Wow, what a day. Following some annoying minor shenanigans in my building I needed a break. I opted to spend a few days in a place I stayed quite often a few years ago when my life was tumultuous and -often- terrifying.

But it also brought home some incredible memories of meetings with remarkable people during the days when my Parkinson’s would so often trip me up (literally), freeze me in the most awkward situations or shake me to the very core.

Today I needed to run an errand after I’d checked in and for many reasons I could not get my walking going. This resulted in me standing out like a sore thumb with the usual staring no-hopers coming out in full force.

However, I was touched when first a young Indian couple offered to walk me down the hill. Viv from Bangalore put his arm around me and I had a chance to have a chat with him and his pretty girlfriend from Mumbai.

Closer to the hotel a young Aussie guy asked if he could help me. ‘Do you need some water, brother?’ Such a nice bloke. He had a tear in his eye when he said ‘God bless you, brother ..’

Then, upon entering the hotel, a family on holiday helped me to the lift. Later when room service knocked on the door, it took me 5 minutes to answer the door to a lovely Spanish girl who I think understood when I explained in good English and poor Spanish why I can’t always walk (and answer knocked doors in a timely fashion and what have you).

It was good to be out and about on my own in the thick of it. It reminded me of a saying I once heard, A ship is safe in the harbour but ships aren’t made to remain in the harbour.

Life is good.