I
had an unexpected experience while traveling independently in Asia prior to
joining the Overseas Adventure Travel Heart of India trip in 2014. What started
out as a breakdown of our transportation to the airport turned into an
unexpected cultural exchange. |
| Photo: Anita LaVasseur |
My
trip first started in Kuala Lumpur for one week, and from there I went to
Indonesia for one week before heading to New Delhi to start the two week OAT trip. I always give myself extra
time when I leave for the airport, and in this case it was necessary because
the airport was an hour away, we had to check out of the hotel by 10 am and our
flight left at 3 pm. Half way to the airport, the taxi got a flat tire and the
taxi driver had to pull over to the side of the road and figure out what to do.
The driver explained that since central Kuala Lumpur was a half hour away, it
was best for him to figure out how to fix the tire. The only problem, was that
it started to become obvious that he was unable to do that. When it became
clear we really were stuck, I stood on the side of the highway and tried to
hail down an available taxi for about 20 minutes. Unbeknownst to me, the friend
I was traveling with took a photo of me trying to get us a ride.
 |
| Photo: Anita Lavasseur |
Finally,
a very old grey car pulled up and the driver asked if he could help us. All the
taxis we saw on the way to the airport were full, and this very nice man
offered to drive us. My friend said that she would prefer to see if we can get
a taxi. We still had a few hours left, but it was the only flight that day leaving
Kuala Lumpur for Bali, so we had to do something soon. Here we were, two middle
aged women stranded on the side of the road, and a strange man was offering a
ride to help us out.
Finally,
my friend and I determined that this man was really a good Samaritan. He made
phone calls to help the taxi driver and opened his trunk to look for tools. We
even saw them exchange phone numbers.
In
the end, realizing he was really trying to help, we accepted his offer to the
airport. In the car we introduced each other, and his long Muslim name
made me laugh. I told him he had a very similar name as one of the 9/11
hijackers or master minds that was currently in the news and joked that he'd
never be able to get on a plane for the United States. He soberly said he was
aware of that, and this part of the conversation turned into a discussion about
the United States and our relationship with Muslim countries.
Once
at the airport, he helped us with our luggage. My friend and I opened our
wallets to pay him in some way for his kindness. He refused our money. He said
that he was a deeply religious man, and it was important for him to help Americans
realize that not all religious Muslims are the way they have been portrayed on
the news. Our being stranded on the side of the road, and his being able
to help us gave hm an opportunity that he might not have otherwise had.
 |
| Photo: Steve Schurtz |
Once
we were settled at the departure gate, and my friend got her latte and showed
me her photos of me hailing a taxi, the remainder of my time at the airport was
spent in reflection over this unexpected encounter. Things don't always go as
planned while traveling, but this experience was one of the many memorable ones
I had during my six -week sojourn around Asia. I tell people about it to this
day. I’m sure this kind stranger would be pleased.
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