We meet many people on the road, both locals and travelers alike who help us in time of need or distress without expecting a return. Last week of every month I bring you stories from travelers who have experienced kindness on the road and like to share and spread it for the love of travel.
This month’s story has come from Samaresh Biswal who tells us three different incidents during his solo bike journey in India.
Over to Samaresh Biswal.
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I have heard about kindness on road but when I started my solo GQ (Golden Quadrilateral) ride I met so many people that I had never expected that people will be so kind to a stranger.
On my GQ ride, I was on my way to Mumbai near khopoli I felt lost and was confused which road to take. Then a gentleman stopped near me and asked in Kannada (My bike is KA registered) “do you need any help”. I replied in Kannada that I am confused which way to take for Mumbai. He told me to follow him till Panvel & from there I can head towards vapi. As we were chatting he told that he is from Udupi & I started speaking in tulu he was really impressed. I told him about my stay in Mangalore when I learnt the language.
When I reached Panvel he invited me over his restaurant for lunch before I continue onwards. When I tried to pay my bill he said “its fine ride safe”. I noted down his instruction of the way to cross over Mumbai and head towards Gujarat. Thanked him for the delicious south Indian meal.
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Then I had reached Etawah after covering 3000 km. I just parked my bike and cried from the tiredness of the journey (back pain) and thought I would not be able to cover the rest of the GQ. Suddenly an old man came and asked is everything fine, I say it’s okay I am just feeling little tired. He said come over to his house and rest. He said “today is bhaiya dooj, please come over, have some sweet take rest before you continue”. I rested for few hours then I thanked him for the hospitality and continued the journey.
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Next I had crossed over from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh. As evening approached I was feeling very tired, unable to ride further. I just parked my bike in a temple and slept in the portico. Then the priest came and woke me to have dinner. I quickly had dinner and slept. When I woke up at 4 am to continue the journey, I thanked the priest for the hospitality.
And I continue the journey towards Bangalore.
After six months I was again on a cross country bike trip and as I reached Srikakulam and crossed the temple at 4 am, was surprised the priest was standing outside. I just parked my bike and he recognized me instantly. We had a quick chat. He insisted that I wait for the morning aarti before I continue the ride. I said its okay and sponsored the prasad expense of the day.
Over the years the road has taught me lot of lessons about life.
Here is full post of Samaresh’s GQ ride.
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Samaresh Biswal treats the road as his home and you can mostly find him riding his bike covering all corners of India. If you happen to meet him, don’t forget he has a huge stock of stories. 😀 He blogs at I me myself.
You may want to read some of the earlier posts on the same theme.
Kindness on the Road
Surviving America
Good deed not dead!
Lost and found
If you have been helped by someone during your travels and want to share your story with the world, feel free to connect with me in comments section.