I have never been a mountain climber, but I have heard stories of people being trapped between two cliffs with no way to move up or down nor forward or backward. Yikes, the fear, and the anxiety I could only imagine.  Until recently…

While navigating our way up a maze of narrow cobble stoned streets trying to find our hotel in Toledo, we became quite wedged between two buildings with doorways blocked and all. Unable to move forward without scrapping our two front fenders and rear-view mirrors. Of course we pulled them back but regardless, we were not able to go into reverse nor forward without damaging the vehicle significantly…

Now if I were Matt Damon or Tom Cruise, and on a mission, I would have just moved forward and not worried about it. But this was not the case, instead I was more like Don Quixote, very stuck in an unfortunate situation of my own making. We became stunned at the realization we may be there for a quite a while. Kind of like the climber I mentioned earlier.

People would walk up the street and then retreat slowly seeing they could not get through. A couple of people tried to help but soon realized we were truly stuck. And then quietly emerged someone who came to our rescue.

Most would have walk away but she stayed and encouraged us to try to go this way… then that. Eventually she walked several blocks around from where we were and guided us in backing up in reverse for some 40 or 50 feet with only an inch on either side of the car to spare. Using hand motions like a football coach in a tight game she directed us, right, left, right, left… center!!! Right then left …until we were truly freed. Tears were shed. We took a deep breath and resumed our journey to safer passages and found a parking place we should have gone to in the first place.

Thus, only in one’s error does one learn …and as luck has been with us thus far. This sweet angel appeared to assist us through our most anxious moments, or we would still be there …even now, unable to get out of our car as we were sandwiched between to Moorish built walls of centuries ago. Before asphalt, before internet, before such a vehicle was even conceived of.

We thanked her, offered money – but no, would have none of it. And then went about her day. And we remain forever grateful.

Thus is life and a twist of fate in seconds. Moments incomprehensible.

And now we are quite thrilled to be here!