Getting to Employee Orientation Program

Kishore 

After I came to US, I experienced grace of God in various ways. When I recollect those experiences I feel glad. The following is an incident that happened in Jan 2001. I joined the new company and I was attending office with help my colleagues by doing carpool. I just got my car license but did not rent car by that time. On Jan 22nd 2001 I had to go to a hotel instead of office to attend 2 day orientation program. This hotel was in Palo Alto downtown. Since this is little far from our office, I had to figure out a way of going to this hotel by myself. I spent quite some time in taking bus routes and bus timings on Friday and was ready on Monday to make an adventure of going to the Hotel by bus. We need to understand that in US bus frequency is not high as what we see in Indian cities. There is only one bus every half an hour.  What happened on that day was completely different from what I planned. Somehow I had the faith that I will get guidance and it happened. 

I woke up early and by 7 AM I went to bus stop just outside our apartment complex and waited for the bus to arrive at 7.15 AM. As I was waiting couple of other persons also came to bus stop. They are regular for the bus. In US buses always come on time. But on that particular day till 7.45 AM no bus came. It was cold outside and we all were wondering what happened. Finally one of the other person called a cab company and asked for a cab. The cab service rejected saying that it is very short notice to send a cab immediately and said that they cannot dispatch a cab. There we were anxious to get to our destination and not knowing why the regular bus did not come. Suddenly a cab driver came to us and asked whether we want cab. All of us were puzzled because cab service said they cannot send a cab and here was a cab driver asking whether we need a cab. Without asking further questions all of us got into the cab. The other two persons wanted to go to nearest BART Station (train service). Cab driver dropped them and then we proceeded to the hotel in Palo Alto which is around 25 miles far. 

I reached the hotel 30 minutes late at 8.45 AM. Later that day I realized that the day was Martin Luther King's day and on that particular day only limited bus service is available and that is the reason we didn't get the bus. 

When I think over the experience now, I wonder how I ever imagined I can catch the buses to Palo Alto and get to the hotel. I was so new to the place. Even after spending more than a year here I know getting on buses to make a similar travel now will not be easy. But at that time I had some strong faith inside me and know for sure that it was God's help that came to me during that day. 

Convenience of Bank 

When I had to attend the above mentioned two day program, I was also anxious to make a trip to bank where I opened my account and deposit couple of travellers' checks I have with me. I owe money to my friend who paid for me by credit card and unless I deposit money I can not issue a check. Going to a bank to open account was itself a task where I had to seek help of friends and even to make a deposit by going to a bank counter I need to seek help. I was feeling embarrassed to ask help for every small thing and hoped I can find an easier way. When I was attending the New employee program in hotel I quickly check bank locations nearby and was surprised to find a bank location in next street. So I quickly sneaked out during a coffee break and made a trip to the bank and deposited the checks and returned back to hotel. I was glad that I could complete this task without seeking help from anyone. I felt glad and was happy at the coincidence that bank counter happened to be very near to hotel and certainly felt this as another divine blessing.

Jai Sriram, Jai Hanuman

April 2002