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Seeing no hope of immediate rescue, Emily decided to spend the night in her car.

She wrapped herself in a blanket, waiting for morning.

Drawn by the aroma of street food, they line up in front of stands which/that are selling dumplings and hot noodle soup.

She assumed that much like in Michigan, police would simply detour traffic around any closed sections of the highway.

With genuine warmth in her voice, Rachel said they could take Emily to a nearby cafe they knew.

Before heading home, they fill their shopping bags with fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers, at prices significantly cheaper than those found in supermarkets.

Much of this lifestyle centers around being outside and knowing the ins and outs of the town; being present and mindful of your surroundings is a critical part of the culture.

I am grateful for the experience that I had growing up and know that wherever my next adventure takes me, I can trust my small town roots to lead me in the right direction.

When Emily rolled down the window, Rachel asked if she was okay and told her it was not safe to stay overnight in the car.

In the cafe, the couple bought Emily a hot chocolate and listened patiently as she explained her desperate situation: she was about a hundred miles from her destination, her car was completely stuck, and her entire holiday plan could be ruined.