The Five People I Met Abroad & What They Taught Me: Fez

Traveling out of the United States was new to us. I prepared the best I could for the trip, reading books, online blogs, articles, and news stories, but I still found myself unprepared for the long haul across the globe. So it was a pleasant surprise to meet a few new friends along the way. They helped shape my vision of other cultures, gave me a new perspective on life, and even helped me do laundry. Let me introduce you to my first new friend--Fez.

F E Z

To meet Fez was divine intervention. Chris and I had barely made the train from Milano Centrale to Rome. The experience of arriving at a foreign train station at 3:30am was not what we expected. We were greeted with a plethora of drug addicts and transients and the scene resembled a clip from a zombie apocalypse movie. I felt like I'd been plopped into a horror flick and the ending didn't look so bright for us. With a few scary encounters under our belts, we found the safety of the main station (which was heavily guarded and quite beautiful). We sat in our train seats frightened and a little disappointed.

Milano Centrale Train Station (Behind the guarded area).

Our seat configurations were set up with four chairs facing a mutual table. It reminded me of a James Bond movie. Both Chris and I had an empty seat to the side of us, and we faced each other. A few moments later, Fez sat next to Chris, but we were both so uptight we didn't want to talk to anyone.

Me drinking my Coke. They taste especially good in Italy because they use real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup--so delicious!

Twenty minutes later, with a snack I'd packed for us to eat and a few Cokes down the hatch, I mentioned to Chris, "I think the guy sitting next to you brought a guitar on the train."

Fez's eyes opened wide, "Yes, I did bring a guitar on."

I laughed out loud because I didn't realize he spoke English. It was only day two for us on our trip, I hadn't yet realized basically everyone speaks English in Italy.

Fez and Chris immediately started talking about the guitar. Their eyes light up as they discussed various types of guitars, picks, styles, their favorite musicians, and what types of guitars they owned. I could see Chris's reserved and cautious shell melt away as Fez talked with him about their common love of the guitar. The conversation eventually drifted to advice to us about our trip in Italy. We were given cautions about certain locations to never visit, tips on great places to eat, advice on where to buy good leather, and a heavy dose of what not do in Italy. He shared stories about his own experiences in Italy. Fez was raised in Southern Italy and while the other teenagers were into football, he had picked up a love for the guitar. He told us of how he'd sit by the seaside and play his guitar until the stars came out. It sounded idyllic and beautiful--we were both smitten with his life.

Chris and Fez comparing guitar picks. They both had them in their wallets.

Then he told us of his dreams. He dreamed of visiting Corona, California to tour the Fender factory. I sat stunned that this man's dream was to leave this gorgeous country with all of its art, history, and beauty, and trek to Corona. I could tell Chris was surprised, but we both said nothing and let Fez talk of his dream.

It got me thinking--what might I be missing in my own surroundings? Had I taken careful notice of the beauty I lived in? Had I fully experienced the gorgeous landscapes that surrounded me on a daily basis? In my rush to get to work, take care of the kids, get groceries, meet deadlines, and go to the gym, had I failed to stop and take in the gorgeous desert and ambience I lived within? I pondered the thought as Fez spoke and promised myself to fully engage in my community when I returned to the States.

Chris and Fez discussing guitar.

Fez spoke of traditions and Italian life. He worked as a musician for a Christian church in Florence and spoke fondly of his church family. He spoke about his people with pride and his homeland with great respect, especially Florence. Anytime he had a suggestions for us, he'd quickly pull up the address for us on his iPhone and give it to us. He was a divinely placed host on our second day in Italy and we desperately needed his company. Far from home and thus far not having the best experience, I felt like Fez was a welcomed distraction. I marveled at the rarity in which he shared the exact same passion for the guitar like Chris, because truly I don't think Chris would've opened up as he did.

Fez taught me several things. Kindness to strangers. The willingness to open up about your life authentically. And, in the end, how God uses people to be a light in the darkness--even in Italy.