when travelling i always make it a point to use couchsurfing or similar communities to find hosts to stay with. it's the easiest way to get in touch with locals. and they are expecting you.
similar to your story, one of my most memorable unplanned experiences was missing a train at christmas eve in poland, and then joining christmas dinner with a host i found on short notice.
similar to your story, one of my most memorable unplanned experiences was missing a train at christmas eve in poland, and then joining christmas dinner with a host i found on short notice.