Matt – LGA – Stranded

Once again, I got completely screwed over trying to leave New York City – the city must love me too much. I was in first class sitting next to a guy name Matt when Delta told us the plane had mechanical problems. Since we were in first class, we both got free meal vouchers ($20) and had dinner together. Matt is a very experienced engineer doing work for U.S. embassies around the world. However, he is currently working in new york city and travels there weekly for work. We talked about his daughter that he had while he was in High School. Having her had pushed him to get married earlier than he would have normally, but he has no regrets and loves his wife and daughter dearly. His daughter sounds like an amazing individual. She is in her senior year in high-school and wants to go to school on the east coast to study pharmacy. She has scored very well on all of her National Exams. We talked about how proud of her he was and about her college admissions journey. They had visited many schools together and talked about the costs – he is not looking forward to living like a poor man for the next four years and still having to take loans.

LIRR – Long Island Rail Road – June 12th

I was meeting up a good friend for dinner and had to take a 45 minute train (the LIRR) from New York City to Long Island. The train was quite full by the time I got on so I sat next to a hairy man. He sort of smelled funny, but I said hi anyways. His name was Patrick. He cuts down trees for a living (hence the funny smell) with his father 2 hours (by train) from New York City. He goes to NYC every week to see a doctor for a special medical condition. I told him about my upcoming trip to Paris and he told me how much he loved the city. We exchanged all the French words we could think of and talked about the activities he liked to do outdoors. Although I don’t remember the details, he loves swimming in super cold water. He has swum in the Hudson and in the ocean for many miles. He starts by first ‘freezing’ certain veins in his face to get his body use to the 30-40 degree (F) water and then gets his feet and hands cold – then he started swimming. Craziness – I didn’t even know this was possible. My stop came up and I had got it – he quickly took off his cell phone and asked for my number so we could connect later – I said no thank you and left. An awkward ending – good bye stranger.

The MSP Airport: Stranded Strangers – June 2nd

Arriving in MSP this week, I needed my exercise and decided I would walk the concourse instead of taking the train. While walking I had two guys approach me asking how get a cab. I told them I could walk them to the taxi line and did. On the way, I learned that they were stranded in ‘this random city’ on a business trip to Canada. They work for a glass manufacturer – the example they gave me was the type of glass outside of buildings.  I walked them to the MSP taxi line and then walked back to get my luggage. They both asked for my number (in a cute sort of way) – I said no thank you and departed.