Colourful People

for the past week, due to transportation problems, I have been going home by taxi.

Now what do we know about these working-class heroes?? They pick us up, send us to our destination, occasionally con us of our money?? that may be, but who are these men behind the wheel??

Taxi 1- the driver is a man who is painfully aware of the dangers of his smoking habits. Alas, after two decades of smoking, he feels that he could no longer fight his addiction. His comment: "Lebih baik dari ambik dadah" (better than taking drugs). I agree.

Taxi 2- sullen and dull man. that's it.

Taxi 3- a timid little man. when I told him of my destination, he nodded quietly. then he asked me of the route i had in mind. when i told him, he suggested an alternate route. he describe it to me and i realised it was much nearer. saved me a few bucks. My conclusion- a professional and pleasant man who knows his job.

Taxi 4- the most interesting one of all. he used to be a sailor and has set foot on 2/3 of the lands on Earth. I was sceptical at first, but he spoke good English and had good knowledge and good description of places that I have been as well as never been before. he also works as a part time musician. His comments on poverty- "They're trying to help the poor in Africa, but in London, here we already have poor people. One can never understand poverty unless they've mixed around with those people".

He also has interesting views on the politics here. "Those politicians trying to politicise religion, they're just making a mockery of God"

Suprisingly though, he supports the current PM.

He is also a really devout Christian. His quotes: "Our conscience is our best friend and our worst enemy. Apart from ourselves, God is the only one who knows what lies in our consciousness. God also made us capable of love. Therefore, why focus on the negative things like hate when we can go positive with love? Remove the bad things in our conscience, and keep the good ones. Then we can feel the Almighty's love"

....something like that anyway...can't remember it all....

My conclusion-a good Christian and a good man. I didn't mind getting stuck in the jam listening to his thoughts.

Taxi 5- just had one interesting comment. "the Government want to give Shah Rukh Khan the title Datuk? Why the hell for? He's not even Malaysian!!"

so these are just a few of the personalities i met in those taxi rides. i have been fortunate to meet these (except driver no. 2) wonderful people and it has been a good experience for me.

Except for number 2, these people that could do our nation proud...if the "people in charge" ever bother to acknowledge them.

-The Stag-