Trusting I am where I am meant to be

The bus photos were taken a different day - when we took the bus to the market. There was no way I would have taken pictures that first trip! I was holding on too tight! I was up at the front of the bus and it was very crowded. These pictures let you see how pretty they are, though. :)

I held on tight to the pole - steadying myself as the bus careened along the windy roads of Mangalore, India. Breathe Janet. Trust that you are where you are meant to be. Trust that all is well. It was a prayer.

I clutched the note in my sweaty, nervous hand. “State Bank Bus Stand in Mangalore and take bus to Kateel. Get off at Yekkar MRPL Petrol Pump. Ask for chocolate factory.” My destination was Sadhu Farm - a volunteer opportunity I found on WorkAway. I flew into Mangalore from Amritsar and stayed in a hotel and was working my way towards a two week volunter stint, learning about cacao and the chocolate-making process.

I wasn’t confident that I was on the right bus. A kind woman, who I considered an angel, spoke enough English to help me know which bus to board. Since it was about two months into my trip, in addition to my rolling suitcase and backpack, I had a duffel full of souveniers - a lot to manage on a packed bus - where I was the only tourist and dripping in sweat in the essence of April humidity - no longer tourist season - hot.

I briefly let go of the pole, wiping the sweat from my face with my cotton handkerchief that emerged as one of my most important accessories in India. The bus lurched, sending me onto the lap of a seated passenger. Mortiified, I apologized - not that they understood my words and their eyes greeted me with a blank expression. I steadied myself, holding on tight.

A man made his way through the crowded bus. Showing him my note, he collected the fare. My personal angel had disembarked already but kindly instructed the ticket man of my destination. He would let me know when to get off the bus. Trust you are where you are meant to be, Janny.

I held on for about an hour - A silent prayer. What’s the worst that could happen?

The ticket man tapped my shoulder and pointed to the door. Time to get off. My stop. Here? I grabbed my bags and stepped down to the earth - the bus pulling away, leaving me on a quiet roadside.

I turned around as the bus pulled away and there it was - the MRPL Petrol pump! Somehow I was exactly where I was meant to be - which reminds us of life itself - our higher self knows - trust we are guided. Hold onto the pole for dear life. Try not to fall. And trust we’ll get there.

It felt like a miracle. I wheeled my luggage and hoisted the duffel onto a dusty red road towards the farm.

Time to learn about bean to bar - cacao plant to chocolate.

Time to receive a blessed experience.

Magic. hard work, grit, fun, teamwork, people, food. animals and stories. And sweat.

But I didn’t know that yet. All I knew was that I hoped I was where I was meant to be. Trust you are here for a reason, Janny.

More to come. Love and sat nam, Janny