What's the best unexpected gift you have received while travelling?

[Fergo747]

Bottle of Tattinger CdC (2004 I believe) from QF F as I disembarked at LAX (travelling J) circa 2012

 

[flyingfan]

Been thinking harder about this as I'm sure I've received something else in my travels. Some of these stories are amazing, that's what travel's all about!

This is the best I can do so far. Went to Canberra (by car!), it was +1's first time there ever. We went to the War Memorial. We didn't join a tour but one of the guides started talking to us. He explained the exhibits and ended up taking us around much of the memorial. It was essentially our own private tour. Small but much appreciated.

 

[Brissy1]

I am drinking it on Sunday for my birthday.

Happy birthday!

 

[HokitikaGold]

SE Senegal, a few years ago. Truly the middle of nowhere. Had not seen another fair-skinned person in days.

Check in to a small "hotel" on the Gambie River near Kedougou. Almost deserted, "off season" (as though there is an "on season" here) I do not speak french. I do not speak whatever local languages. After days of hard work I went to their restaurant (empty) and managed to order dinner (had no idea what I was ordering but I was starving - turned out to be meat and chips in glorious french fashion. ) The only other activity in the deserted restaurant was a large table that was assembled by the staff - and soon enough there were a dozen french-speaking people there. I was bored, alone, and somewhat lost. After I finished my meal in solitude (and after a bottle of very-well priced red wine) I saw that there was a spare seat at the table of that group. I approached them, hesitantly, and explained that I did not speak french, but would love to just sit with them and listen. It turned out that the table held the owner of the hotel. And he, and some others, spoke some english. They immediately insisted that I join them, and I spent the next many hours being bombarded by generosity and care.

I sensed that they were as aware as I was that they were fish out of water, in a far away place, and understood my isolation. I have never, in all my many travels, experienced such a wonderful gift of companionship and sheer generosity. They plied me with conversation and drinks the entire evening. Fundamentally changed many views I had held about "the French". Not just a wonderful evening, but life-changing for me in my views.

So, in the scope of this thread, the best unexpected gift I have ever received whilst travelling, it is companionship. Sheer human compassion and acknowledgement. From total strangers.

 

[jenib]

I was flying to the US in J on QF on the A380 for work right after an upsetting turn in my life. At the gate, I got the red light and then was given a new boarding pass to F (seat 1K). I don't know why but I suspect the check-in agent could see that something upsetting had happened. The FA was brilliant and was very keen to give me a full degustation menu complete with a different wine for every course. I couldn't finish all the wine but the meal was brilliant and I slept well

Another time on a RTW trip for work I received a can of Canadian maple syrup from a Canadian colleague. It was interesting and I appreciated it but we then traveled to 5 different US cities and at every single stop our bags had been opened and checked by the US TSA and note left. So at each destination, everything had been reorganised. I guess they wanted to check what this metal object with a semi-liquid content was. By the time we finally got home, the can had a dent in it. It was still a nice present though

 

[Black Duck]

On my first trip to South Korea 10 years ago, I was taking a break on a gallery visit and sitting quietly on a bench wrapped around a large column. There was quite a large group of children around and several came to sit on the same bench. A boy of about 10 or 12 sat fairly near to me. We just smiled at each other - neither having enough of a common language. Anyway after sitting for about 10 minutes he reached into his backpack and brought out a korean rice cake, the type covered in nuts and all nicely wrapped,. He handed it to me and left. All I had time to do was smile at him and nod my thanks. It was delicious.

Whenever I go to South Korea I find I am on the receiving end of lovely small gifts of time or help. Always people stop to see if you need directions and if so they usually accompany you until they are sure you can see where you are going. If they can't take you themselves they will 'pass you on' to someone further along the street. While this still does happen in Seoul it is far more common in the countryside.

Another day I was sitting in the back of my friend's car while stopped in the middle of a street. She had dashed into a shop. There was a street truck with a man selling popped rice cakes. He had a machine on the back of the truck making them. I was watching the making which I find fascinating when the man smiled and came over and pushed a handful of the rice cakes through the window.

These are the small things from strangers who I will never see again. I always carry small gifts in my pocket now to have a little something to say thank you. However that can backfire as its impossible to outgift a Korean. They will always get in an extra gift. Gets even trickier with people you know better.

 

[Seat0B]

However that can backfire as its impossible to outgift a Korean.

I've found the same with Japanese people, people from the Arabic cultures and also Germans. I too now carry a stock of little gifts to say thank you to people who generously help me in my travels - with the most popular being Caramello koalas (if I'm not travelling somewhere too hot) and those little cling-on koalas that you buy at the $2 shop.

 

[Black Duck]

I've found the same with Japanese people, people from the Arabic cultures and also Germans. I too now carry a stock of little gifts to say thank you to people who generously help me in my travels - with the most popular being Caramello koalas (if I'm not travelling somewhere too hot) and those little cling-on koalas that you buy at the $2 shop.

Yes I carry those as well now. I also take a range of small things that have indigenous art patterns (sourced from an appropriate supplier) as well as australian "animal" souvenirs like notepads for kids. I also take some badges and fridge magnets from an artist in Perth who does some great wildflowers. They have been well received in S Korea particularly. I seem to have a bag full of stuff!

On gifts received with more significance - my travels in SK are wrapped up in my work/life - not the normal sort of work people go for as I am an artist. I had a wonderful mentor there who passed away. A couple of years later I was introduced to one of his friends who wanted me to have an out of print book from his collection that was on the historical period that had been a big influence in my mentors work. He said he would get it to me. This would break up the set of books it came from! I expressed my thanks but tried to decline. A week later he sought me out and made sure I had that book. It is both beautiful and useful. I think the only way to repay that sort of thing is by making the best use of the gift that I possibly can.

 

[Seat0B]

It is both beautiful and useful. I think the only way to repay that sort of thing is by making the best use of the gift that I possibly can.

What a truly beautiful sentiment @Black Duck. A fitting tribute to your mentor and the intention of the gift.

 

[VPS]

I always travel with Australian keyrings and koalas and other Aussie things and it's amazing how delighted people are to receive them

 

[p--and--t]

when travelling overseas I always take a pack or two of clip-on koalas and hand one clip out to anyone who gives that little bit extra.

I have seen them really appreciated & treasured by coach drivers, tour guides, hotel staff etc in various countries of the world. Simple inexpensive but unique and a chance to show thanks.

 

[Milboo]

Flying to South Africa about 6 years ago - in Y and was my birthday. Mid flight and in darkness I went to the galley as I was hungry and wanted a snack. I was greeted by name and told they’d bring something to me.

And then turned up with a birthday cake and mimosas. Not the best timing and didn’t feel like sweet food but a gorgeous gesture.

Never quite figured out who’d organised it!

 

[MARTINE]

In France 5 years ago, my husband and I had a brilliant tour with guide Olivier - Chemins d'Histoire Battlefield tours. We provided background information of our relative (who died in WW1 but body never found).
Olivier found the memorial of our relative, provided excellent insight and detail that brought history to life. As we were leaving the beautiful Australian War memorial near Villiers Bretonneux he had arranged for us to meet a French military service rep. The man wanted to say to us - once again - how grateful France was(is) for our efforts in the war. He presented us with a book of history in the region. It was touching to say the least.

 

[ayebee]

My dark sense of humour has sometimes not worked well.

This was Feb 1998, and I had finished my work commitments earlier than expected and was in 1A on a sparsely populated Ansett lunchtime flight SYD-MEL.
The lunch offered was clearly overcooked before it had been loaded on the flight, so in no way the cabin crew were responsible, but I made an attempt at humour saying I had enjoyed the "immolated beef".
I was mortified to see the flight attendant did not get the joke.
About to disembark in Melbourne I was presented with a tissue wrapped bottle of the red wine and an apology. With people lining up behind there is not a lot of time to clarify, but I accepted the wine and headed off into the sunset, and feeling a bit uneasy over the incident ever since.

So, belated apologies and thanks to that cabin crew for an undeserved but lovely gift after I was perceived as a grumpy and entitled "customer".


To compensate, my random act of kindness ...
In July 2012, on business in Paris.
In the metro station near Gare du Nord, I queued to buy metro tickets, behind a couple of guys (in deep conversation) from UK.
Got to the ticket machine and started the process, but it wasn't working so well. Discovered the reason was that the last guy had left his credit card in the slot. Looked around and they had disappeared and I had no idea where they went.
I got my tickets and then thought about what to do with the credit card.
Obvious option was to hand in to the station staff but was not confident the right thing would be done, so I put it in my pocket.
I then called the UK bank customer service number on the back of the card. There followed a conversation with an incredulous agent ... you want to advise what !!?
Anyway, I convinced them I was for real and provided the card name etc. I offered to meet the owner and give it back, but sensibly they suggested it was simpler if I just destroyed the card, which I did.
I wish I had recorded the name but it is now lost. Maybe somewhere out there in the UK someone is still wondering who it was.

 

[Pushka]

In France 5 years ago, my husband and I had a brilliant tour with guide Olivier - Chemins d'Histoire Battlefield tours. We provided background information of our relative (who died in WW1 but body never found).
Olivier found the memorial of our relative, provided excellent insight and detail that brought history to life. As we were leaving the beautiful Australian War memorial near Villiers Bretonneux he had arranged for us to meet a French military service rep. The man wanted to say to us - once again - how grateful France was(is) for our efforts in the war. He presented us with a book of history in the region. It was touching to say the least.

The French are so respectful of those Australians who served in WWI. We have experienced similarly and feel my Grandfather who served initially on the Western front then in the War Graves Repatriation would be very proud. I think the French respect the vets at a much higher level than our own Government ever has.

 

[parsonstrish]

It was my birthday, on QF7, gifted model 380 with all signatures of crew, flight crew signed the wings. Bottles of wine given at different times, but the plane is special.

 

[MikeG]

This may not be a gift as-such, but it was a random act of honesty and kindness that I will never forget.

We were in Mantova Italy, I was over there visiting my suppliers, and had taken the family along for some sightseeing while I was working. Anyway, we decided to go and eat Pizza one night (as you do) in a beautiful piazza in Mantova, and after a scrumptious and enjoyable meal, I paid and we left.

What surprised me is that while we were wandering back to the car, the lady from the restaurant chased us down the road because I had inadvertently overpaid, and I was so bowled over by this, I said to just keep it as a gratuity.

Wow just wow. That sort of stuff just embeds in one's mind and makes one want to return.

 

[Pushka]

This may not be a gift as-such, but it was a random act of honesty and kindness that I will never forget.

We were in Mantova Italy, I was over there visiting my suppliers, and had taken the family along for some sightseeing while I was working. Anyway, we decided to go and eat Pizza one night (as you do) in a beautiful piazza in Mantova, and after a scrumptious and enjoyable meal, I paid and we left.

What surprised me is that while we were wandering back to the car, the lady from the restaurant chased us down the road because I had inadvertently overpaid, and I was so bowled over by this, I said to just keep it as a gratuity.

Wow just wow. That sort of stuff just embeds in one's mind and makes one want to return.

Everything about eating pizza, wine by the jug, in a beautiful piazza in Italy makes me want to return.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We have had quite a few over the years but this one still stands out. It was in 1985 and Mr FM and I were spending a month in Japan - had a 3 week train pass and then a week in Tokyo. At one point we ended up in Nagasaki and wanted to go to the Peace Park. We had looked up what bus to get from our hotel, but ended up getting off a few stops early. It was pouring rain and we were trudging along with our collars of our jackets turned up, when a van stopped, guy got out presented us with an umbrella and drove away again. Somehow that gift was so touching and I still have the umbrella - never used again, but a symbol of friendship without words.

 

[SOPOOR]

Was in Taiwan a few years ago for the first time, on the bus to go some where,
didnt know the buses didnt have change or a card service, only had USD and $50 equivalent TWD note for a $2 bus trip

fumbled around for a while looking for any form of loose change,

granny with granddaughter notices us fumbling around,gives us the $2 equivalent in TWD, couldnt speak any english

we tried to give $5 USD to her, she refused, we then tried to give granddaughter who was about 8 years old, but she also refused too

a small gesture but has remained with me for ever