Some years ago, while dining alone in Manhattan, I became intrigued by a conversation, that I couldn't help overhearing, at the next table. A woman was telling a man how she had gone to a far away country as an exchange student and civil war had erupted the day of her arrival; the home in which she was to stay was attacked, before she could finish unpacking; she had to jump out of the window and seek refuge in the wilderness, and she didn't speak the language, wasn't even sure where she was, and had no idea who was on what side... The experience became more and more bizarre as she talked, and it also became obvious that I was listening spellbound, with my jaw on the table. She began to address her conversation to me also, and before I knew it I had joined them at their table. Now that's real New York!
A similar experience happened in California. At the table behind me, I began to overhear a fascinating conversation. An obviously extremely intelligent man was explaining to his wife, an accupuncturist, and to a Benedictine priest from Italy his research into the original documents concerning Jesus. He had translated original texts for himself from ancient Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, and other languages. As he translated these documents he became aware of a powerful persona somewhere within and as the subject of these texts. (I hope I have related his opinion correctly.) Naturally--I turned around and said, "I have got to join this conversation," and moved to their table. All three of them welcomed me. They were delightful. I asked questions, and they sought my opinions. They were all unbelievably courteous and wonderful. I hated to leave them when it was time to go. The man, in fact, was Stephen Mitchell. When his book about Jesus was published, I bought a copy. His translation of the T'ow de Ching is definitive as far as I'm concerned. I've read it countless times.
Wonderful people are everywhere.