The Kindness of Strangers

After an unfortunate incident of my power adapter to my computer blowing up, I decided to make a trip into Bangalore. This was a big step for me because I have gone into Bangalore plenty of times but this was the first time that I had gone by myself. Feeling a little nervous about this, I was instantly comforted by the fact that I have a cell phone and if anything happens, I could just call for some help. It was no problem getting to Staples, but once I was there I hit my first obstacle. They didn’t have my part, but they could get it in 4 hours: but I was supposed to be back before dark and that was cutting it way too close. The solution, I decided to go to the other store that did have my part that was connected to the warehouse. The next problem, I have no idea where the mall is. The solution, hire a rickshaw driver. The next problem, it will take them an hour to get it from the warehouse even though I was told it would be prepared before I got there. The solution, I was getting hungry and it was about time for dinner. The other problem, I was supposed to be back before dark and it was definitely getting dark, but after a quick call to Jonathan, everything was sorted out and I would wait for my charger. After going through this fiasco to get my charger, it was all worth it when I plugged in my computer at staples and saw the green light, a sigh of relief swept over me, my adventure was over… so I thought. Leaving Staples I was instantly hit with a wave of rickshaw drivers offering me a ride, perfect… or not. The moment I said Kothenor I would get a puzzled face, then I was asked to spell it, then they would drive away. After this happening about 20 times a stranger came over and started to help me. He asked the same questions as the rickshaw drivers, where was I going, spell it, then puzzled. He finally said, “that place doesn’t exist.” My response, of course it does I have been living there the past couple of months. We then came up with the plan to just take a rickshaw to shivajinagar, the bus station I know well. Then without any hint, he jumped on in with me. We talked until we made it to the bus station where he walked me to my area. I kept suggesting that I should get a rickshaw but he said it was too much money and I should just wait here. I was very skeptical. First of all, I had no idea what time the bus would come and second of all, I was well past my make it home before dark curfew. I just wanted to get back as soon as possible. When another lady overheard us. She said that she would get me home. So he decided to leave and it was only her and I. She suggested that we take another bus, one that I had never heard of. I was again skeptical. This was a complete stranger, should I go on a bus with a complete stranger? Should I go on a bus that I have no idea where it goes with a complete stranger? Then she said something that really hit me she said, “trust me.” And immediately I did trust her. If this was the U.S. this would never fly. I would never even think about it, but hey when in India. It was an adventure. The worst case scenario, I would end up somewhere completely random and I would call for help. So why not trust this stranger? So against all of my instincts I went with her on her bus. We began talking and her name is Shiva, and she was very nice. When we got to the bus stop we got out and she said that she would wait with me until my bus came. I said that she didn’t have to but she just shushed me. We talked and laughed but my bus still wasn’t coming after about half an hour. Her friend who was waiting for her was getting anxious but she kept telling him that she couldn’t leave her friend stranded and that he could wait for her like she waited for him all of the time. I felt like such an inconvenience but she just laughed it off. When my bus finally came, she charged right on in to make sure it was my bus and that I had a seat. Once I sat down she said, make no plans for Sunday because I am picking you up and we will hang out and be friends. I laughed but she was completely serious. Once she left, I was completely stunned. I couldn’t believe that these complete strangers had been so kind. I could believe that they had both gone out of their ways to help me. I also couldn’t believe that I trusted them and followed them where they told me to go. This could have been a very dangerous situation but the kindness of these strangers amazes me. I did eventually make it back to Visthar but I was close to 3 hours late. And when I checked my phone I had a text, it was Shiva making sure that I made it back okay. Never before have I met someone so kind without any reason to be.