entry 5: how are we connected throughout the world?

Question credited to Josh Fess.

A few hours later that day

My friend Josh is working on a capstone project focused on this question. Josh and I have been on two service trips together in Nicaragua and Ethiopia. He reached out to those of us who he knows have traveled for feedback to his question. After sitting with it for a day, I've come up with the answer of compassion. His question and my answer inspired me to share this story with all of you.

On Brittney's and my first day in Thailand last May we had plans to go to one of the "floating" markets. Floating is in quotes because this one was mainly on solid ground but surrounded by water. We were all hyped to try street food for breakfast before we hopped on the bus to the market. So we stopped at a stand to get pineapple smoothies. Now, we thought we had been extra careful since we made sure to check that she was using bottled water in the smoothie. That being said, there was also ice which we didn't think about as thoroughly.

We both started drinking our smoothies, and they were fantastic. Super fresh! Brittney drank her entire smoothie with no issues, but about a third of the way through mine I started to feel unwell. I didn't make the connection that it was probably the smoothie that was affecting me, but I switched to water anyway. The bus ride was rough. It was hot, obviously, and stuffy, and my stomach was twisting and turning. When we got off the bus, we stopped in a 7Eleven. They're everywhere in Thailand. We got some crackers and boxed apple juice for me to munch on in hopes of soothing my stomach. We sat in the shade by the water while I ate and recovered. I was good to go!

We walked around the market for a bit, and as we approached one section with a lot of fish being cooked I knew I was going to vomit. I turned around, found a ledge, and squatted down. I vomited up neon green liquid, like what? It was rough. It went on for a couple minutes. Finally, it stopped. There was an old Thai women standing next to me. She didn't speak any English, but she had clearly witnessed what just happened. She began to rub a menthol balm on to my temples and under my nose. Immediately, I perked up. I said thank you, she nodded, and then she walked away. For the rest of the day I was fine.

What struck me about this moment was this woman's compassion. She had no idea who I was. I clearly wasn't from there. And yet, she was still ready to help me because she saw that I was in need.

This woman is the quintessential answer to the question that Josh posed. What connects us? Compassion. Seeing someone in need and helping them. Caring for those who are suffering. This woman was like a magical creature appearing from no where and disappearing immediately after. Thanks to her, and probably some of the puking, I was able to continue my day and do everything we wanted to do. Thank you magical lady, for helping me and for the lesson.