This week, I flew back to Vancouver from my exchange trip in Sweden. During the flight, I encountered a stranger – a middle-aged woman with neatly trimmed short hair. Despite wearing glasses, her face did not appear stern. She sat in the middle seat of a three-person row and began a friendly conversation with the passenger on her right. From her accent, she seemed to be from Hong Kong, though I couldn’t be certain.
Our interaction took an interesting turn when she signaled her need to use the restroom. With the classic opening line, “Excuse me,” the auntie initiated the conversation, followed by the famous Chinese phrase, “Do you speak Chinese?” I nodded enthusiastically, wearing a radiant smile on my face. Like the power button in Chinese heritage, hearing this phrase anywhere always felt heartwarming.
The auntie mentioned that the person on her right was asleep, and she wanted to pass through my side. I instinctively turned my head to take a look, and indeed, the woman with short hair, who had introduced herself as almost 40 but looked much younger, was peacefully asleep with her head on the tray table. As I reflect on this moment, I’m unsure of my subconscious intent – was it to confirm the truthfulness of the auntie’s statement, or would I have offered my seat regardless? Either way, I would have made way for her.
Upon her return, the auntie actively engaged me in conversation. She currently resides in California and joined a cruise tour with friends. Learning about my exchange experience, she wished me well and expressed a sense of nostalgia, acknowledging the importance of exploring the world while young – a sentiment that seemed challenging for someone of her age. Our conversation spanned various topics, mainly centered around the experiences of venturing into the outside world.
I sensed that the auntie exuded more vitality and a younger mindset compared to some Chinese women of her age group. Perhaps she is yet to settle down with a family and partner, enjoying the freedom to travel wherever her remaining energy allows. Alternatively, she might have a family but still seizes opportunities to travel with friends – after all, who says moms can’t have a chance to travel with friends?
The specifics of our conversation have faded from memory, and we didn’t exchange names, so I’ll refer to her as “the auntie.” As the plane prepared to land, I pondered the perfect moment to bid farewell. I considered waiting until everyone began disembarking to avoid the awkwardness of sitting post-goodbye. However, the auntie beat me to it.
“Wish you all the best,” she said – the first warmth received during this trip. I thanked her with a smile, expressing hope for a good trip for her. The short-haired woman, despite our lack of interaction during the flight, also bid farewell. Sometimes, the transmission of warmth occurs effortlessly. Though we met for the first time, and it might be the last, the warmth of these two nameless friends lingers. I wish them smooth and safe travels, and as we part ways, I cherish the encounter with these strangers.
