Night one in Innsbruck Austria may have been my favorite night of my entire summer traveling in europe. I had just stepped off a train, exhausted from a 28 hour train journey from valencia spain. I came to Innsbruck a day prior to check in for my summer school program so I did not exactly have a place to sleep. So I walked the streets for a few blocks looking for a cheap hotel or a cozy bush to sleep in. As I walked I noticed a rowdy group of young men in there late 20's early 30's and I ask them if they know of a cheap place to sleep. They said yes and instructed me to hop in the cab with them to their hotel. They seemed harmless and i'm always down for an adventure so I hopped in. We drove about 3 miles and pulled up to a beautiful 5 star hotel. I was shocked when they informed me that this was their place and that they have a bed for me. I asked if I could pay them any money for the room and they simply said no, just come out with us. I obviously said yes and joined what I then found out to be a German bachelor party. Leave it to lucky me to come across a german bachelor party willing to put me up and take me out for a night of partying. We had loads of fun and stayed out late. The next morning we woke up and they treated me to a full 5 star breakfast at the hotel and then sent me on my way. I can honestly say they were the most caring and giving I met while traveling europe. One thing I will never forget was when I was leaving and I asked one of them, Daniel why did you help me out last night? he responded saying that when he traveled to USA a few years back he was treated so well by the american people that he felt that he should pay it forward. So as I left that morning to check in to my dorm, all he told me was to pay if forward. From that point on, everyday I do my best to do something kind for someone to help pay it forward.
-R
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