I landed in Trivandrum, Kerala, feeling the hot, sticky weather. Took a 30-minute cab to Zostel Varkala, passing green coconut trees and busy roads. I was excited, thinking only about checking in and exploring Varkala's beaches. Got out of the cab, not knowing my phone fell from my pocket onto the road.
After 10 minutes, while filling zostel forms, I checked my pockets. No phone. My heart sank. Fully panicked, I thought it was gone forever. Ran outside, but the cab was long gone. Then, three smiling guys walked up, looking like local backpackers. One, in a simple t-shirt, held my phone. "Yours?" he asked in a Malayalam accent.
I was completely amazed. Why would they go out of their way to help someone they didn't even know? In that moment, it struck me that travel isn't just about beaches or pretty views, it's about the people you meet and the kindness they show you. That simple act meant more to me than any scenic photo I could've taken.
