Perception.

Had a great day wandering around the market in L'Isle sur la Sorgue.

It was a short train ride there, and was spectacularly beautiful and quaint. They sold everything from fresh-baked macaroons, to table linens and moving pieces of art. Of course, spices and fresh produce were also abundant, and women's clothing stalls were everywhere. 

Weird tomatoes.

Well, apparently since we had done such a nice thing, the family next to us (who had helped us with talking to the waitress), paid for our meal! They said they did that because we had been so nice! That was a surprise! Not really knowing what to do except thank them, I gave them my card and told them to give me a call if they ever visited the States.

Four hours later, we were walking around, lost and tired with relatively heavy shopping bags. Realizing we had missed the train, and had a little over an hour to kill, we started wandering around the village again, and got lost. We were worried that we were going to miss the next train back to Avignon and started panicking slightly.

Unable to speak French, we found out that even the cops had given the wrong directions.

Panicking slightly, we flagged down a car on the road we were walking on. Pointing to the map, we asked them where the train station was. After determining they knew what exactly we were asking them, they told us to get into their car. They would take us there!

We gratefully excepted, squeezing into their compact European car with their son in his car seat. He couldn't have been more 2 or 3 years old. He must have been wonderding what the heck two random Asians were doing with him in the car. A few minutes later, they dropped us off at the station and drove off.

Would I have done that if I had been approached in a similar situation. I'd like to think I would have, but would I be too afraid, too wary?

A lot of the time, I think we view the world as an evil and cruel place, where people can't be trusted. Watching the news and reading the papers, it certainly seems that way. But, I think somethings it behooves us to think the best of people, to see them as good and caring, always willing to help out another person. Of course, if you feel uneasy or someone is pointing a knife at ou, there's no harm in thinking ill or fear then.

But, I think altruism can exist. It must exist. It is on that foundation that we are able to build a just and moral world. There are those who do good because it is the right thing to do. No questions asked.
Those two families today taught me a few lessons, among them gratitude, generosity, trust and kindness. When they saw something they felt was right, they were grateful and generous. When the other family saw someone in need, they helped without suspicion or wanting recognition. They helped because they wanted to.

The memories of our trip will eventually fade. I don't know the names of any of those people, but the lessons they taught me today will forever be imprinted on my mind and in my heart.