Neaz Subhan
Episode 4 –
The future bright; the dark pass
THE slang “life in London” puzzled Ryan during the journey to the restaurant. At first he didn’t comprehend what his Uncle meant. Slowly he realised how much Uncle Benji said with just those three words.

He reflected on his life thus far and became very conscious of the assets he possesses. His expensive luxury SUV, was always taken for granted. For him it was just another car. He realises that such thinking was a product of the country’s swift transformation.

As the memories rushed back, Ryan recalled that the current daily traffic congestions were unheard of fifteen years ago when he was just ten. Then, only a few minibuses and hire cars were present and were woefully inadequate for the many thousands that yearned for timely and efficient transportation. He remembered seeing huge crowds in and around city car parks in the evenings. Many would walk long distances in expectation to join the buses before they enter the parks.

In the mornings, thousands lined the various roadways awaiting transportation. Often, workers and schoolchildren were late. The long waits and walks added to the state of tiredness many were already in. These images left an imprint on his young mind. He wondered what it was like to be forced into such situations; situations he was able to avoid since his parents had arranged transportation to take him and others to and from school.

He recalled what a teacher once said in relation to getting to work. The teacher noted that, while being a student, he, another and two city employees, had to awake a car owner named “Pazhack” at 05:30 hrs. “Pazhack”, who lived by the roadside, was the only person in the village to own a hire car at that time. If the teacher didn’t travel with him on any given morning, the day was lost. In addition to awaking “Pazhack”; they had to push the old car before it could have started. The car battery was faulty and “Pazhack” could not afford a new one.

Occasionally, one wheel was flat and had to be changed by the now regular “special” passengers. Then, new tyres were beyond the reach of most car owners. The inner tubes had numerous patches. Even some patches had patches. “Pazhack’s” car jack ensured that changing the wheel was as arduous as the current city council managing the city. “Corns” were proof of not only the passengers’ forced loyalty to “Pazhack”, but testimony to what people endured for basic transportation needs.

Often, engine oil, which accumulated under the car, was used on the jack to lessen the arduousness of changing the wheel. To compound the situation, a three-foot gradient existed between “Pazhack’s” garage floor and the public road. The car first had to be pushed up the steep incline for the real pushing to start. Getting the car up was as arduous as changing the wheel; five to ten attempts tops. Thankfully they didn’t have to worry about oncoming traffic; there was basically none.

Those routines created four healthy passengers who were always drenched with perspiration. However, none was ever noticed on “Pazhack”. The uncomfortable ride along the pothole-ridden road was exacerbated since “Pazhack’s” excuse for a car couldn’t even attain the speed the limit permitted. This ensured little or no breeze to cool the sweating quartet. They were wet even during the drought!

Ryan now understood why “Pazhack” never once offered a reduction in the fare. He “Pazhack” needed every cent to keep his old car moving and to maintain his family of five. He realises that the “Pazhack saga” was repeated across the country then. Now, people are no longer in dire need of transportation; the supply exceeds the demands with a vast number of Guyanese families owning vehicles. Ryan cannot envisage life without owning a vehicle. He remembered the joy his father and the family felt when their first car was bought fourteen years ago.

Now buying a car is as easy as buying a shirt with many students driving to institutions of learning and some families having more than one vehicle. Some wives are now independent of their husbands with regards to transportation needs. Some husbands in this scenario are not very comfortable since their wives can easily reach their “watering” holes.

That aside, Ryan is aware that over one thousand vehicles are being registered every month. Roads, which were once bare, are inadequate for the unprecedented and growing number of up-to-date vehicles here.

He realises that vehicles is just one area that he took for granted. Computers are now ubiquitous and soon families will receive laptops as efforts are ongoing to make Guyana and Guyanese fully computer literate. A computer is no longer a luxury. This took vision and astute leadership demonstrated by President Jagdeo.

As Ryan turned into the well-lit parking lot, he wondered what obtained in the past with regards to electricity. He cannot imagine life without it. Given his upbringing in a rapidly developing Guyana, he knows that the future is bright and is extremely grateful that the dark past has gone. Uncle Benji looked in amazement at the restaurant. He couldn’t believe that such modern structures exist here. The only thing on his mind is if they serve “baigan choka” and roti.

To be continued on Sunday…