So, I had probably one of the biggest personal experiences of my life this past week and it all started about five years ago. I used to frequent a certain pet website, where I met a girl who I will refer to as M. M had messaged me one day and we began talking and found out we had a lot in common. The only big problem was that she lived in Europe, while I lived in America. At the time, it was pretty lame, but we did what we could do and maintained our friendship. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't crush on her from time to time, but I tried my best to move on with my life. I dated a few girls, got into some serious relationships, finished high school, went to college, and, well, fast forward to late last year.
M and I were talking and we both decided we finally wanted to meet in person. I was in college, single, and I had the money. We decided that for my Spring Break, I'd fly out to Europe and meet her. I saved up all of my money I had, put off buying video games, anime, et cetera, and finally paid off everything for this trip. I was so excited and nervous. I was finally meeting M. It was going to be great.
Well, the months leading up to the trip were stressful and felt like FOREVER. I wanted to go so badly, but I just had to keep going. I've already waited a few years, so what are a few months? Anyhow, fast forward to last Saturday. It's the day. I catch my plane and fly out to Europe. (I went with a few friends, just to be safe, but my main goal of this trip was to spend time with M) I arrive at the airport and we finally meet. It went AMAZINGLY. We clicked, got along, and had an amazing day together. She took me around her neck of the woods, and we even stopped at a game shop so I could play with the 3DS. It was everything I imagined it to be. Later in the evening, we began to get kind of close, and, to be brief, we kissed. It was stunning. I didn't imagine it to even happen and, to be honest, it really confused me. However, she had to work on Monday and Tuesday, so I would have to wait a few days to see her again(since she lived a good distance from the hotel I stayed in)
So, my friends and I just toured around the area and saw all the sites and stuff. it was lovely. I was planning on meeting M in a town near her for maybe a movie and some dinner, when literally 10 minutes before I leave for the train, she messages me on facebook. She seemed very upset and was telling me she regretted being very forward with me and she said she didn't know how she truly felt. I was just, shocked. I wasn't mad. i wasn't upset. I was just confused. I wasn't going to just drop this, so I tried to pull myself together and began my 1.5 hour train journey to meet her. So, here is where things begin to blow my mind.
I get on the train and I looked absolutely miserable. I was in another country on the other side of the world and I was alone, in addition to my situation with M. I was trying to keep myself together and not make rash conclusions, but I'll admit it was hard. So, here I am, sitting on a train, when literally three different people ask me how I was. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. They were actually just concerned. The first one was a women in her late 20's/early 30's. I told her why I had came here and she praised my effort to meet someone, but reminded me that I was young and had the rest of my life ahead of me. She also said that I should still enjoy myself in Europe. The next person to talk to me was an older gentleman in his late 40's/early 50's. He gave me similar advice and was very polite. After talking to these two people, I had felt a little better. After they left, a young British man got in the train and sat next to me. I noticed that the bookmark he was using for his book was a Pokemon card, so we started talking. He was very polite and nice. I told him my situation and he gave me some solid advice and made me feel better.
Three different people talked to me on that 1.5 hour train ride. I didn't know any of them. Needless to say, I had felt much better when I arrived at the station. I met up with M and we discussed where we were. I told her I didn't expect anything to happen, but that I did like her. She said she didn't know and wanted to think. I told her that we should just spend the rest of the week together, so we can understand what kind of people we both were. We then got some food and had a lovely night. On my way home to the hotel, I caught the final train out of the area. I was the only one on the train, until a young couple got on. They sat across from me, greeted me, and offered me a drink. It was a can of Rum Coke. We just chatted on the train, and they told me some great places to visit while I was in Europe.
I had met five people that evening that didn't know me and they all made me feel excellent. In America, especially where I live, I'm not used to strangers being that nice and polite. It was amazing.
Anyway, I spent the rest of the week with M, even going to visit France one of the days, and we had an AMAZING time. It was everything we thought it would be and at the end, we both decided that we needed to see each other again as soon as possible. The only sad thing was that she had to leave a day early since she had to work when my flight was leaving. However, the story doesn't end here.
She had to work at 8Am on Saturday. She lived ~2 hours from where I was staying, so she couldnt stay the last night. With the help of her sister, I worked out a crazy public transportation route to get me to her work so I could surprise her, say my final farewell, and then catch a taxi to the airport. It was flawless. At least, so I thought. The plan was to catch a bus at 5am to take me to a train station at 6am, then catch a 6:10am bus at the station to take me out to the town she lives in. I'd then catch a taxi from the station to her work. I had it all worked out. I packed up all of my gear and headed out at 4:30am. And here is where it just went to hell.
First, there had been a stabbing half an hour prior to my arrival at the busstop and the area was completely cut off. I walked to another stop but the bus I needed didnt show for half an hour. I was so scared and nervous and I had no idea what to do. However, there were plenty of people there who offered advice and alternative routes, but I just was panicing, that I didn't remember much of what they said. I finally found a taxi company that could drive me to the station, however, when we arrived, I didn't have enough cash. i tried to use an ATM but my pin number got rejected. I only had 10 USD, 10 Euros, and 10 Pounds. I gave the driver my money and he said not to worry and that I needed to go and catch my bus. I caught my bus with literally 30 seconds to spare. I told the driver my story and she was very polite, told me to relax, catch some Z's, and that she'd wake me when we arrived. I thanked her and passed out on the bus. I woke up to her saying my name when we arrived in M's town. I get off the bus, only to find that no taxi's were at the station. I was in the middle of the countryside and had no idea what to do. I walked around confused for maybe one minute, when a women in her 20s came up to me and offered me her assistance. She then went and wrote down very detailed directions to M's work. (I had her work address, just not Google Maps on my phone since I didn't have data)
I walk ~25 minutes to show up at her work, only to find out that she isn't there and she was rescheduled. I was just speechless. I had no idea what the hell to do. I texted her saying "Boy do I have a story to tell you" and after texting shortly, she ran down to meet up with me. She ran up to me, hugged me and grabbed hold of me, and told me that what I did was one of the nicest things ever. I smiled and was so happy I could see her. However, as soon as I met her, my taxi company called and said they were there. I asked if I could have some extra time and they had no trouble with it. So M and I just sat there and talked. I eventually had to go, so she walked me to my taxi. I had the most amazing day despite the crazy morning.
Basically, I met a bunch of amazingly polite strangers, had an amazing time in a foreign country, and met someone I had been looking forward to meet for years. I'm hopefully going back this summer to see M again and maybe try to work towards something. Right now, we're excellent friends and she means a lot to me. It was easily the best vacation I've ever been on.
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tl;dr
I met a bunch of polite strangers in Europe and they helped me with my problems. Life is amazing.
Also, I lol'd because I think of M from James Bond when I read this. I kept some details vague on purpose.
