I currently live in a city I haven’t always lived in. It’s a
nice city. It has its quirks, like most things and many of us do. I can’t say I love
it here but I definitely love it more than some of the places I've had the
opportunity of living in.
Like most visitors or new inhabitants of a city, I rely heavily
on the public transport system to get around. There’s an entire assortment of
choices when it comes to public transport here, you can opt for those cute
little three wheeler autos, cabs and even the bus. The three wheeler autos are
my preferred choice because you don’t often have to wait for it (like a bus)
and it shields you enough from the harsh sun.
I live in one corner of the city which doesn't offer much
socially but which has the basics a normal lifestyle needs. One actually doesn't have much to complain about here if one chooses not to.
I work in the other end of the city and commuting across the
city is now a habit for me, its part of my life. Working at thus so far a
distance helped me understand the city’s roads better. Not that I know every
nook and corner of the city, but I definitely knew how to get by. It’s
important to know how to get by, in every phase of your life, if nothing else.
I had to return from work the other day and as always hailed
the nearest three wheeler auto I could find. I usually settle back in the
backseat with my music in an attempt to enjoy the long ride back. This day, my
auto driver decided to keep my mind on its toes because he chose to take a
different route.
After having explored 3 different routes to get me from
where I stay to where I needed to go every day, I had honed in on one that
seemed the shortest, safest and quickest.
The minute my new auto driver of the moment turned right
where I thought he should have turned left, my senses peaked. I considered
hollering and asking him which route he was taking when something inside me
stopped me. That same something told me to watch and observe where exactly this
route although new could lead me.
See, the thing is, I’m new to the city. I knew where I had
to go but I didn't exactly know how to get there.
I sat upright and totally alert while my auto driver of the
moment swerved through the heavy traffic in the sweltering heat. I watched and
tried to place where I was by thinking of the map of the city in my head. But I had
no idea.
Although, if directions came into play, I at least knew I was heading
toward where I had to be.
Halfway through the journey when I still couldn't identify
where I was, I had to fight the urge to ask him which route he was using and
whether it was the right one. Again, my inner voice won and I kept quiet.
As I sat there looking out, I suddenly realized that I had
entered an area I was familiar with. I finally knew where I was and I could
place everything around me. I started relaxing a little and let go of my
inhibitions as the roads seemed familiar once again and the surroundings seemed like
home. I knew where I wanted to go but I didn't know how to get there. But I
eventually found my way. Or the way found me. I think that’s what important too
in the end. To know where you have to go. It won’t matter if you don’t know how
to get there, as long as you begin the journey.
