karma

Almost a year ago I visited New York for the first time. Before leaving for New York I researched the public transportation to get from LaGuardia airport into Manhattan without taking an expensive (depending) taxi. The MTA website said I only needed to take the M60 bus from the airport to 125th street and then jump on the #6 subway. Bus fare was $2 and the subway another $2.
When my plane landed I had my map and plans in hand. I found the bus stop and waited with my, exactly, two dollar bills in hand. I knew that bus only accepted exact change. Once I boarded the bus I realized I had made a very simple mistake. The bus accepted exact change. I had bills.

The bus driver yelled at me for holding up the line and told me to ask everyone on the bus for change. Oh that was so fun, asking a bus full of New Yorkers if they had change for a dollar.

Oh yes, joyous times.

Fortunately a very kind old lady stepped up and helped me out. She walked from the middle of the bus to the front and swiped her bus pass. She walked back and simply said “I took care of it you’re fine”. I thanked her and offered her my the two dollar fare. She refused and simply said “unlimited” and went back to a conversation she was having with a friend.

The bus driver was happy, the lady was happy, everyone on the bus was happy that I stopped talking to them and I was on my way into New York.

As life tends to do, almost one year later I found myself in the exact same scenario except in opposite roles. Last Saturday, after I dropped my cousin off at LaGuardia airport, I was on the bus leaving the airport when a woman boarded with two one dollar bills in hand. When the bus driver explained that she needed exchange change I knew exactly what I had to do.

I took my card, swiped it and told her everything was fine.

Unlimited.