I went to Toronto to attend the Iyengar Yoga Forum, “Practice as Therapy,” from April 23 to April 27.
It was my first time flying to Toronto by myself. Toronto is three hours ahead, so I tried to sleep on the flight, but it was difficult.
Toronto Pearson Airport was huge, so I followed the signs and checked Google Maps, but I still wasn’t sure where the train station was. I used to be a tour guide in Las Vegas, so I knew it would be better to ask someone who worked at the airport.
First, I asked an airport assistant how to get to the UP Express. He kindly took me all the way to the train entrance. I was lucky to meet such a wonderful attendant.
Toronto’s transportation system was great, like Tokyo’s. It was very convenient to use my credit card on all the trains and buses.
I was tired, but after registration I did Pune practice, and it helped me recover my energy.
I met some teachers from BC and other provinces. The organizers and presenting teachers were wonderful. I was inspired by every class. The Q&A session on the last day was interesting too. Many people spoke both English and French, so people helped each other translate between the two languages. My brain was definitely very stimulated.
When I returned to Toronto Pearson Airport, I asked someone at the train station to double-check the right direction for me. I followed the signs, but something didn’t feel right, so I looked around. A lady who was talking on the phone suddenly turned toward me and asked, “Can I help you?”
She told me that I had missed the entrance and needed to go downstairs.
Again, I was lucky to receive unexpected kindness.
When my train arrived, I tried to put my suitcase in the luggage area. A gentleman helped by holding up the lever bar so I could place my luggage more easily. He even helped me again when I got off the train.
Traveling by myself gave me many opportunities to feel kindness from strangers.
My flight had a layover at Calgary Airport, so I walked around the gates to stretch my legs and knees. When boarding was announced, a man who didn’t speak English showed me his boarding passes. He only said, “Vancouver,” “Hanoi,” and “Taipei.”
I asked him a few questions, but he couldn’t understand me. Since he had the same boarding pass as mine for the Vancouver flight, I checked his zone and seat number, then guided him onto the airplane.
After we landed at YVR (Vancouver Airport), he still stayed close to me. At first, I thought his family might be meeting him in Vancouver, but he again said, “Hanoi” and “Taipei.” I realized he still had two more boarding passes.
I explained the situation to an airline agent and showed her his next boarding pass. After finding his next gate, I walked him to the security checkpoint. I told him that I couldn’t go through security with him and pointed toward Gate D.
He became a little emotional and thanked me with gestures.
I guessed he thought I might speak his language because I am Asian.
I still struggle with English sometimes and have experienced difficult moments overseas myself, so I understood how he felt.
I had met many kind people during this trip, so it felt like my turn to help someone else.
I hope he arrived safely in Taipei.
Traveling gives us chances to experience unexpected things and connect with people.
That’s why I love it.