kindness of strangers

It was a beautiful hotel. The former Union station for St Louis now the Doubletree Hotel was where we stayed for the conference. Once the world's largest and busiest train station, it saw 100,000 passengers a day on 22 different rail lines. What is now the "lobby" features a gold-leafed Grand Hall, Romanesque arches, a 65-foot  barrel-vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows. I spent as much time as I could in that grand lobby soaking in it's beauty and good energy...meaning I felt female energy and much of the motif of the Grand Hall featured female imagery. Later I discovered through some research that the "Grille" restaurant located there just off the Hall, was Fred Harvey's original restaurant that transformed rail dining with the "Harvey Girls."  I guess I was feeling their pioneer energy. St Louis was a beautiful city with very friendly people, and I felt completely at ease. It reminded me of Buffalo in many ways, architecture from the turn of the previous century, remnants of a time now gone, and the residents who remain making their way with the burden of a city infrastructure too big for those who live and work there now.  I made a friend in Robert, the young queen who worked the coffee shop in the lobby. At 5:50 every morning I was in the lobby waiting for him to open. He was very kind and always gave me coffee before he was officially open, and then took my money later, not making me wait for my morning fix. He must recognize that look in people's eyes doing the work that he does.
During my trip I definitely experienced the kindness of strangers, and felt buoyed by it. There is a freedom from self that one can experience when you travel and no one really knows you but accepts you as a stranger anyway. Travel without character baggage. There was an elation in strangers acceptance of me and I was delighted to enjoy it. When I left, Robert who kidded me about the "girls in Detroit" and his knowledge based on viewing Judge Mathis, hugged me when I checked out. This morning, although glad to be home...I am wondering about Robert and his morning, the beautiful girls on the walls ...
Sunday I am traveling to Buffalo for the week .. I am going home to see Kate, and to help Tee with her Ambush party before Pride. I am hoping to get through the week with my good intentions to stay on track with good food choices and exercise. Best way to do that is to plan and prepare. Have to find a place to work out before I get there...staying with Robbie the food choice part will be supported by Robbie and the close location of the food co-op. I also need to stay away from pot while home and I am feeling strong about that. I am focused on how good I will feel when I get back home if I can stay on track, and come home having achieved all of that.