My Experiences with Strangers

Google Photos has a wonderful way of reminding us of our memories. I came across a few pictures of my travel 2 years ago on 20^th June 2018. I travelled from Pune to Bangalore, and then from the Bangalore airport to Mysore by bus. I had some vivid experiences which changed my way of thinking towards strangers and the way I must approach them. This is completely my personal experience and that too of a particular incident, given the circumstances I was in. I do not recommend anyone to have blind trust to any stranger. However, I relate to what I felt at that time, 2 years ago, even now.

(I explored a few places on the same trip. I have shared the photos here.)

In the Skies

On my flight, I met an elderly couple sitting beside me in the row of 3. I have hardly travelled alone, anywhere, so far from home, so I was at my vigilant best. When I enjoyed the flight take off, the blissful early evening sky radiated shades of orange, yellow and red. 

Once up in the clouds, the announcement bell pinged. We could release our seat belts as we were then flying stable, and yes, food and beverages would be served soon. As I said earlier, I was vigilant and that made me observe minute details of people behaviour. I watched the elderly couple beside me sharing their food which each other while they lovingly discussed their trip details. I felt a connection with them in the way they were taking care of each other; if I were with my spouse, we would have behaved the same. Suddenly the woman asked me “Where are you from Pune or Bangalore?” I reluctantly answered, “I’m from Pune.” Then she asked, “Why are you going to Bangalore?” I said, “I am going for delivering training, through my organisation.” She asked me a little about my family, in a kind way, and I replied politely. I realised that she was trying to understand if I was nervous, alone or awkward that I was on a solo trip and that my body language probably reflected it. Eventually, in her words and the small talk, I felt comfort. 

Flowers at Lal Baug 

I got distracted as I saw her playing with a baby who was held by her father at the aisle seat. The father understandably tired while handling an irritated child was relieved while the kiddo got entertained for some time. Since it was a 1.5-hour flight, we landed before I felt any speck of boredom. 

Lal Baug-Bangalore

Sometimes you feel that you must not trust strangers, but you know, in this case, things were just working for the right. More than going by what people say or by what you have heard, or bad experiences, I think you should go by intuition. I thought to myself that the world is full of common people like me and there is so much to look forward to when we meet new people.

Flowers at Lal Baug

Next, I was on my way to Mysore, by a 6 pm bus, from the airport. I assumed that I would reach latest by 10 pm, but the bus driver made halts and the bus reached Mysore bus stand at 11 pm. Coming back to my experience. So when I boarded the bus and took my seat close to the aisle this time. There was this Muslim girl who came and asked me to shift as she had booked the window seat beside me. I remember a boy who had come to see her off and she spoke is a different language which I couldn’t understand. Since she was wearing a burqa and we are conditioned to think that the appearance says she would be reserved and I wouldn’t be able to strike any conversation with her.

Treebark carving Lal Baug

The journey began, and as fate would call it, she happened to talk to me within the initial half an hour.  In the conversation I got to know later on, that her cousin had come to see her off, she had come from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and then to Bangalore via a stop over flight and was travelling to her home in Mysore. She was going to give a surprise to her parents back home as she had not seen them in 3 years. Only her blood brother and cousin knew of the long and exhausting journey she was making. I realised shortly that she was totally different than what I had perceived. She could speak fluent English and was a positive, friendly and joyful person. She was working at a large setup, in a zoo at Abu Dhabi. When she asked me to google and check her workplace, I saw the images. It was a beautiful place. For whatever reason, I felt I could trust her and she felt the same. So our conversations went on elaborating our travel agendas. I even shared my mobile hotspot with her so that she could contact her brother. After the long travel, she bid goodbye and got off at a stop before the final destination.

Lal Baug

It was then 5 minutes away to the bus stand as showing on google maps and I tried to locate my hotel. I was starting to get confused with the location as the bus was moving. So there was a man who was sitting on the other side, opposite my seat, whom I had not noticed in during my journey, as I was immersed in the discussion with the girl. Although he was a stranger, he was almost the only one left on the bus. I thought to myself that I could ask him about the location of the hotel and I hope he knew English or Hindi. I gathered my thoughts and asked him if he knows the hotel and how far would it be from the bus stand. I flashed my mobile and showed him the address. I told him that since I am new to the place I wanted to know how much would the rickshaw charge. He was like this place is not far, it’s 5 to 10 minutes distance from the bus stand, he also told me that the rickshaw would be prepaid and it is generally pretty safe. He said that he could speak to the rickshaw fellow and get me a rick as I was having language barriers. 

Magnificient Mysore Palace

He also was going the same way and also offered to drop me just in case I was comfortable. It was my choice. I told him that I don’t mind travelling alone, but, for some reason, I told him I was good to travel with him and we boarded a rick. He asked me why I was alone, and I narrated why I was there, and my occupation, the topic I was to deliver on the next day of my training. In the short conversation, I realised that he was concerned about the safety of a woman travelling in another city, for the first time, at that hour. Finally, the rick stopped at my hotel gate. I was safe and sound and I thanked him for helping me out. He said “I am glad you are safe😊”

It is absolutely wonderful to interact with strangers this way, whom I know that I will never meet in this lifetime, I think so. Do not know if we will cross paths again. However, all these absolute strangers touched my heart and made my journey memorable. 

My learnings:

1. It is good to be vigilant and at guard when you are at an unknown place, however, it is not necessary to suspect everything and everybody. Follow your intuition. It is powerful.

2. Help a person in need, you never know when you get it in return. (I helped the girl on the bus with my hotspot, I got help from the man who dropped me off at my hotel.) Good karma pays.

3. Learn to trust humanity. Most of us are common people with different destinations. Everybody has a story to tell.

4. Explore the world on your own. You never know what memories you are set out to make on the journey.

Panoroma View LalBaug-Bangalore