Buffalo News

Buffalo News, The (NY)

September 4, 2003

STRANGER'S KINDNESS PROVES THERE IS GOOD IN HUMANITY

Author: MARIA R. CERAULO

Edition: FINAL
Section: EDITORIAL PAGE
Page: B4

Index Terms:
MY VIEW

Estimated printed pages: 3

Article Text:

The unexpected kindness of a stranger kept my long-awaited Greek vacation from becoming a disaster.

It was a hot May night when I arrived at my hotel in Hios, a Greek island in the Northeastern Aegean. I was eager to explore the area even though it was getting late. I decided to rent a moped and drive to the beach. I never made it there.

I decided to turn off the main highway at several points to admire the dramatic cliffs where they met the clear blue sea. At one of those stops, I accidentally accelerated instead of braking while trying to pull over. As the moped tipped over, I fell and the bike landed on top of me. I managed to pull it off, but realized I was bleeding everywhere with scratches and cuts on my leg and arms. More important, I couldn't get the moped to start.

I have traveled extensively, even to Antarctica, but had never felt this helpless before. After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably about 30 minutes, I spotted a car, flagged it down and hoped it would stop. It did.

Then I hit the real jackpot because the driver, Cathy, was an American married to a Greek and living there. She was traveling with her two toddlers and nanny. I was relieved because the only Greek I knew was how to reserve a room or ask for the boat schedule.

"I'll take you to the hospital," she said. Although I replied it wasn't necessary, she insisted. "I want to make sure you're OK."

The hospital was what we would call a clinic, and the waiting room was empty. I was greeted by a doctor who was one of the most handsome men I have ever met. He looked like one of those Greek gods posing in a Calvin Klein ad. The doctor did not speak English, so having Cathy there to translate was manna from heaven.

"To avoid infection, he is going to give you a shot," Cathy explained, "and it's not going to be on your arm."

"Just my luck," I replied, "with a guy who looks like this." We laughed hard as the doctor looked confused.

Afterward, the doctor turned my leg over. There was a large piece of burned skin where the exhaust pipe hit my leg. It was purple and red and crinkled. When he showed it to me, I realized what the throbbing pain in my leg was all about. He explained to Cathy that my body was probably in some state of shock and so I hadn't realized I'd been burned.

"Look," squealed Cathy's daughter, pointing at me. "She has boo boos."

Cathy brought me to her spacious home, with modern artwork on the walls. The house was on a cliff overlooking the beach where I was headed. She made strong coffee and we ate biscuits.

I was worried about how to explain the accident to the moped shop. "I'll call them and let them know your bike was left on the side of the road and give them the location," Cathy said.

Then we took the 40-minute drive back to my hotel. We exchanged addresses and promised to write. Somewhere in my travels, I lost her address. I have always regretted not being able to thank her properly, perhaps with a gift for her children. I sometimes wonder what would have happened to me if Cathy had not stopped to help.

It's been 10 years, and I still have the scar from that day. However, it reminds me that, contrary to popular belief, a stranger can prove there is good in humanity.

MARIA R. CERAULO lives in Buffalo.
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Caption:
1/2 column