The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
A Place to Tie Your Wishes: Affection and Cargo
A line of tour buses waited outside the leather goods store. As tourists wandered in to admire coats and boots despite the 100 degree heat, their drivers scattered out–smoking, standing in the shade, chatting with their hands behind their backs, pacing in small a circles. In the middle of the line, a bus had the luggage area wide open on both sides. There were no suitcases below, so with the doors ajar a breeze rushed the hollow space. It created a convenient location to make a bed. The driver slept on his side, turned toward the road, with his palms together and tucked under his head, like a caricature of a sleeping child. His wife sat up on the other side, away from the dust of the road, but she wasn’t yet ready to rest.
She peered at him from over his shoulder. He was red-faced with an expansive belly, and her locked gaze displayed only tenderness. She reached out and hesitated. Her hand moved to smooth what was swept up by the wind of a passing car, but she paused and watched him breathe. Eventually, she surrendered to touching him on the shoulder lightly before leaning back. She arranged a pillow or two, propping herself up to watch the rise and fall of his ribs, already pleased to find herself in the middle of a nice dream.
–Selcuk, Turkey
Meryem Ana Evi. Near the House of the Virgin Mary. My admittedly rough translation: A place to tie your wishes.
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
What beautiful images come to mind. Thank you.
Completely loving, and lovely, bonding images this evokes! Bless you!
Thanks! The bus nap caught my attention, but the woman really made me smile. I appreciate you reading the blog!
Selcuk is such an interesting place with such friendly people. I was treated like a princess there. They become your friend so fast. It is all based on history 🙂 I heard so much!
Greetings from Philadelphia, USA! I’ve just nominated you for “Inspiring Blog Award” and “One Lovely Blog Award.” 🙂 You may choose to pass along the fun by giving me a shout-out, then stating 7 facts about yourself and nominating 15 bloggers whom you find inspiring. Here’s where you can find my post nominating you: http://iridescently.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/blog-awards/
Best,
Gina Marie
Reblogged this on The Nice Thing About Strangers and commented:
Happy Monday! 🙂