I returned from Munich to Amsterdam to meet my friends and travel back to India with them the next day. I was in transit the whole day, with one big check-in bag, a cabin bag, a haversack, and a sling bag with my passport tickets, etc. I had to take a bus from Schiphol bus depot to XYZ place (I forgot the name). All the research about connecting buses went for a toss at the bus depot. I discovered the bus I needed to reach point XYZ did not run on Friday afternoons. That was a bummer! ☹

I caught the eye of another bus driver, approached him, and told him my plight. He heard me out and suggested that he’d drop me at a point from where I’d have to take a tram to reach my destination. Grateful for the suggestion, I hopped onto the bus. 😊

I dismounted the bus and boarded the connecting tram at the given point. I bought a ticket and requested the tram driver to tell me when my stop arrived. He agreed. Uncomfortable at the long ride, I went up to him. He looked at me and apologized for forgetting my stop. He stopped in the middle of nowhere.

Tram driver: Get down now. Take the tram from the opposite platform to reach your destination. Use the same ticket. I’m sorry I forgot to drop you at your stop.

Tensed, I got down. There was not a soul in sight. I saw a tram at a distance coming from the opposite side. I kept watching it.

Tram driver – Go, cross through the tracks, and wait on the opposite platform.

Me: Wait a tram is coming.

Tram driver: That’s the tram you need to board. Go quickly. I’ve informed the driver to pick you up.

Flustered, I took my bags trying to walk quickly through the tracks. I reached the platform and the tram pulled up alongside. Afraid I’d miss the tram I tried to walk fast pulling two bags. Just as luck would have it, the wheel of one bag got locked and I fell flat on my face. Hurt and dazed I pulled myself up together and sat in the tram. I was feeling embarrassed and awkward. 🤦‍♀️

The tram driver_2 had seen me fall. He gave me time to settle down and asked me to sip water. He asked if I was OK and ready to go. I gave him a thumbs up. My face was flushed, and my knees and elbows were bruised.

Soon, the tram driver announced my stop name and ensured I got down. I went to the driver and thanked him for his patience and sensitive kindness. The tram driver instructed me to reach the bus stop on the other side. He told me the tall structure near me was an elevator with a connecting flight of steps on the other side. I summarized his instructions; he approved it and left. 

I took a deep breath, used the elevator, and walked down the stairs on the other side only to see empty roads. There was no “bus stop”. I saw a stone bench and walked towards it. The place was quiet and a little eerie (uncanny). I tried calling my friends to inform them I’d reached the pre-decided bus stop. However, they were out of reach and I hoped to be at the right place. I observed the road, the trees, and the plants. At that moment I felt alone. 🥺

After 10 long minutes, a young teenager arrived and I was reassured that I was at the right place. I spoke with him more out of relief. Soon my friends arrived, and we took a bus to the hotel.

Phew, what a day! It was filled with emotions and drama enough to cover my entire trip. Thankfully, angels saved me in the nick of time!!  😇