Sometimes what we need arrives in a surprise package, like the guy who sits next to you on a tiny boat in the Caribbean ocean, on an overly expensive trip you had no intention of taking even as the determined salesman sells you the ticket. He’s a guy who makes...

“Ah, Canada!” A scrawny man, dark skin, dark eyes, black curly hair smiles at me big. He knows he’s right and I haven’t even said a word yet. All I’ve done is looked at him when he said ‘Hola!’ and smiled. Then he says Toronto, and for whatever reason I...