One day with with 'bajaj' driver Junaedi

One day with with 'bajaj' driver Junaedi

Born in 1957 in Jakarta, Junaedi earns his living driving a
bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) around the narrow streets
surrounding the markets of Central and South Jakarta. He lives in
Depok, South of Jakarta, with his wife Eva, four sons and three
daughters.

"I love the mornings. The sunshine makes me feel healthy. I
wake up at 4:00 and do the usual things of washing and saying the
morning prayer. Then I go to the station and take a train to
Manggarai. From there I go to Pasar Rumput where I have something
to eat, usually rice with some fish, at one of the warung (food
stall).

I can't drive a bajaj in Depok because there aren't any. There
are just bemos (public minivans) and becak (pedicabs) there. So,
I have to go to where the bajaj are.

A Chinese man owns the bajaj I drive, and after I finish
eating I go to the back of the market where he lives and get it.
I work for half a day and usually finish up at about 2 p.m.
Someone else takes over the bajaj then. Each day, I pay the owner
Rp 15,000 in rent and make about Rp 20,000 for myself.

Then I either go out onto the streets or wait at the market
for passengers. I like driving bajaj. Before I did this, I used
to sell fish at Pasar Rumput. But then they renovated the market
and increased the rent. I couldn't afford to pay it, so I became
a taxi driver. I did that for two years. But it's better being a
bajaj driver because when I was driving a taxi I had to work long
hours and into the night. This way, I can be with my family and
take care of them.

When I am driving the bajaj about, I think about money and
hope I will have a lot of passengers. But I am happy with my
life; I don't have any worries as long as I can take care of my
family and myself. I also think about other things. I wonder what
other countries are like; are they the same as on television or
different. I'd like to find out one day.

But I don't think that will happen for a good while though, as
it is difficult to get money these days. Passengers always try to
get the cheapest price from me. I wish the politicians would do
something about the situation in the country, so that people
would be happier.

My biggest hope is that my children can finish school and find
good jobs. I hope they can be independent when they grow up. For
myself, I would really like to some day own my own bajaj, but I
don't know when that will be. It's just a dream at the moment.

I think we have to accept our lives; there's no point in
reaching for things we can't achieve. It's better to be happy
with what we have. Otherwise, people just get themselves into
trouble and that leads to all sorts of difficulties.

I get very sad when I see and hear about the students fighting
and killing each other. They should learn to live together
peacefully. I really don't understand what it's all about.

Both my parents have passed away, but Eva's parents are still
alive. They live in Bogor. Maybe some day we will move there. I'd
like to because it's cheaper there and also a cleaner place to
live. I don't smoke or drink as I try to look after my health.
But in Jakarta, the pollution is very bad and I think it is not
good to be inhaling all the fumes when I am driving. Besides
that, it is so hot in the bajaj that sometimes I think I am going
to pass out. I can only work for half a day -- anything longer
and I would be too tired to work.

When I finish driving for the day, I pray and have some lunch,
again at a warung. Then it's time to go home. I look forward to
this part of the day. In the afternoon, I help Eva with the
children and preparation of food such as chicken and vegetables.
We have seven young children and they take a lot of work. Eva is
happy that I am able to help her with them. When I was driving a
taxi, I was away from home for long periods of time and it was
difficult for her.

The house we live in is rented. I pay Rp 60,000 per month.
It's a basic house, with just an open area, but it's cheaper than
renting one closer to the city center.

I help the children with their schoolwork in the late
afternoon. Then I like to watch television, particularly if there
is a good program on. One of my favorite pastimes is playing
chess. I play at home in the evenings with my friends.

I think that religion is essential for life and also more
important than anything else -- more important than making money,
for example. It's what gives us hope.

I go to bed early, about 9 p.m., because I have to be fresh
for my passengers the following morning." (as told to William
Furney)