A good-samaritan saved me from a stalker
As a 25-year-old woman having traveled in Europe for several months,
I confidently took a train to Vienna. As I arrived late at about 9pm
(dark), I realized that I was ill-prepared not knowing how to get to
any hostel that late, with most places closed and few people around.
On my way out of the train station, a man asked me if I needed help.
I said no, but unconvincingly. While outside trying to orient myself
to find a bus to a youth hostel, he suspiciously followed me, at some
distance. As I got more nervous, he continued to follow me.
Squatting low - with a backpack- around cars, I tried to lose him. In
so doing, an incoming driver asked me if I wanted help. I explained
the situation, and in his car, we used his cellular to call the
hostel to get directions, and then I went alone inside the train
station. As he came in, the first man came in behind him, and saw me.
I immediately put on a show that I was happy to see a known face and
rushed up hugging the good-samaritan. He took it well! He then
offered to take me to the subway station to get to the hostel. First
though, he needed to pick up his wife from a train. I felt
especially bad when I saw her, both of them disappointed not to have
a private and romantic rejoining. But they were quite gracious in
taking me to the subway station and giving me fare money. I wish I
could thank them again for all their help in keeping me safe that
night.
Amaris
{ Previous Letter
| This Week's Index
| Next Letter
{ Main Letters Page }
