The kindness of strangers: dazed, confused and far from home, a train worker offered me a place to stay
I was a sobbing country kid, stranded without luggage at a big-city train station, when a voice inquired: ‘Can I help you?’
- Read more in the kindness of strangers series
I grew up in Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales and went to university in Bathurst.
I was 19 and heading back to uni at the end of the midyear break when I fell asleep on the Sydney-bound train, waking up just after the station where I was supposed to switch to a bus. I was an inexperienced traveller, so I asked the on-board staff what to do. “Stay on until Central and we’ll sort out your train to Bathurst from there,” I was told. I resisted the temptation to get off at the next station and call my family for a pickup. I told myself it was my mistake and I needed to figure it out.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
They Built a Home to Fend Off California Wildfires. But Will They Stay?
The Vogts designed their Malibu house to withstand disasters. But they were only beginning to learn the mental toll the fires would take on them.The New York Times - 1d -
Far-Right Extremists Are LARPing as Emergency Workers in Los Angeles
White supremacists and MAGA livestreamers are using the wildfires to solicit donations, juice social media engagement, and recruit new followers.Wired - 6d -
The kindness of strangers: it was the jacket of my dreams – then he offered it to me at a price I could afford
The Australian dollar-to-euro exchange rate meant I’d be forking out over a week’s wages. Then the Paris shop owner said simply: ‘That jacket was meant for you’. Read more in the kindness of ...The Guardian - Jan. 13 -
Acts of kindness in CA wildfires offer glimmers of hope for victims
Amid the devastation of Southern California's wildfires, acts of kindness, donations and community support are providing hope to victims, displaying strength and resilience in the face of disaster. ...NBC News - Jan. 13 -
Ex-USC QB Miller Moss rips outlet for misrepresenting post-wildfire footage of strangers playing basketball at family's home
"Those are utter strangers."Yahoo Sports - Jan. 11 -
The kindness of strangers: we thought we’d been poisoned at Tolstoy’s house. Then a local explained what we had really drunk
We took thirsty chugs from the tall glasses. Surely this ‘water’ belonged in a biohazard chamber, not our mouths. Read more in the kindness of strangers series In July 2019 I travelled to ...The Guardian - Jan. 8 -
A moment that changed me: I went to Kew Gardens – and found a place of safety after homelessness and drug addiction
I’d had a very tough few years after my father died, living on the streets and sleeping with one eye open. But as I looked at a tulip tree that day, my love of gardening came flooding back. I spent ...The Guardian - Jan. 8 -
The kindness of strangers: I needed a place to take my burnout and my dog, then a woman I’d never met sent me an invitation
A woman related to my memoir so much, she offered to lend me her holiday shack. When we met in person, we couldn’t stop talking. Find the rest of our series of stories on the kindness of ...The Guardian - Jan. 6 -
'Excellent place': RB Jones wants to stay a Viking
As he nears the end of one of his most productive seasons, Vikings RB Aaron Jones made it clear this week: He has found a new home and hopes to re-sign with the team when his contract expires this ...ESPN - Jan. 2
More from The Guardian
-
Trump to sign executive orders in front of crowd of supporters at inaugural parade – live updates
President and first lady join family and political leaders at Capital One arena in Washington DC. Trump expected to sign barrage of executive orders Factchecking Trump’s inaugural address ...The Guardian - 5m -
Trump embraces role of demagogue on divine mission to reshape America
The president cast himself as a holy warrior in a speech that made 2017’s ‘American carnage’ theme seem almost innocent. He is risen. After dodging an assassin’s bullet and the prospect of jail, ...The Guardian - 1h -
Elon Musk appears to make back-to-back fascist salutes at inauguration rally
Tech billionaire wades into controversy after shooting right arm on upwards diagonal during celebrations of Trump. Donald Trump inauguration – live updates Elon Musk waded into controversy ...The Guardian - 2h -
Trump’s return to the White House is a carefully choreographed display of brute force
Trump’s team has learned how to weaponize his power over the Republican party to achieve their political goals. Donald Trump inauguration – live updates Donald Trump swept back into the ...The Guardian - 2h -
Brimful of menace? Melania strikes sombre note at Trump inauguration
While the first lady seemed less than keen to pick up the traditional fashion baton, Ivanka was happy to step in. Donald Trump inauguration – live updates In the Capitol rotunda, the ...The Guardian - 2h
More in World
-
Trump to sign executive orders in front of crowd of supporters at inaugural parade – live updates
President and first lady join family and political leaders at Capital One arena in Washington DC. Trump expected to sign barrage of executive orders Factchecking Trump’s inaugural address ...The Guardian - 5m -
Scores of Senior Diplomats Are Leaving Posts as Trump Takes Office
The departures are common when a transition takes place, but it is now happening more quickly and on a larger scale than under previous administrations, a U.S. official said.The New York Times - 25m -
Bears set to appoint Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as new head coach
38-year-old helped transform Detroit’s offense Bears QB Caleb Williams is an admirer of Johnson Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has agreed to become the Chicago Bears head coach, ...The Guardian - 52m -
As Cease-Fire Takes Hold, Gazans Return to Destroyed Homes
Gazans were surveying the vast damage to their neighborhoods on Monday as anxious Israelis awaited news about the condition of the hostages.The New York Times - 53m -
Trump Plans to Pull the U.S. Out of the Paris Agreement on Climate
The United States would be one of only four countries outside the Paris Agreement, which is designed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.The New York Times - 54m