There is a certain magic in wandering the city alone. A certain wonder in walking streets that are brimming with the untold stories of such a vast number of people.

The kind woman who massages my work-weary body into a state of relaxation has a lilt in her voice that hints towards a life before or beyond Australia. Where has she come from? Does she like it here? Has she made good friends? What are her ambitions for the future?

A young man holds up a book to a friend standing behind an iPhone camera in the Dymocks on George Street. The way he interacts with the book and the camera suggests that he is the author. How did he become a writer? What challenges did he face to get a book published? Who inspired him?

In the Lush store in Sydney’s QVB an employee with a friendly face enthusiastically compliments my autumnal dress as I search for a bath bomb. His brief kindness warms me and makes me wonder who has shown him kindness so that he passes it on with such generosity. Or does he give out kindness to spite the unkindness shown to him in his life?

In the Fantasy/Sci-Fi aisle of Kinokuniya Books I overhear a conversation between two friends who are discussing the complexity of attracting a romantic partner. I would love to jump into the conversation and ask: where do you think the desire for love comes from? What is the best love you have known in your life? What made it good?

I catch the train home – yet another vessel filled with stories unknown to me – and allow my unanswered questions to sink me deeper into empathy and love for my fellow humans.