How a Wrong Purchase Created Connection
Today, I decided to take the train to Utrecht. For many, nothing special—but for me, it is. I prefer going by car. Then I can go anywhere, be in control of departure times, routes, destinations, adjusting plans, etc.
Public transport, on the other hand, makes me feel limited, especially when something goes wrong. Back when I could travel freely as a student and had all the time in the world, the annual public transport card felt like enormous freedom. I could hop on and off anywhere, no matter the time. And a “wrong destination” simply didn’t exist. Nothing could truly go wrong.
Today, a different experience! I bought a return ticket via the NS app. Then I decided to print it, so I wouldn’t stress about whether my phone battery would last.
In Den Bosch, I transferred trains and sat down next to a young woman, diagonally across from a young man. It was a bit cramped because of the woman’s bag, and I felt as though they would’ve preferred me to sit elsewhere. Anyway. I relaxed as much as I could and nearly fell asleep.
Until—yes, you guessed it—the conductors arrived. I dutifully fished the paper with the QR code out of my bag, along with my ID (driver’s license). I held it up nonchalantly for the conductor to scan, and after a few seconds, we both realized something was off. No beep from the scanner.
“You bought a ticket for tomorrow.”
There it was: I had made a mistake. Huh? Is that even possible? I blurted out. “Oh yes, absolutely.” Fortunately, they were kind and let me decide what I wanted to do for the return journey. They also explained they couldn’t change my ticket in the system to today. No, I understood that—as a former IT person. Interesting, these systems. How they help people, and also limit them.
They had barely walked away when my seatmates started talking to me. How ridiculous this was. And that I had actually paid for it. The man gave me tips on how to buy tickets via the NS app. I had done exactly that. More tips followed. Suddenly, a pleasant conversation emerged about where everyone was headed. The man was going to Amersfoort for a national exam, and he talked about security. When I finally dared to ask the woman about her bag, she told me she was on her way to defend her thesis in Utrecht. So she was nervous.
I stepped off the train feeling cheerful. I chatted a bit more with the man before we went our separate ways. At the station gates, a man in front of me couldn’t get through. He asked someone to help, and she opened the gate for him. Bingo, I thought, because of course my ticket wouldn’t work either. That woman also spoke kindly to me.
Happy and inspired by all this human interaction, I walked out into Utrecht Central. And there I was surprised by a group of women singing—a song I knew! The Prayers of the Mothers by Yael Deckelbaum, about Gaza and Israel, among other things. Singing, I approached them, and one woman explained that they stand there every Wednesday—for 1.5 years already. Wow!
Below is the clip of the translated version they were singing (the original is in Hebrew), in which I also appear 😉.
So, there I was in Utrecht. My lunch hadn’t even begun, and it was already an inspiring day. My lunch was lovely too, and I’m writing this blog now before heading back home. I think I’ll just buy a one-way ticket. I’m still no daredevil. 😉
By the way—the mantra I shared with a friend earlier this week also applies here:
- geld brengt plezier
- money is magical
In this case, I get to spend a bit more (1.5 return tickets) and in return, I experienced connection. My lunch was even paid for. For which I am grateful.
