Travel often leaves too little to chance. Between lodging, transportation, excursions and dining reservations, sometimes it can feel like every moment has been researched and planned down to the minute. So, when I booked my first trip to Winnipeg in the fall, I decided to just wing it.

From the discount flight to the last-minute couchsurfing requests to having absolutely no idea what people do for fun in Winnipeg, this was a trip unscripted. All I knew was that I wanted to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights at some point.

Sam’s Place

Henderson Highway wasn’t exactly a scenic walk, and there weren’t any decent lunch options along the way. The walk from our couchsurfing host’s house to an AirBnB felt longer than I expected, and the drizzle in the air made everything feel a bit heavier. I suppose a few dreary moments is the natural cost of leaving things up to chance.

When we saw Sam’s Place, a Mennonite cafe, we quickly ducked in and huddled together at the counter. Our clothes were damp, and I suspect we looked a bit ragged. A hot drink and a grilled sandwich sounded perfect.

After we ordered, I scanned the cafe and was delighted to find that it was also a used book store. Our food came, lifting our spirits and our blood sugar. I walked around, letting my eyes wander through the titles. There was strong representation of German religious texts, and a bunch of classic literature titles to round off the selection.

The Moments You Can’t Plan For

As we finished up our coffee and started to think about continuing our walk, a few older dudes came in with guitars and started playing together. It was charming, but we felt a little bit like we were intruding on someone’s music club.

Over the next 15 minutes, a hoard of musicians descended upon the cafe, and the place transformed into a folksy commune of artists. Some were old, some were young, some were boisterous, and some were shy. They played everything from old hymns to Beyoncé, and everything in between.

It was a perfect moment. The kind of moment you can’t plan for or replicate. These are the things you miss out on when you don’t leave space in your travels for a little bit of the unexpected.

I loved the Human Rights Museum, but this was a moment I will never forget. It was a lesson in the joy of community that will stick with me forever. The faces of the people in that cafe on a dreary Saturday in Winnipeg have become one of my favorite travel experiences.