We Meet By Chance

february 7, 2012

When we are traveling, we seem to have interesting Karma.  I am always surprised when we are able to coordinate a planned meeting that gets everyone to the same place at the appointed time.   But when meetings happen by chance, it is even more surprising in a cosmic sort of way!  Our day began mid-morning with a very long walk. In order to make arrangements to travel the rest of Argentina and into Uruguay, we needed to first find boat tickets and check the long distance bus schedule.  On this particular day, we chose to walk to work off all the pizzas, beer, and empanadas of the past few days. When we started out, it was a pleasantly warm, but not humid morning.  We purchased our boat tickets, but in order to get bus information, we had to walk several long blocks to the bus station.  This was a distance that became more and more difficult as the noontime heat intensified.  But we found the bus station and got the required information.  However, after covering what seemed like hundreds of miles (most likely only 5 miles), the humidity finally got to us, and I insisted that we grab a cab with the intention of going back to our cool, air conditioned apartment.  However, the closer we got, the need to eat pre-empted our return.  So we, by chance, settled on a cute café near our home.  Not long after being served we were greeted by a stranger who we soon recognized as Paul White, a friend from Manhattan Beach.  He said that he too had been wandering for miles and became just as hot, and happened to stop for a cooling glass of beer.  Not long after sitting, he noticed us sitting a few tables away.  Paul had no idea he was anywhere near where we were staying.  And even though we had communicated often by e-mail about meeting sometime during our stay, this meeting was not planned. I love when people meet by chance.   Last night we managed a planned time to connect with both Paul and Sharon for a Parrilla dinner.  The meal exceeded all our expectations for finding delicious and tender, wood-fire grilled beef.  It was a wonderful way to say our good byes to our friends prior to our early morning departure to Uruguay.