Biggest Coincidence That Happened To You While Traveling in North America
Aug 18th, 2007, 11:47 AM
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Biggest Coincidence That Happened To You While Traveling in North America
There is a similar thread I started on the Europe board.
Here goes my North American story, which happened in Canada--which the reason I did not limit this to stories from US travels.
There I was at the Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. No, I didn't stay there, but I had a look see. I generally stay in much lower scale places when I travel overnight on my home exchanges. My son and I were just having a look see in the hotel to see how the other half lives.
I passed by a bank of phones and heard someone talking. I recognized the voice. It was a friend from home. Home is, by the way, Washington, DC. The encounter became a running joke between us for awhile. By the way, my friend was on an escorted tour and was staying at the Chateau Lake Louise.
Here goes my North American story, which happened in Canada--which the reason I did not limit this to stories from US travels.
There I was at the Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. No, I didn't stay there, but I had a look see. I generally stay in much lower scale places when I travel overnight on my home exchanges. My son and I were just having a look see in the hotel to see how the other half lives.
I passed by a bank of phones and heard someone talking. I recognized the voice. It was a friend from home. Home is, by the way, Washington, DC. The encounter became a running joke between us for awhile. By the way, my friend was on an escorted tour and was staying at the Chateau Lake Louise.
Aug 18th, 2007, 12:25 PM
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Something similar happened to me twice. My husband and I (while in college, pre-marriage) were traveling in Europe and Israel for the summer and bumped into a college buddy of his sitting in a doorway in Tel Aviv. Then, when we were camping in Hawaii in 1978, we drove up to Kokee Lodge planning to camp, but didn't have a permit. We pulled in front of the pay phones, and there was a woman whom I had been very close to when we both were at the same summer camp years earlier. We're not in touch anymore, but I do have her email address - since we were just back at Kokee Lodge a few weeks ago for the first time since that camping trip, I took a picture of myself at the phone booth, and will send it to her!
Aug 18th, 2007, 12:52 PM
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Years ago, when I lived in Mexico City, I went to a movie starring Ursula Andress and it was an Italian movie but dubbed in Spanish and it was this huge theatre and I happened to make a flippant goofy comment during the movie and the person in front of me, turns around and says it must be 'me' and it was a high school friend..
What are the odds of that?
What are the odds of that?
Aug 18th, 2007, 12:54 PM
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After my son graduated from high school,
we went to Hawaii for his graduation gift. After we arrived at our hotel in
Honolulu and were going to the elevator-
when the elevator opened we saw one of
my son's friends from our small town in
Tenn. He and his family were staying at
the same hotel and then when we got to
Maui they were staying at the same hotel
there also. It really is a small world.
we went to Hawaii for his graduation gift. After we arrived at our hotel in
Honolulu and were going to the elevator-
when the elevator opened we saw one of
my son's friends from our small town in
Tenn. He and his family were staying at
the same hotel and then when we got to
Maui they were staying at the same hotel
there also. It really is a small world.
Aug 18th, 2007, 02:56 PM
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As some of you know, I live in Austin, TX. When DH and I were vacationing in Gatlinburg, TN we looked across the street and saw my aunt and uncle from Houston. We had no idea they would be in town, and they didn't know we would be there. Very strange, but a happy coincidence.
Another time I was in Regina, Saskatchewan with the ex. We we trying to find a liquor store so we asked directions of a red-haired guy in a parking lot. The red-haired guy was very nice and gave us good directions to the nearest liquor store. A few days later we were at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. Just as we were leaving, we heard a voice saying, "Hey, didn't I see you in Regina?" Yes, it was the red-haired guy who helped us find a liquor store.
Another time I was in Regina, Saskatchewan with the ex. We we trying to find a liquor store so we asked directions of a red-haired guy in a parking lot. The red-haired guy was very nice and gave us good directions to the nearest liquor store. A few days later we were at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. Just as we were leaving, we heard a voice saying, "Hey, didn't I see you in Regina?" Yes, it was the red-haired guy who helped us find a liquor store.
Aug 18th, 2007, 03:07 PM
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With all these coincidences, have you ever thought how many more times you probably came within minutes or even seconds of running in to someone you know in an unlikely place, but barely missed them?
Aug 18th, 2007, 03:09 PM
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I grew up in Pittsburgh. On a business trip from my home in northern Virginia to Silicon Valley, I decided to go see the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Giants at Candlestick Park. This might have been twenty years ago.
I sat in a field level section that was mostly empty. My row and the 10 rows in front and 10 in back were empty. I had moved down there from my purchased seat because it was so empty.
A guy walks down to the row in front of me and in about 12 seats. Two seats to my left. Turns out that I knew this guy from kindergarten all the way through high school. He was living in Sacramento and took the day off to come see the Pirates.
I sat in a field level section that was mostly empty. My row and the 10 rows in front and 10 in back were empty. I had moved down there from my purchased seat because it was so empty.
A guy walks down to the row in front of me and in about 12 seats. Two seats to my left. Turns out that I knew this guy from kindergarten all the way through high school. He was living in Sacramento and took the day off to come see the Pirates.
Aug 18th, 2007, 03:12 PM
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This isn't North America, but I thought it was worth a tell...
My brother and his fiancee recently went to Buenos Aires for 10 days. One night they went to dinner at a restaurant near their hotel, and they ended up sitting next to their next-door neighbor from NYC! Neither had any idea the other was going to BA/Argentina. Very weird.
My brother and his fiancee recently went to Buenos Aires for 10 days. One night they went to dinner at a restaurant near their hotel, and they ended up sitting next to their next-door neighbor from NYC! Neither had any idea the other was going to BA/Argentina. Very weird.
Aug 18th, 2007, 04:19 PM
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Well, I certainly don't care where the coincidences were. I just want to read funny stories.
However, this is the US board--which is why I titled the thread the way I did. Of course, I selfishly included Canada because my own coincidence story happened there. The Canadian board does not get as much action and a thread there would get far fewer hits.
LOL
However, this is the US board--which is why I titled the thread the way I did. Of course, I selfishly included Canada because my own coincidence story happened there. The Canadian board does not get as much action and a thread there would get far fewer hits.
LOL
Aug 18th, 2007, 07:29 PM
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My family and I were visiting The Dreams Park, a youth baseball mecca in Cooperstown, NY. My parents had joined us from Cleveland.
We were on a Dreams Park "scouting mission" and Hall Of Fame trip in expectation of our son playing a tournament there the following year.
We live in Colorado.
On the first day of attending games, we entered a field. As we walked past the row of player parents along the first base line, I noticed a familiar face- my Ex.
Never said a word, to my Ex or my DW.
Later that day we all had a nervous laugh about it. My DW figured it out long before. Funny how she knew.
We're celebrating 19 years in November.
We were on a Dreams Park "scouting mission" and Hall Of Fame trip in expectation of our son playing a tournament there the following year.
We live in Colorado.
On the first day of attending games, we entered a field. As we walked past the row of player parents along the first base line, I noticed a familiar face- my Ex.
Never said a word, to my Ex or my DW.
Later that day we all had a nervous laugh about it. My DW figured it out long before. Funny how she knew.
We're celebrating 19 years in November.
Aug 18th, 2007, 08:33 PM
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For five years I lived in a BOQ (Bachelor Officers' Quarters) or maybe I should call it a BWQ, since most of us were women in an army post in Heidelberg, Germany. I returned to the States and was living in Sacramento, California.
I was walking down a hall in a hotel in Sacramento, where I'd been attending a teachers' conference, when who should I meet but the girl who lived in the room below mine in Heidelberg.
Later, I was attending a German language summer school in a college near Portland when I came face to face with Sam, the girl who had lived across the hall in the BOQ. She was attending some sort of leadership conference for her job.
We all sure got around!
I was walking down a hall in a hotel in Sacramento, where I'd been attending a teachers' conference, when who should I meet but the girl who lived in the room below mine in Heidelberg.
Later, I was attending a German language summer school in a college near Portland when I came face to face with Sam, the girl who had lived across the hall in the BOQ. She was attending some sort of leadership conference for her job.
We all sure got around!
Aug 18th, 2007, 08:35 PM
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#1
My daughter ran into a schoolmate in Times Square... we live in a rural area NE of Dallas.
#2
I was flying from MSP to DFW one day, in first class, seat 2A.
I never really sit at the gate... I read magazines at the store until they start boarding and I just go straight to the gate and board.
So I board and start reading the magazine I bought. I did not look up once I sat down.
I get home and I see my neighbors getting home a few minutes later.
Turns out we were on the same flight. They had been hunting in WI. Crazy.
#3
I rarely lie. Seriously. I was in NYC on a speaking engagement. It was a trip reimbursed by the group organizing the event. They were having a very formal event the evening of the event and I did not want to go... so I lied and said I was leaving to go home.
I was really going to another hotel and staying 3 more days.
I went to the airport to go home and one of the organizers was standing at the curb where the cab stopped. OMG, I almost died. She lives in CA, I live in TX.
I had my friend block her view and I scurried in the airport. She did not see me. Home free!
Wrong... I get on the plane (1st class, 1st row) and wouldnt you know she GOT ON MY PLANE to DFW. She stood next to me for a few minutes waiting for the line to move. I sunk into my chair and buried my face in a magazine. She never noticed me.
I ran off the plane at DFW and went to get my luggage... knowing I was home free. WRONG! She was at the counter, outside security trying to get reaccomodated on an AA flight because her connecting carrier had cancelled!
She STILL did not see me!
This is a woman who chases me down when we are within 50 feet of each other. I was so lucky! She would have been very upset with me. They paid for me to speak at this event and really wanted me to attend the event... though I was under no obligation.
I did not have to lie but I did not want to have them argue with me to go... so I did.
It was a sign. I will not lie again under similar circumstances!
My daughter ran into a schoolmate in Times Square... we live in a rural area NE of Dallas.
#2
I was flying from MSP to DFW one day, in first class, seat 2A.
I never really sit at the gate... I read magazines at the store until they start boarding and I just go straight to the gate and board.
So I board and start reading the magazine I bought. I did not look up once I sat down.
I get home and I see my neighbors getting home a few minutes later.
Turns out we were on the same flight. They had been hunting in WI. Crazy.
#3
I rarely lie. Seriously. I was in NYC on a speaking engagement. It was a trip reimbursed by the group organizing the event. They were having a very formal event the evening of the event and I did not want to go... so I lied and said I was leaving to go home.
I was really going to another hotel and staying 3 more days.
I went to the airport to go home and one of the organizers was standing at the curb where the cab stopped. OMG, I almost died. She lives in CA, I live in TX.
I had my friend block her view and I scurried in the airport. She did not see me. Home free!
Wrong... I get on the plane (1st class, 1st row) and wouldnt you know she GOT ON MY PLANE to DFW. She stood next to me for a few minutes waiting for the line to move. I sunk into my chair and buried my face in a magazine. She never noticed me.
I ran off the plane at DFW and went to get my luggage... knowing I was home free. WRONG! She was at the counter, outside security trying to get reaccomodated on an AA flight because her connecting carrier had cancelled!
She STILL did not see me!
This is a woman who chases me down when we are within 50 feet of each other. I was so lucky! She would have been very upset with me. They paid for me to speak at this event and really wanted me to attend the event... though I was under no obligation.
I did not have to lie but I did not want to have them argue with me to go... so I did.
It was a sign. I will not lie again under similar circumstances!
Aug 18th, 2007, 08:54 PM
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this is not travel related.... but its a really cool coincidence.
i stopped into a supermarket that is about 30 miles from my house and i had never been in before. .. i run into a guy who i knew from a karate class some years before.. hi, how are you? "great", he said. "my wife just had a baby and we are on our way home from the hospital. want to see the baby?" so i go out to the parking lot and see wife and baby. fast forward a couple of years (hadnt seen the guy since). i'm in the same market (2nd time ever) and see the same guy. Hi how are you? "great", he says "we just had a baby and we're on our way home from the hospital now.. wanna see the baby?" we all had a great laugh about the coincidence. i havent seen him since.... i guess they stopped at 2.
i stopped into a supermarket that is about 30 miles from my house and i had never been in before. .. i run into a guy who i knew from a karate class some years before.. hi, how are you? "great", he said. "my wife just had a baby and we are on our way home from the hospital. want to see the baby?" so i go out to the parking lot and see wife and baby. fast forward a couple of years (hadnt seen the guy since). i'm in the same market (2nd time ever) and see the same guy. Hi how are you? "great", he says "we just had a baby and we're on our way home from the hospital now.. wanna see the baby?" we all had a great laugh about the coincidence. i havent seen him since.... i guess they stopped at 2.
Aug 19th, 2007, 01:52 AM
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1) On a day trip to NYC (I live in MA) my friends and I went to see "Spelling Bee". I hear someone in the row behind me call out to me. It was my dental hygienist who was there for the day with her daughter and happened to go to the same show.
2) BF and I went to New Orleans in January 2001. In the meantime, his older daughter and her BF (now husband) were driving cross country from CA to move to FL. Sure enough, we find a message on the room phone from them saying they are just outside the city and can we meet up? I had not yet met BF's older daughter since we live in MA. It was fun to finally meet her and her partner even if we both had to go halfway across the country to do so. They live nearby now but younger daughter has moved to FL.
3) BF and I made plans to go to Quebec City in August 2006 for a few days. Turns out BF's best friend and family were arriving toward the end of our stay. We ended up all staying at the same "apartment" building and getting together for breakfast the last day of our stay. We hadn't been able to find a good time for the four of us to go out for a long time. It took coincidental timing on a trip to Quebec to make it happen.
LeeParis
2) BF and I went to New Orleans in January 2001. In the meantime, his older daughter and her BF (now husband) were driving cross country from CA to move to FL. Sure enough, we find a message on the room phone from them saying they are just outside the city and can we meet up? I had not yet met BF's older daughter since we live in MA. It was fun to finally meet her and her partner even if we both had to go halfway across the country to do so. They live nearby now but younger daughter has moved to FL.
3) BF and I made plans to go to Quebec City in August 2006 for a few days. Turns out BF's best friend and family were arriving toward the end of our stay. We ended up all staying at the same "apartment" building and getting together for breakfast the last day of our stay. We hadn't been able to find a good time for the four of us to go out for a long time. It took coincidental timing on a trip to Quebec to make it happen.
LeeParis
