A lonely man

by Dharson Sekhar (India)

Making a local connection Sri Lanka

I was scared and confused the moment I stepped my foot in a unknown country. I have no idea where to go and what to do until I started to bend in. A tuk tuk driver approached me and asked me "where do you want to go.?. I replied, to the city center he took me in his vehicle and dropped me in a bus stand and said this is where you would find a local bus to city center. I hopped on the very next bus and reached the city center and yes, I met an another tuk tuk driver with a passenger and I approach him for a directions and the next thing was really stunned my prespective. The passenger got down and requested the driver to pick up and drop off the location. I am loner, but I never wanted to alone all the time. So I stayed in hostels to meet other people and to know about their culture and religion. Interesting thing is when I entered the room I saw a western girl with blond hair and pale skin and she was minding her business. I approach her and said 'Hello', no answer. I repeated and still no response. I thought its a common thing that they won't talk to asin people like me. Later that night, she was calling me with a unusual noise that moment I found that she is deaf & dumb. I appolagized her for my thoughts and we had a great chat by texting each other by sitting beside one another. On the next day I checked out of my hostel along with short time friends from Australia & Newzeland. We were traveling on the same train to a different locations. I hopped off with a good bye and I heard a new Hello by a Chinese girl who is host for a hostel. After my city tour, she introduced me with a new game that night. I called it a Chinese chess and its really trickery that the normal chess and of course she tricked me and won the game. It was time for me to the next location. I got a local bus and got down at the middle of the ride,since dawn approached sooner. I haven't booked a place to stay at that time. I took my phone and randomly checking the numbers to whom I could speak with. A friendly voice with a great smile a guy came to me and asked "Are you traveling alone.?". Yes, I said and also said I am new to the country and new to solo travel. He was excited and took me to a tent and said you can stay here for a night and I took a look around the environment. It was covered with mist and green bastians. I loved the place and its been a long years where I stayed in a tent. My cellphone rang and Its a unknown number. Picked up the call and heard a know voice, it was the guy who gave me a place to stay. He took me on a city tour on his bike and l left me at the railway station. Booked my next destination train and I really enjoyed the view. I heard a group of people singing inside the train and few foreigners dancing around. I approached them and listened to some of the local songs. Later after sometime a man in late 30's sat near me and asked where are you from. I replied just 'India'. He was in a shock and excited to hear me story. We were talking for a long time and he took me to the pantry cart for some tea and snacks also to introduce me to his fellows. There were all music teachers in a school and that moment I figured something out. This world is not as cruel as you think and you won't be as lonely as you imagine. I found a handful of beautiful souls in a such a small country in a such a short time and I am excited for my next solo trip