More often than not, taxi rides consist of an uncaring silence between both passengers, vigilance for anything suspicious on the part of the commuter, a fare meter that seems to tick too fast and too-Pinoy radio music in the background.
However, taxi rides, even those taken solo at almost midnight, can also be surprisingly caring, innocent, and insightful.
******
I was on my way home from working almost 7hrs at a Fort coffee shop. I’ve had two (or maybe three) servings of coffee for the afternoon and wasn’t feeling too well. Naturally, I was quiet and was struggling with the ill-feeling. Finally, when I felt I'm going to burst, I suddenly exclaimed to the driver, breaking the default silence, that I was feeling nauseous.
I didn’t know what I was expecting from that statement, but he kindly responded and suggested that I transfer upfront. So, I did. And we started talking.
According to him, coffee is intoxicating just like alcohol. (Something I’ve only heard from him). And that I might be on a caffeine-high and experiencing something like an alcohol hangover.
His statements seemed logical. And I mostly believed him. Soon enough, the conversation turned to our working dilemmas. And I saw that we’re actually pretty much alike in that category, although we’re generations and fates apart.
He was a BS Commerce graduate; and I a BS Management. He dreaded the typical 8-5 work shift; I do, too. He hated working for a boss who never acknowledges enough his achievements; I fear that situation, too. He enjoys being exposed to different people and learning from them; I want that, too.
It was amazing to coincidentally bump into a complete stranger who shares the same sentiments I was having at that exact moment. It felt like we were in the same situation -- that he was still in the "okay-I-am-done-with-school-what's-next" dilemma too. Even though it was quite apparent that we were already in different stages of our lives, he seemed like he was as yearning for life's real adventure as I was.
I no longer got to ask about his family or whether he's finally happy with being a taxi driver. But I guess, foregoing a secured banking career for one that literally takes him places and poses opportunity to interact with all sorts of people, says something.
Anyway, he made me rethink (for the nth time) about my situation, but this time, in a calm, composed and insightful manner. I can say he was one of the few persons who helped me perceive my self better. More than that, he made me realize how much I can learn from just riding a taxi.
It was definitely one of those magical experiences. Hope to have more!
