Somehow this turns out very exciting to me though it would freak out most of them. Travelling with three strangers all by myself in a land where I had never been before. I could have chosen to retire to fright all my travel, but somehow I knew this was going to turn out a whole new adventure for me.
So it all started with me looking for a rideshare on the Craigslist. There, I start my journey with 3 unknown faces-Thomas, David and "the weird guy". Thomas, an Afro-american lawyer by profession; as he introduced himself, helped me get the luggage on to his 'blue'(more of a grey worn out shade of rains) car's back seat. The car seems more of a truck as it moved down the road. The seats weren't 'comfy' per se so I sat grumpy in the corner of a seat hoping to reach the destination asap. David seemed like a cheerful American retired professor of Geokinesis (I didn't know what it meant until I 'Googled' it), he talked about his hobbies and profession and his three divorced wives and estranged kids, gleefully. Thomas showed few pictures of his bus and his cat- Emily and merrily talked about being glad that it was a wonderful weather for such a long journey. I tried to grasp every word of their conversation trying to get as much information about them as possible.
It was some 4.30 pm on 101 freeway and some 280ish miles away from where I had to be. As I peep out of my rear seat window, I get a panoramic view of the mountains on one side and an infinite green patch of plains on the other. The serenity I experienced,away from the university's bustle, cannot be described in words.The weather was just perfect for a long travel. Beautiful california palm trees gave a peek-a-boo at the roadway inns and somehow they always give me a feeling of pride to be a resident of California. (I love California!!) The "weird guy" seemed too disinterested to enjoy the weather and the ride. How could he ignore such a wonderful weather! Just when I was enjoying the California feeling in me, Thomas points out a 'Taste of India' dine-in hoarding peeking out of a field of unknown plantations, almost unnoticed. I smiled back trying to keep the conversation as brief as possible. I was totally enjoying the drive but deep down my heart I still had the fear of being alone amongst strangers. My throat went dry several times and I just hoped the mirages of my home ended soon.
When I woke up (yes, I had fallen asleep!), I found ourselves stuck amongst a two lane traffic jam on a freeway and I see myself staring at a sign board showing-"Snowfall expected-Roads closed ahead". I could have cried out loud for help! I start cursing my fate as we stopped by at a joint to ask for a map for detour. The detour path seemed some 80 miles more than the current one. I started conversing with them gradually but the "weird guy" sat unaffected lost in his own world not worried what the evening had in store for us. With no other choice we start riding again. And the worst fears came true, it started raining heavily. And before we could realize that, it started snowing! Thomas turned around and I could see a drop on his brow,worried as he said, "There are no chains in the car!" Snow in California isn't expected so it wasn't really him to be blamed. We saw neighboring cars taking immediate exits,as we bravely waded our car through the stormy weather. Another signboard "Drive slow: Snow/Ice ahead!" Nobody reacted to it, silence gloomed. The "weird guy" wouldn't mind the snow, he snored his way to glory.
I quickly got my cellphone just to find out I couldn't make any calls. The snow on the window panes looked scary as it grew darker. In no time, the traffic was shifted to one lane and the freeway closed-cars stopped. Snowfall worsened and our car was stuck in the middle of a snow clad freeway. All the miseries in life had to dawn on us that day! Though it was dark, I could figure out the hills and the trees around were completely covered with fur-white snow. The moon was the only source of light as the car lights started giving up. The heater in the car gave up and I tried to get cosy further inside the corner of the seat.
Four hours! still stuck at the same place. Praying to god in my mind, "Knock Knock!",suddenly we hear someone knocking on my window pane-it was a cop throwing a flash of light by his torch. He pacified everyone of us that soon the freeway would be opened and the cars could disperse.The traffic dispersed but the narrow lanes looked scary as our car skid along the slippery roads. I pitied Thomas for having had to drive for so many hours. It was almost midnight and we were still a well 100 miles away. As he drew away from the snow clad hills, we felt a sigh of relief.
As it struck 4 in the morning, I realized I could call my friend. I got down and hurriedly hugged her who was anxiously waiting to receive me. As I got down my luggage from the backseat, I promised myself never to travel with strangers , not every experience would be as safe as this one for sure! I am thankful to Thomas and David (and even the "weird guy") to have helped me get back home safely through this adventurous experience.That night will surely be cherished all my life.
