October 21, 2004
Oz Kindness
We drove into the national park on the Tasman Peninsula to get to a nice bush walk. I drove our sturdy Ford Falcon around a bend and slightly down the hill toward the beach. Then I felt the tires sink a bit into the soft earth. It only took me a second to realize that I had made a mistake. I had drove us down a hill onto soft sand. I put the car in reverse and just as I feared, the tires spun digging us deeper into the soft sand.
On my travels, I have always remembered the kindness of stangers. I always remember how much small acts of kindness really changed my perception of people. Make no mistake, Americans are not exactly loved throughout the world. As I have talked to people about their experiences, small acts of kindess seem to stand out the most. Small acts of kindness make up for lots of arrogant nationalistic boasting and change opinions. Like it or not, we are ambassadors of our country when we travel, and there are alot of “ugly” travelers making a poor reputation for our country.
Erica and I sat in the car as I tried to get us out of our sinking sand trap. I tried foreward then reverse again and only succeded in sinking us further into the sand. Just as I was starting to panic and wonder how I was going to get a tow truck to come all the way out to the center of the national park, it was the kindness of aussie strangers to the rescue. A nice fellow walked up past the car from the beach. “No worries,” he declared. Might as well get out of the car and enjoy the view while you’re here he reminded. Then more aussies came down from their campsites to give us a hand. A 4×4 truck pulled up and attached a winch to our car and pulled us gently out of sand trap. No worries and don’t feel embarassed they reminded me. Lots of people get stuck here the remarked.
On my travles I won’t forget that a bit of kindness goes along way. If I can give a little kindess then it is well worth the effort.
Posted by at 02:23 am
That is so wonderful. What a great reminder of the difference small kindnesses can make.Mary () (URL) - October 21, 2004 at 6:01 pm
So good to hear! Glad it worked out…what nice people. I’ll keep that advice in mind about being an American ambassador :)corrine () - October 22, 2004 at 04:43 am
Let’s keep in mind the bigger picture…Rob, perhaps from now on you should let Erica drive!
Steve () - October 31, 2004 at 2:59 pm
