I can think of a few times I've traveled to a city for a spontaneous visit and randomly run into someone I hadn't seen for a decade or more. It's almost expected now.
I remember bumping into a woman I'd known in Tenerife but lost contact with while on the London underground a couple of years later. It almost changed my life.
My dad used to do this consistently wherever he went. He was a doctor and would always seem to bump into ex-colleagues or ex-patients wherever he was in the world. I did it just once. Met my sister-in-laws brother in a dreadful Brits-on-the-piss resort in Greece in about 1993. We still have the photo - which I'll refrain from uploading ;-)
I think I would be too freaked out by someone geo locating me that was to make any connection! 🤣These friendships seem great though. I'm a jealous introvert looking through that window from outside.
Wonderful post, Kristi! I would think that showing others ways to travel (when they didn't think they could) would be an awesome way to help others enjoy the kind of life that you experienced. Great idea!
My ex used to run into people no matter where in the country we were. I'm sure I would have run into more of my own if I wasn't an introvert who sometimes avoids eye contact. 😆 Anyway, great points here about building connection with your audience! I love how it spilled into the "real world" for you.
I'm much, much better than I used to be—only "sometimes" avoids eye contact, see? 😆 (And a ton of people have scoffed, "You're not an introvert!") But anyway you're right, never know what opportunities might be starting at you. Sounds like you've done a great job recognizing them!
I was in Panama City Beach sailing for the first time. My roommate and I were having a blast when we found out her ex-husband and his roommates were next door. We ended up partying together and had a blast. That was 35 years ago.
Love this. I do believe there is no such thing as coincidence. I want to see a pic of the Polish mug. That is so sweet that this adorable couple thought, Hey, instead of bringing back gifts for our family, let’s bring mugs to the new people we meet.
You inspire me to have courage, Kristi. Your stories make the world less frightening and more encouraging and hopeful for me.
Please keep sharing your adventures!! (Sorry, no random coincidental encounters, unless you count the dozen or so turkey buzzards congregated on the balcony of our VRBO in Orlando. 🦃 🤷♀️)
Your comment made my entire day!! The fact that what I came here to do is WORKING means everything to me! Helping people find their "wild" even if it's a small bit of something wild...such as turkey buzzards 😂😂
Wow, I did not realize your travel blog niche was Jamaica!!! You must really know the island. My husband’s family is from the island so we have had some adventures visiting family up in the ‘country’. 😂
sitting in our rented condo having a relaxing read, my husband was on the deck. It was dark. People walk by. Turned out it was our neighbours who used to live across the street from us until they moved to the coast a few years prior. If he wouldn’t have been sitting out there we may never have connected even though we were all staying in the same building.
I love the synchronicities you’ve written about and the human connection and what your blog has meant to people around the world!
Kristi, I await with joyful anticipation the day when you and I run into each other, anywhere in the world, while doing drunken karaoke (is there any other kind?).
I remember visiting my aunt in another state and my brother looked out the back door and saw a kid that used to live in our neighborhood who moved to a completely different state visiting his family. It was a great little reunion.
I can think of a few times I've traveled to a city for a spontaneous visit and randomly run into someone I hadn't seen for a decade or more. It's almost expected now.
It's such a world-shrinking phenomenon, isn't it?
Great post!
I remember bumping into a woman I'd known in Tenerife but lost contact with while on the London underground a couple of years later. It almost changed my life.
I love that! And people say fate doesn't exist.
My dad used to do this consistently wherever he went. He was a doctor and would always seem to bump into ex-colleagues or ex-patients wherever he was in the world. I did it just once. Met my sister-in-laws brother in a dreadful Brits-on-the-piss resort in Greece in about 1993. We still have the photo - which I'll refrain from uploading ;-)
Can't seem to edit in my missed apostrophe. Ah well.
Hahaha that's awesome Simon! Sure makes the world seem like a small place.
I think I would be too freaked out by someone geo locating me that was to make any connection! 🤣These friendships seem great though. I'm a jealous introvert looking through that window from outside.
Oh make no mistake, I'm a total introvert as well, but I do love people. And I love how the world works in such mysterious ways. Always a puzzle.
Wonderful post, Kristi! I would think that showing others ways to travel (when they didn't think they could) would be an awesome way to help others enjoy the kind of life that you experienced. Great idea!
My ex used to run into people no matter where in the country we were. I'm sure I would have run into more of my own if I wasn't an introvert who sometimes avoids eye contact. 😆 Anyway, great points here about building connection with your audience! I love how it spilled into the "real world" for you.
Lol you should look up once in a while! Never know what opportunities might be staring at you! 😁
I'm much, much better than I used to be—only "sometimes" avoids eye contact, see? 😆 (And a ton of people have scoffed, "You're not an introvert!") But anyway you're right, never know what opportunities might be starting at you. Sounds like you've done a great job recognizing them!
I was in Panama City Beach sailing for the first time. My roommate and I were having a blast when we found out her ex-husband and his roommates were next door. We ended up partying together and had a blast. That was 35 years ago.
Wow, that's so coincidental. Good thing she was friends with her ex, huh? 😁
Yes or it could have been miserable
As someone who is hoping to do what you did, I’m here for what you have cooking!!
That's awesome! It makes me more motivated to work faster 😁
Love this. I do believe there is no such thing as coincidence. I want to see a pic of the Polish mug. That is so sweet that this adorable couple thought, Hey, instead of bringing back gifts for our family, let’s bring mugs to the new people we meet.
Can we attach pics to these comments? I wish we could. I'll tag you in a note with a pic.
And yes, I thought it was super sweet as well! Who brings gifts TO vacation? Most people bring them home FROM.
You inspire me to have courage, Kristi. Your stories make the world less frightening and more encouraging and hopeful for me.
Please keep sharing your adventures!! (Sorry, no random coincidental encounters, unless you count the dozen or so turkey buzzards congregated on the balcony of our VRBO in Orlando. 🦃 🤷♀️)
Your comment made my entire day!! The fact that what I came here to do is WORKING means everything to me! Helping people find their "wild" even if it's a small bit of something wild...such as turkey buzzards 😂😂
Thank you Jennifer ♥
Wow, I did not realize your travel blog niche was Jamaica!!! You must really know the island. My husband’s family is from the island so we have had some adventures visiting family up in the ‘country’. 😂
One evening in Mexico (copying your lead🙂)...
sitting in our rented condo having a relaxing read, my husband was on the deck. It was dark. People walk by. Turned out it was our neighbours who used to live across the street from us until they moved to the coast a few years prior. If he wouldn’t have been sitting out there we may never have connected even though we were all staying in the same building.
I love the synchronicities you’ve written about and the human connection and what your blog has meant to people around the world!
That's amazing! I always say "What are the chances" but it seems chances are often pretty good. It's so cool how the world can be so big yet so small.
I know! It really is amazing.
Kristi, I await with joyful anticipation the day when you and I run into each other, anywhere in the world, while doing drunken karaoke (is there any other kind?).
😂😂 I laughed out loud at this comment!! That would be the best ever! Fact: I would never get on a stage without at least a few drinks.
Tbh, if I met someone I knew, I’d hide from them. But you make it sound so wonderful.
I had a great time reading this, hope it makes me more adventurous!
My dad could be in an airport anywhere in the world and run into someone he knows!
Hahaha no way! Either he knows a LOT of people or he's a lucky guy!
The mining industry is small and they all travel a lot! but yes :)
I remember visiting my aunt in another state and my brother looked out the back door and saw a kid that used to live in our neighborhood who moved to a completely different state visiting his family. It was a great little reunion.
Unexpected reunions are awesome! What a small world 🌎