It is incredible reliving this experience, knowing what was to come in the two decades after.
What I did not predict was that I would end up living in many different cities in many different countries, including Los Angeles and New York City. And by far, Americans are the most kind-hearted, generous and polite people I've found anywhere. Even the beggars in Manhatten would be more interested in how I am going and cheering me up than in actually getting any money out of me.
On the latter-two points, we don't yet know the entire story.