In a train station waiting on our new friends to arrive to go on an adventure together. North African culture is very different than what we in the states are used to. Meaning, there is not really a concept of time. They say they will meet you at 2 and they don’t arrive until 4. Which really is no big deal but when you have to go to the restroom and the only way to use the facilities is purchasing a ticket but you can’t because you are waiting on your friends who may show up whenever, there is a glimpse of kindness.
Let me explain.
I’m walking around the station searching for the toilets. I’m denied use of the restaurant ones and then sent off. I’m wandering around in my North African dress bearing my white legs for the first time since Spain. In short, I stand out like a rainbow in the midst of a cloudy sky or like a really white lady wearing bright clothes in the midst of conservatively dressed North Africans. I soon give up and take a seat by my friends. Then the kindness: a cleaning lady who apparently had been observing the situation comes up and very kindly points me in the way of the toilets (I say toilets because that’s what they are called here. You say restroom and people give you odd looks.) I say “thank you” very kindly but knowing I can’t use them until I purchase a ticket and she moves as I continue to sit.
As I tried to explain before, we are waiting on our friends to arrive at the station before we can purchase the tickets because people here take there time getting around and we had originally agreed to meet at 11 and it’s now 12:30. All that to say, we don’t know when they will show their beautiful faces. So we wait. And people watch. A bit later, the same dear lady comes up with a key and communicates to me to follow here. She unlocks a door and ushers me through to the toilets. Wow. So kind.
I’m blown away.
I make my way into the women’s toilet where I see another cleaning lady mopping the floor. I give her a look that says I want to respect you cleaning this floor but man I gotta go. As if she totally understands me, she signals for me to come in and use the toilet. I smile and then relieve myself. (Sorry. The hammam has changed me.)
I am washing my hands and I hear “madmoizelle.” I look and the original lady gives me a smile and thumbs up.
I smile back and place my hand over my heart (a gesture they use here frequently that says that what they are saying is filled with love and deep meaning).
Wow. So kind.
Random acts of kindness. Even the smallest of gestures can mean so much to someone. Keep your eyes up, your heart open, and be ready and willing to love people even in the smallest of ways.
