Making a local connection

by Albina Kurmasheva (Kazakhstan)

Making a local connection Italy

Thus this story will be about how I got acquainted with a person of biggest heart. I had always been wishing to visit Italy. That spring when I finally had opportunity to travel there I spent all my money for two way tickets and I had to manage my accommodation. I already was aware that there is a website for hosts but had never tried it being afraid to trust someone abroad. My curiosity led me to log and look for my potential host. It took me a short period of time to find more or less friendly people who could accept me. Thus, I started to text them and built up my first network with people who I did not really know at all. Time passed on and for different reasons I ended up with one option who was a young lad. He seemed to be very kind person because he was very open to me and we used to talk about my upcoming trip. So I collected all my courage and accepted his propose to join him while my trip to Milan. I arrived closer to midnight and it took me an entire hour to realize that the logistics is quite different there comparing to where I lived. I wandered between railway station and subway and finally understood that it is unavailable for night time. I took a taxi there and arrived at the apartment building where concierge was informed and provided me a spare key for his apartment. Prior for my departure to Milan my host told me that he needed to wake up early and leave to work. So was I like a quite mouse when entering my one night apartment. Surprisingly I noticed a collection of sunglasses and other traces of his hobbies. My bed was prepared with fluffy pillows and warm blanket thus, I thought of his kindness. When I woke up in the morning my breakfast on the table made me notice his tenderness. I dressed up and left to discover the city I arrived to. Whole day I spent roaming among tourists in the city center tasting local food and taking glimpses of Duomo, La Scala and modern malls like Grand Gallery. As I had a train ticket for the next city I arranged my time the way I could come back to the apartment of my host and met him then take my luggage. The next hour I spent in subway waiting for the train to the station I needed. Suddenly there was an announcement that due to rail way fixing the road is closed. I rushed outdoors however, no taxi was available. I was counting the hours which I had, trying to use it properly to get my clothes back with me. Suddenly I realize there is no enough time for it. Then I had no other choice than asking my host to bring them to the railway station. Surprising was his sincere willingness to help me in this tough situation, his real understanding and prompt reply that “he is gonna arrive”. It cooled me down but my heart was beating so fast that I thought it would jump out of my chest while waiting. We met each other on escalator because I noticed my pink backpack on hands of a young lad. No one can imagine how grateful I was to this person to his big heart and help he done. I remember that I had national chocolate with me so I presented it for him. He saw me off. When I was in the train I thanked God to have this opportunity to meet new people who are kind and trustworthy. Making a local connection with a person whom I met only online showed me how people can be share you hard situation and be sensitive to it. In other words no matter where person might be we are all united by our kindness and pure intention.