Today I had two unexpected interactions while running errands. The first occurred when I was heading back to work from a break. I encountered a swim mate from the city’s Master’s swimming club. He was heading to the University’s gymnasium. I was heading back to work. We were both surprised we shared a secondary affiliation on the other side of the river –him as a PhD student, myself as an alumnus and now staff. We were interested in hearing each other’s areas of study: he was studying physics, while I was studying conservation of buildings. My mind was trying to find common areas of interest. We both seemed desperate to carve more time from the serendipitous moment of two people having a conversation in a busy sidewalk. I think were both trying to escape the drudgery of everyday life.
The second unexpected interaction occurred on my way home after work. I was waiting at the City Hall station for the underground train. In the crowd of everyday Philadelphians, I stumbled upon a friend who was heading north for volleyball practice. He had joined the competitive and social league. He asked me how was my apartment painting going. I replied with details about the project.
Both serendipitous interactions added color to what would have otherwise been a gray boring day. Such are the joys of making friends and encountering them in the most unexpected places.