Discovering Jamaica Through the Eyes of a Taxi Driver

by: Dr Leo Gilling

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Renting a automobile and taking the wheel once I journey to Jamaica was at all times my first choice to journey round Jamaica. Typically, nevertheless, that seems like a missed alternative—a barrier to really uncovering our breathtaking island’s folks, hidden gems, and vibrant pulse. On this final journey, it was completely different. This time, I made a decision to embrace the rhythm of Kingston by means of the lens of its taxi drivers, and what unfolded was an journey that left me nostalgic, exhilarated, and deeply related to the soul of the place I name dwelling.

For this journey, I turned to On-time and El-Shadi, two taxi operators within the Kingston space. Frankly, there was a time when the considered hopping right into a taxi round Kingston would ship shivers down my backbone. Nonetheless, two years in the past, in desperation, a buddy referred to as a cab to take me from uptown to downtown. To my shock, it was not only a journey however an expertise. The motive force was a delight, and my worry had melted away by the point we reached our vacation spot. Quick ahead to my final journey per week in the past, and I’m dialing the taxi firm, assured they’ll ship a cab inside 5 minutes. Environment friendly? Completely. However this final journey? It was greater than environment friendly, it was unforgettable.

Essentially the most thrilling journey was the journey from Pegasus to the Early Childhood Fee in downtown Kingston. It was roughly 2 p.m., and as we pulled out of the resort, we had been instantly swallowed by the chaotic symphony of Oxford Street’s afternoon visitors. Vehicles had been bumper to bumper, horns blared, and the solar beat down relentlessly. Nonetheless, my driver was cool as a cucumber. He didn’t flinch. With a fast left flip, he reduce off one other taxi that will have sparked street rage wherever else, however the different driver merely yielded as in the event that they had been a part of some unstated dance.

Then, to my confusion, he headed east. East? I assumed. We’re speculated to be going south! However I had my colleague with me, so I made a decision to take a seat again, calm down, and see the place this journey would take us. What adopted was a heart-pounding, white-knuckle, but completely exhilarating half-hour.  “This man navigated by means of the slim lanes of South Kingston, streets the place I’d not be caught driving or strolling, day or night time. The drive appeared to stretch into infinity as my arteries had been busting by means of their vessel. Whereas my nerves had been uncontrolled, the taxi driver’s face was as calm because the Caribbean Sea at daybreak. Not a twitch, not a bead of sweat. I assumed then, “I’m already right here; I can’t soar out.”  His composure was my anchor. If he was not frightened, why ought to I be?”

Taxi Enterprise in Jamaica

To regular my nerves, I struck up a dialog. I requested him about his taxi enterprise, and it was as if I’d unlocked a treasure trove of tales. He wasn’t only a taxi driver—he was a farmer, a father, a person with a imaginative and prescient. He instructed me how he balanced each careers, working 12-hour shifts 5 days per week, shuttling passengers with precision whereas tending to his farm with equal ardour on weekends. His purchasers had been his lifeblood, and he took satisfaction in making certain their consolation and security. However it was when he spoke of his youngsters that his voice softened. He was the form of father who dropped them off and picked them up from faculty each day, regardless of how packed his schedule was.

Speaking About Crime in Jamaica

Then, the dialog took a flip. We started discussing crime, which weighs closely on each Jamaican’s coronary heart. I’ve at all times believed training is the important thing to solving our crime crisis, however listening to him echo my ideas was each stunning and refreshing. He argued that the federal government’s patchwork method was not sustainable—that we would have liked to concentrate on early childhood growth and craft short-term and long-term methods to scale back crime. His insights had been sharp, and his perspective was grounded within the actuality of on a regular basis life. Once we reached our vacation spot, I used to be not simply impressed however impressed.

His title was Kevon.   We organized for him to select us up later that day. He was there on time and ready.  Upon reaching our locations, I requested my colleague to pay and tip him individually.  My colleague instructed me later that her tip was beneficiant. It didn’t matter which route he took; we had been too busy basking within the heat of his tales and the safety of his presence. I solely had sooner or later left in Kingston, however I referred to as him twice extra to soak in his knowledge and the consolation of his firm.

Thanks, Kevon—although that’s the solely title we knew, your impression was unforgettable.

Soul of Jamaica

Finally, this journey jogged my memory that Jamaica is not only concerning the sights and scenes however concerning the folks. The taxi drivers, the farmers, the fathers, the dreamers. They’re the heartbeat of this island, and thru their eyes, I rediscovered a chunk of myself. So, in case you are ever in Kingston, don’t simply hire a automobile. Name On time or El-Shadi taxi providers. Allow them to take you on a journey—not simply to your vacation spot however into the soul of Jamaica. Belief me, you’ll not remorse it.