A couple of years ago, my condo building got two new elevators. Of course, they were replaced one at a time so that occupants could get to their units without using the stairs.  It was a huge inconvenience that resulted in much improved transportation.  All good.

One of the elevator plusses was bumping into other residents, and we often chatted in the lobby before we went our own ways.  Now, the building and its elevators are empty because the building is unsafe for occupancy. (See earlier blog posts.)

Where I am living now, there is one elevator.  But I am usually alone in it, riding to and from the 7^th floor.  And then one day I wasn’t alone.  Going down, a graduate student who lives on my floor introduced himself. Halfway down, a woman with a big suitcase who was off to NYC for the weekend joined us and introduced herself.

Going back up after fetching my mail, I was joined by a middle-aged man from Brazil studying in a  program here who has seen me on Seth’s Amigo Gringo channel in Brazil and told me I am funny.

I may build a whole new community by spending more time in the elevator.

My next hangout destination:  the sofa in the reception area.