Today I made the trip from Amsterdam to Utrecht, it take about 25 minutes by train. No troubles with public transport today. When I arrived there was a market in the town square so I took the chance to buy some local apples and a thick slice of local Gouda cheese. There was only one ingredient lacking, really nice bread.
So, I asked the cheese man for directions to the best bread shop in Utrecht ... 15 minutes later I had a beautiful loaf of olive bread to go with my cheese. Spotting a seat under the shade of a magnificent chestnut tree I decided to share its cover with another guy enjoying its splendor. The bread was fantastic, so was the cheese but before long I became quite full. I looked over to the guy sitting nearby. He was a young guy, maybe late 20s, long black hair, dark clothes with a small backpack in hand and what looked to be a rolled up tarp or tent. He was unassuming, introverted and probably homeless. Realising the guy probably didn't have any form of nourishment on hand, other than a bottle of water and a packet of cigarettes ... I called out "Excuse me ...[no response], excuse me." He looked over. "Would you like some cheese and bread? I am already full." Without hesitation he politely responded with a confident "yes", I handed it over and said "it's best eaten fresh", perhaps partly my justification for not holding onto it until tomorrow, but what else did I have to say to this helpless stranger. He responded by looking down at his basic clothes, his small back pack and tent ... as if to say, this is it, this is all I have, I don't care.
He sat back down, holding the bread and cheese in his hand, then looked back over and gave the most gracious smile I have ever seen ... truly moved and truly happy. He looked like he had won the lottery. I picked up my backpack, only a little big bigger than his and simply said "No worries mate" before continuing on my way.
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