by Tao, Brattleboro, VT

Now that we have the vibe down here in Brattleboro, I’m trying to feel the Tao of things here. One of the things I’m noticing here is that EVERYONE IS REALLY REALLY FRIENDLY. If someone bumps you in line at the coffee counter, they don’t just say, “‘cuse me” and look away, but they will most likely put their hand on your arm, look you in the eye and exclaim, “I bumped right into you - I’m so sorry!” Then you get to tell them how very much you didn’t mind that you were bumped and you both smile and say something about the good coffee that this place serves.

Yesterday, I stopped for gas at the edge of town and found what could very well be the last surviving full-service station. I was confused at first and had to make sure the attendant actually meant to pump my gas for me. Indeed, he did, and with a huge smile included. So, just because I could, I said, “Fill ‘er up, then!”. I watched as he gracefully moved from one car to another, smiling and filling tanks - it almost looked like a dance. I tried to go inside to pay by credit card, but he insisted he would take it in for me. When he returned, I asked him if I was supposed to tip him (this was all new to me, what can I say?) He gave me another smile and shrugged his shoulders. I laughed, dug in my bag and pulled out a few bucks. Who knew you could have so much fun at a gas station?

This same day, I was sitting outside the food co-op, having a rather intense phone conversation with a friend and carelessly had moved to a bench and left my bag on the ground. At least 20 minutes later, I discovered what I had done. The bag, holding my camera, among other things, was gone and I was pretty bummed. Not truly convinced there was much hope, I decided to ask inside the co-op if anyone had found my bag. The woman behind the counter pulled it out with a big smile and told me the person had tried calling the phone number on the camera. I expressed my relief and went outside to call the number to thank the finder profusely for both making my day and confirming my faith in people. He seemed to shrug it off as he told me he recognized my area code and that he once had a girlfriend from NC. We then had a pleasant conversation about where I lived and where she lived…and a few more things, like the weather, or something like that, before we wished each other well and hung up.

Then there’s this unusal intersection. It happens to be the busiest, most precarious area in downtown,  but for some reason, it has no stop or yeild signs of any kind. Instead, there just seems to be this strange, unspoken courtesy that carries everyone through safely. I’ve been in this spot often this week and it’s no longer scary at all - in fact, it feels simple and calm, despite the fact that almost no-one comes to a complete stop as they take turns crossing in all directions. I found the same, “I see you, or, here I come” attitude at a one-lane bridge I have to go across each day. It somehow works - and there’s lots of waving and smiling along the way.

Have a nice day! Tao