I am constantly floored by the kindness of strangers.

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Of all the things I have ever seen, the most beautiful is the kindness of strangers. My heart swells to see people looking out for their fellow man, regardless of age or sex or race or nationality or status or how well they know them. Especially when there is no expectation of anything in return. And to be on the receiving end of that kindness over and over again is its own great experience. I am very thankful. I feel very taken care of. 

There is something especially sweet about travelers taking care of each other; it is like being part of this great community that transcends national boundaries. 

In Namibia we had the opportunity to pay it forward when we passed a young girl hitchhiking as we headed from Cape Cross to Walvis Bay. We picked her up and took her to her hostel which was on our way. Vicky, who is from China, had been traveling for 15 months through Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, and now southwest Africa. 

As we drove with Vicky I realized we had four different continents represented in the car: North America, Australia (Mel), Europe (Suteh), and Asia (Vicky). Five continents if you take into account that Suteh is also Gambian. 

And in that moment--driving the Namibian coast--we were more the same than we were different, and I felt so united with the world. 

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