I treat myself two or three times a month with burger and fries at In ‘N Out Burger. I asked for it to be prepared “animal style” and have the fries slightly well done, what a yummy treat! I usually use the drive through and take it home and enjoy it in the peace of my own home, maybe sitting outside in the sun…

This visit I decided to go in and eat, just to change things up. As always it was busy inside but not packed. As I was waiting for my yummy treat to be made I spotted a guy just finishing up his burger and he politely gave the table a quick wipe and he left, so I walked over there and put down my napkin and ketchup, it was one of those tables that could seat four, but there is a very narrow dividing line down the middle so it could be used for more than one party also.

While I was sitting and waiting a group of young people came in, they looked like tourists, and because of the tables that were available they had to split up. Two beautiful young girls walked over where I was sitting and looked at seats available next to me and I invited them to sit down.

There was was another indication that they were tourists. I had seen or noticed several locals that had their receipt in their hand waiting for their hamburgers and they were eyeballing tables and I thought to myself somebody will probably come over and ask if they can use half of my table, but they were either uncomfortable or didn’t have the courage to ask, or whatever it is that keeps us from doing things like that. Anyway these two young girls had the courage, they walked right up indicated the table I was at and I said it was available and they sat down.

I love meeting new people and I was excited to have a little dialogue and just as I turned my attention towards them they both pulled out their cell phones, and started to do, well, whatever they do. They did have some dialogue back and forth which was not English and so I began to wonder if they did speak English, I was still interested in talking to them.

My number was called, I went and got my burger and sat down at the table and thoroughly enjoyed my hamburger and fries. The two girls had put their cell phones down and were talking between themselves, they were soft-spoken and gentle. Now that their cell phones were down I thought this might be a good opportunity to ask if they spoke English but I didn’t necessarily want to do that with a big bite of hamburger in my mouth and a juicy burger in my hands so we continued in silence, I finished my burger and fries – very yummy. I wiped my hands and right then their number was called and they got their burgers too. Now that they were engaged in eating I thought ”oh man” shucks , did I lose my opportunity? Still wiping my hands and I hear this lovely little voice say ”hi” and I turned and it was the young girl next to me, smiling brightly, cheerfully full of life and excitement.

So I said ”hi” and asked do you speak English? They said yes, so I found out they were from Singapore, in 11th grade, traveling with a teacher from their school on some type of school trip and thoroughly enjoying summer in Southern California! They had been to Disneyland and the day I met them they were on their way to Universal Studios and then the next day they were going to go down to Sea World in San Diego and after that fly to Washington DC.

They were excited about some of the questions I asked, and I made them giggle a little bit, which is so pleasant to hear. It broke the ice so the conversation could develop a little bit. I asked if they had boyfriends back home, talk about more giggling!

I asked if the girls were writing in a diary or making some notes about their travels so far from home, one of the girls brightened up and said that she journals every day. She seemed to really enjoy the idea of having some memoirs.

I had just driven up from San Diego to the Studio City area and sometimes that drive can be a little but challenging and all of that melted away having the conversation with these two lovely young girls so interested in life’s adventures  – I’m so glad that they asked if they could sit at the table I was at. I’m sure the easy conversation let them relax so they could enjoy their American hamburger, and I felt so lucky and blessed to have that very enlightening interaction with them.

I hope all of their interactions with the people they meet on their trip here to the United States are pleasant, rewarding and uplifting for them.

I tried to imagine myself visiting their country, and I wondered, would I have the courage to walk up and ask to sit at a table with strangers, or would I be intimidated by that?

What a wonderful lesson I learned from those young girls, to me it was ”have the courage to enjoy life”.

Thanks girls.

When they broke the ice, when the one next to me said that first hello as I said earlier, I could see her beaming with excitement and I know when our conversation began that it relieved a little anxiety they may have had. I hope this enabled them to enjoy their burgers so I know they were blessed, and I truly felt blessed at the chance meeting,

So that makes me ponder, who is more blessed? Two young girls who find a place to sit and enjoy a meal and get to share their traveling experiences with a interested polite local? Or is it me being taught some of life’s wonderful lessons by two beautiful girls traveling from a different country, or is it the supreme travel guide that brought us together that is more blessed?