Trust

Finding trustworthy strangers in India is not an easy task. It is far less difficult to come across someone who will do their best to take advantage of your vulnerable situation.

I was alone on a local bus heading back home from a day of touring Bangalore. I had only a memory of the location that I needed to get off at. It didn't help that it was getting dark and monsoon rain was starting to pour. The kind gentleman that instructed me to get on that particular bus also partnered me with a stranger who claimed he was getting off at my stop. I only had the kind gentleman's phone number written on a napkin in my pocket but I had no cell phone. For whatever reason I wasn't concerned that the stranger did not speak any English. I had to trust him.

I looked at my watch -- 5:30pm. I was told that I would arrive at my stop at 7:30pm due to the very heavy evening traffic. The time passed quickly as I discovered Bangalore (and Indian in general) is fascinating to look at from the bus window. Shortly after 7:00pm the bus stopped in the middle of the road. Apparently the route was blocked and the bus could not get to my stop. The stranger indicated that we needed to get off.

As I exited the bus I began to smile. It was dark, raining, and I had no idea where I was. An adventure was to be had.

I felt I had been on that street before. I felt that we were not too far from my stop. But then again, so many streets looked the same in India and I really had no idea how to get home.

After the bus started down the street the stranger handed his bag to another person and started to run after the bus. I figured he forgot something on the bus and would be back shortly. His friend and I waited for quite some time before the stranger returned with another bag. I guess I was right.

We started to walk. I could only pray that we were going the right direction. It felt right so I was still smiling. I was smiling up until the point that the stranger decided to veer off the main road into a darker street. I understood that he was trying to tell me that it was a shortcut. My stomach started to tremble.

I guess I should have insisted to stick to the main road or I should have phoned the kind gentleman who did speak English. I decided to follow the stranger down the dark road. I figured if he tried anything fishy I could walk back to the main road and make that phone call.

Oh, I forgot to mention I was carrying my camera bag. Throughout my time in India I have carried my camera. Its both a blessing and a curse. I've enjoyed taking lots of photos but without it I would have blended in easier. Aside from my inability to speak the local language, carrying an item of that kind of expense was a surefire indication that I was a foreigner. They knew.

As we walked along the 'shortcut' I forgot the way back to the main street. Dozens of scenarios flashed through my mind. None of them positive.

After a half an hour of walking through dark streets, through fields, through the unknown we came through to another main street. Whew. The strangers pointed the direction in which I should continue walking. I was unconvinced and one of them started walking in that direction. I followed him and fifteen minutes later a huge sigh of relief overcame me. At 7:45pm we were finally at my bus stop. I emptied the money from my pockets into the stranger's hand. It wasn't much but it was all I had.

The strangers could have lead me anywhere. Anything could of happened. I was so grateful that the right thing happened- I made it home safe and sound.

I'm glad that there are good people out there.