Days ago, I came across a National Geographic article about ten acts of kindness by strangers around the world, of which the writer collected experiences from the magazine readers and featured the most heart-warming, impressive stories. These reminded me of the compassion I received from travelers alike on the road, and I would love to share with you one of my most unforgettable moments which happened three years ago when I was visiting Bolivia in South America.

Famed for the world’s largest salt flat which creates stunning reflections when covered by a thin-layered of water, Bolivia has been a popular destination, with many local agencies offering one- to three-day tours showcasing the captivating beauty of Salar de Uyuni. To see its magical mirror-like effect, you have to time your visit between November and March. My friend and I flew from La Paz, the capital of the country, to Uyuni when the rainy season had just started. After getting out of the airport, we made a beeline for a travel agency where we booked a stargazing trip for the night, followed by a two-day group tour. Setting off at around 4 am, the driver gave us each a pair of rainy boots and asked us to put it on before joining another four participants waiting in the van.

Being a city girl, I had never seen that many stars in reality that looked like millions of diamonds embedded in a velvety evening gown, with its twinkling train extended under our feet thanks to the water reflection. In the first half-hour, we were jumping, spinning, and posing in front of the camera, in awe of the Milky Galaxy and constellations. However, when I sat down to rest (the guide prepared us plastic chairs), the unforgivable, frigid wind began seeping through my skin and into my heart no matter how hard I clutched on my jacket. Shivering, clenching my teeth, and enduring the cold, I was hoping the sun would be up soon to save my life, even though it meant I had to say farewell to the star-studded sky.

“Annyeong,” I looked up, and in front of me was a middle-aged Asian lady who must be a tourist from one of the tour groups nearby. Incapable of understanding Korean, I was a bit confused when this Ajumma extended her hands and put something in mine. In an instant, my numb, icy hands were soothed by the gentle heat coming from the tiny bag I was holding. That’s what I needed most – a hand warmer. “What about you? Do you have another one for yourself?” I wanted to ask but she wouldn’t have understood my Cantonese or English. “Kam-sa-ham-ni-da,” slurring the Korean “thank you” that I learnt from my first trip to Seoul years ago, I saw her walked back to her family and friends. Her generosity not only warmed my freezing body that evening but my heart whenever I told this story. In my eyes, she was the brightest star of the night.

This experience has a great impact on how I see the travel community. We all know that even the best-laid travel plans can be ruined by a hundred types of uncertainties, and when urgencies happen, you can only rely on yourself, the locals, or someone just like you – a traveler. When we are on the road, we should help each other out, even a small gesture out of compassion and kindness is more powerful than you can imagine. If you believe in karma, a good deed will be returned when you’re in need, not necessarily from the same person you assisted. If you believe in science, your brain will release endorphins, the feel-good chemical, when you give a helping hand. Isn’t it a wonderful thing?