Hitchhikers in Tiruvannamalai

I get around Tiru on a scooter. It’s easy to navigate the place whether I’m heading to the gym, the Arunachaleswarar Temple, or just grabbing lunch, I can zip around in no time.

One day I was getting ready to go out. I stepped outside, jumped on the scooter, and just as I was about to take off, I noticed a Labrador hanging around. As soon as I sat down, the Labrador jumped on too.

I couldn’t believe it. This guy wanted a ride.

I asked him to get off gently but he wouldn’t budge. I tried again and he’d fall off… and then immediately jump right back on. This went on for five minutes. Eventually, he gave up. I drove off, looking back at him watching me leave.

Since then, I’ve had all sorts of hitchhikers.

One day, I was just jumping on the scooter when a lady walked past and said, “Bus stand?”

I said, “No worries,” and dropped her off.

Another time, a woman asked for a lift to work. I took her there. She thanked me and said,

“You are always welcome in the shop.”

Another day, I was heading toward the main road when a guy waved me down. I told him I could take him to Ramana Ashram since I was eating opposite. As we arrived, he jumped off and said:

“I prayed to Lord Shiva to help me get a lift and you turned up.”

We both smiled and said, “Om Namah Shivaya.”

Today was another one of those days.

I was coming back from lunch when I saw an older lady standing in the street.

She asked for a lift.

“Om Namah Shivaya,” she said as she climbed on.

She asked to go to the bus stand, so I nodded and we took off. After about five minutes, once we reached the main road, she motioned for me to stop so I did.

She climbed off the scooter, then turned to me, pointed toward a nearby fruit stall… and then pointed at her mouth.

No words just gesture. But I got the message.

What kind of fruit?” I asked.

She started with mango. Then it turned into banana.

I could tell she was gently testing the boundaries of my generosity.

I bought her a kilo of mango and some bananas.

It came to 150 rupees.

I handed over a 200 rupee note.

The shopkeeper was a bit slow with the change which didn’t bother me but she started barking at him, telling him to hurry up and give her the money.

I laughed and said, “That’s my change!”

She looked at me, surprised then burst out laughing.

“Oh… okay.”

We both laughed.

I said “Om Namah Shivaya,” waved goodbye, and drove off.