One day with with 'bajaj' driver Junaedi<\/p>\n
Born in 1957 in Jakarta, Junaedi earns his living driving a
\nbajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) around the narrow streets
\nsurrounding the markets of Central and South Jakarta. He lives in
\nDepok, South of Jakarta, with his wife Eva, four sons and three
\ndaughters.<\/p>\n
\"I love the mornings. The sunshine makes me feel healthy. I
\nwake up at 4:00 and do the usual things of washing and saying the
\nmorning prayer. Then I go to the station and take a train to
\nManggarai. From there I go to Pasar Rumput where I have something
\nto eat, usually rice with some fish, at one of the warung (food
\nstall).<\/p>\n
I can't drive a bajaj in Depok because there aren't any. There
\nare just bemos (public minivans) and becak (pedicabs) there. So,
\nI have to go to where the bajaj are.<\/p>\n
A Chinese man owns the bajaj I drive, and after I finish
\neating I go to the back of the market where he lives and get it.
\nI work for half a day and usually finish up at about 2 p.m.
\nSomeone else takes over the bajaj then. Each day, I pay the owner
\nRp 15,000 in rent and make about Rp 20,000 for myself.<\/p>\n
Then I either go out onto the streets or wait at the market
\nfor passengers. I like driving bajaj. Before I did this, I used
\nto sell fish at Pasar Rumput. But then they renovated the market
\nand increased the rent. I couldn't afford to pay it, so I became
\na taxi driver. I did that for two years. But it's better being a
\nbajaj driver because when I was driving a taxi I had to work long
\nhours and into the night. This way, I can be with my family and
\ntake care of them.<\/p>\n
When I am driving the bajaj about, I think about money and
\nhope I will have a lot of passengers. But I am happy with my
\nlife; I don't have any worries as long as I can take care of my
\nfamily and myself. I also think about other things. I wonder what
\nother countries are like; are they the same as on television or
\ndifferent. I'd like to find out one day.<\/p>\n
But I don't think that will happen for a good while though, as
\nit is difficult to get money these days. Passengers always try to
\nget the cheapest price from me. I wish the politicians would do
\nsomething about the situation in the country, so that people
\nwould be happier.<\/p>\n
My biggest hope is that my children can finish school and find
\ngood jobs. I hope they can be independent when they grow up. For
\nmyself, I would really like to some day own my own bajaj, but I
\ndon't know when that will be. It's just a dream at the moment.<\/p>\n
I think we have to accept our lives; there's no point in
\nreaching for things we can't achieve. It's better to be happy
\nwith what we have. Otherwise, people just get themselves into
\ntrouble and that leads to all sorts of difficulties.<\/p>\n
I get very sad when I see and hear about the students fighting
\nand killing each other. They should learn to live together
\npeacefully. I really don't understand what it's all about.<\/p>\n
Both my parents have passed away, but Eva's parents are still
\nalive. They live in Bogor. Maybe some day we will move there. I'd
\nlike to because it's cheaper there and also a cleaner place to
\nlive. I don't smoke or drink as I try to look after my health.
\nBut in Jakarta, the pollution is very bad and I think it is not
\ngood to be inhaling all the fumes when I am driving. Besides
\nthat, it is so hot in the bajaj that sometimes I think I am going
\nto pass out. I can only work for half a day -- anything longer
\nand I would be too tired to work.<\/p>\n
When I finish driving for the day, I pray and have some lunch,
\nagain at a warung. Then it's time to go home. I look forward to
\nthis part of the day. In the afternoon, I help Eva with the
\nchildren and preparation of food such as chicken and vegetables.
\nWe have seven young children and they take a lot of work. Eva is
\nhappy that I am able to help her with them. When I was driving a
\ntaxi, I was away from home for long periods of time and it was
\ndifficult for her.<\/p>\n
The house we live in is rented. I pay Rp 60,000 per month.
\nIt's a basic house, with just an open area, but it's cheaper than
\nrenting one closer to the city center.<\/p>\n
I help the children with their schoolwork in the late
\nafternoon. Then I like to watch television, particularly if there
\nis a good program on. One of my favorite pastimes is playing
\nchess. I play at home in the evenings with my friends.<\/p>\n
I think that religion is essential for life and also more
\nimportant than anything else -- more important than making money,
\nfor example. It's what gives us hope.<\/p>\n
I go to bed early, about 9 p.m., because I have to be fresh
\nfor my passengers the following morning.\" (as told to William
\nFurney)<\/p>",
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