... the kindness of strangers ...

Oh, Blanche, you were right. They do come through, those strangers.

The flight from LA to Frankfurt was fine. A bit cramped, but nevermind. I was seated between two agreeable gentleman, who, upon learning that I've been known to succumb to bouts of random motion sickness, made certain that I had a neck pillow at all times and plied me with homeopathic jet lag tablets.

One man, a South African, was on business to his family's ranch and wildlife preserve. The other, an Iranian, was on his way to visit his family for their New Year's celebration which began on the first day of Spring. He commented on the unique nature of travel and how he felt a certain kinship with his fellow passengers, however short-lived it may be.