As I was walking to my train tonight, I had the strangest encounter. My walk usually takes me through the intersection of 23rd street and 9th avenue. I do this walk every day. What is not present every day is a movable street vendor cart, full of fruit. Today was one of those fruit-filled days. So after I dodged speeding cars in one direction and barreling buses in the other, I came upon the northwest corner of 23rd and 9th. I proceeded to walk by the fruit cart guy and he looks at me straight in the eye, raises his hand to his brow, and salutes me. So what does one do when confronted with a salute? Military protocol dictates that you must recognize the gesture by saluting back. So that is what I did. After we both lowered our hands, I continued on my walk and he tended to his customers.Every once in a while, something weird like this happens. It just reminds me why I love this city.