STUCK? SO WHAT, NEVER GIVE UP!

What will you do if you’re lost in a new country? Yes, this incident happened with a girl immediately after two days of her landing in New York city. The series of events that unfolded in a single day and the way she handled the situation will definitely boost your inner strength to something called “NEVER GIVE UP”. 

ABOUT THE GIRL 

The girl Siri landed in New York, who was completely unaware of the new place she was into and took up a pre-booked rented accommodation at Long Island City stay which is the eastern-most part of the city. 

HOW IT ALL STARTED 

It started when her pen friend Shraddha from Mumbai who joined the same school already acquainted in the city and asked her to explore the new place accompanying her. Since Siri neither had a US cellular connection nor proper understanding of the route, so she was hesitant to go. Shraddha guided her by saying “just reach Mineola, take a Long Island railroad train and get down at Penn station, and we will meet at Starbucks.” It sounded as easy as having a cup of coffee. 

ITINERARY 

On that day Siri asked her house owner for the route and coins for the bus fare. The landlady explained to her to take the bus N22, get off at Mineola Station and take a ticket of $12 from a machine, for Penn station. While coming back, again board a train to Heamsted and get down at Mineola and take the bus to N24 to reach the New Hyde Park Clyde street. She also made her aware that before Mineola the train will pass through Jamaica, Queens, New Hyde Park, and so on. While returning she should get down at Wall Street. This is where she misinterpreted the information. 

What do you think will happen next? 

REACHING TO PENN STATION 

Siri kept exact coins for the bus fare, and in about three minutes the bus arrived and after a while she got down at Mineola station. She walked to the other side through the pedestrian bridge for the LIRR train and asked where she could find the ticket machine. A gentleman told her it will be in front of the office.  Siri couldn’t find the office, however, she noticed two machines similar to a vending machine, she tried to figure out how to get tickets and insert her cash, it was a puzzle for her. A lady who was observing all this, came up and explained how to get the ticket and also informed her that the train will be on the other side. The train was about to arrive in a minute, Siri ran over the bridge to the other side like a Ninja, finally boarded the train. She travelled half the way in tension not knowing whether she has taken the correct train or not. Finally, she reached the penn station.

WHAT HAPPENED IN PENN STATION?

As per the plan, Siri waited near Starbucks searching for Shraddha with full attention. After 20 minutes she started feeling nervous and was building a backup plan. She went to the CVS next to Starbucks asking for a quarter change to call her friend. When she couldn’t connect with her friend, her anxiety increased. As time passed from 45 minutes to 90 minutes she got terrified and began asking the passers by if she could get access to WhatsApp to contact her friend. A lady agreed to lend her phone and use it with her knowledge. Finally, she could speak to Shraddha after a few rings and asked to meet her in 15 minutes. 

EXPLORING “NEW YORK CITY” 

The moment Siri saw Shraddha, her tension melted away and they began roaming around the city. They walked through Time Square, had lunch in Chipotle, rented a bicycle and rode on the streets and reached Central Park where they created unforgettable memories and had the best time of their life. They gave back the cycle and walked towards the station. Shraddha took the subway while Siri went towards Penn Station. 

FINDING WAY BACK HOME 

As the train started moving, Siri was exhausted, she deboarded at Queen’s Stop instead at Mineola. 

On coming out of the station, she discovered that there was neither a bus stop nor shops where she could inquire. A very few people were around to whom she didn’t feel safe to ask. So, she kept walking in search of bus stops. After reaching the bus stop she boarded a bus to New Hyde Park, which dropped her on the wrong side of the town. She continued walking for 500m, where she found a comic book store. The shop owner was kind enough to give a printout of the map. 

Siri gathered all her courage and kept going till she got into the bus. Pointing at the map she asked the driver where she should get down to reach her place. Driver stopped the bus and analysed the map “I don’t think anyone can be more humble than this man.” Since the street name was a minute information and there was no stop for that street, so he dropped her somewhere close by. He was also not sure whether she was in the right direction. She kept on walking, her throat got dried up, her eyes turned weak, but she didn’t give up. Due to the exhaustion, she couldn’t feel her fingers, her face had turned pink and her anxiety was accelerating as the time for sunset was drawing close. 

It was not easy to just barge into strangers and seek help as they may be dangerous. Siri requested a lady passing in a car to look at the navigation app to find her place. She directed her by saying it’s not that far, just about 600 meters and had to take the certain turns to reach. It was about to get dark and her brain stopped functioning. Siri asked her if she could repeat. After a small discussion, the lady offered a ride. She was an angel sent by God to help. Siri was overwhelmed and thanked her. 

CONCLUSION 

Giving up is just an excuse. 

Siri could have given up at any point in her journey, but she believed in herself and kept moving. 

Life is a journey of challenges, there may be blind paths, uncomfortable situations, a stormy path to achieve goals, and many personal obstacles. No matter what negative force is pulling you back, always look for a ray of hope, never give up and reach where you want to be. 

“Never giving up” is a mantra for success, isn’t it?