The more you travel the smaller the world becomes. While this might sound oxymoronic, every traveler will find truth in these words. You’ll find yourself running into people who you met three countries ago, or you’ll meet a new person only to discover you have mutual friends. Whether it be random chance or cosmic intervention, these encounters leave us humbled and in awe of the world we live in. It helps us realize that we are all interconnected. Like-minded individuals (in particular travelers) tend to gravitate towards one another.

After a long and frustrating day getting to Switzerland (see When Life Gives You Lemons) Debbie greeted me with a warm smile and a hug. She welcomed me as a long lost family member. Although this was our first time meeting each other, I felt like I’d known her for years. Through family friends I was given Debbie’s information. By random chance I ended up in Switzerland.

While I only had two nights visiting Debbie in Switzerland, those two nights were full of compassion and companionship. It was a much-needed break from the grind of hostel living. There is a sweetness in sleeping in your own dark and quiet room.

Like myself, Debbie is a solo traveler, a wanderer, an explorer. In the 1980’s she biked solo across Europe and opted to camp instead of stay in hostels. She tells amazing stories of her time in communist Prague and Yugoslavia. She met her future husband, a Swiss native, in Colorado where he was studying English. After working as a nurse for the army in Germany, Debbie moved to Switzerland, where she’s been for over 20 years.

Debbie’s compassion is infinite. She spoils me with amazing dinners and delicious Swiss wine. She takes me to Gruyere, a small town up in the mountains where Gruyere cheese originates from. We gorge ourselves in a chocolate factory and relax in a beautiful thermal bath complex overlooking the lush green mountains. She even wakes up at 3 AM to take me to the airport.

Even though I visit Switzerland in December, it is still relatively warm. We drive through drive green vineyards and spend hours talking about anything and everything.

As we go through life people come and go suddenly. Sometimes the ones that affect us the most are the ones who only spend a few days with us. While our time together was brief, I know I have a true friend in a beautiful country. And one day hopefully I can pay it forward, and welcome a solo female traveler into my own home.