids were tired, hungry and not on their best behavior. When an elderly woman approached her, Ms. Boston, who lives in Central Florida, braced herself for a snide comment or worse.
“Instead, he gently patted my hand and said, ‘It’s long days and short years when you’re raising children. Enjoy them now while they are young and don’t worry what anyone else thinks. You’re doing great.” Mrs. Boston burst into tears. “I never forgot her kind words,” he said.
A roadside assistance
Of course, going out of your way to be nice to someone comes with its own reward. But sometimes, these good intentions can lead to even more benefits. Yana Mihailuka, 39, was driving back from a winter hike in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in California when people in a car on the side of the road flagged her down. Thinking they needed help, he pulled her over.
“It was snowing, and we thought their car had broken down,” said Ms Mihailuka, who lives in Paris. “It turned out that this wonderful family had made a ton of tamales and wanted to share them with us! It was so moving and wonderful.”
