Petros has a Saturday landscaping job in Amanzimtoti. It is not that far from where we stay, but it is right at the top of a very long, steep hill. He has been putting in extra time during the week completing the bamboo pathway that he designed, and his health, right now, is not that robust.
I offer to give him a lift to his job on the Saturday mornings, just to help him to get there fresh, to work for the day. As usual I got out the car just before 7:15, closed the gate of my garage and waited. Eventually at 7:30 Bianca was put back in the garage and I went upstairs to get on with my day.
He had overslept – and was so apologetic when he eventually surfaced at 8 a.m that I took him anyway.
I feel so sorry for all the people around here who only have Shanks Pony to ride. There is no bus service and the taxi operators obviously don’t do a drive around the suburbs looking for passengers!
Even if there were these additional forms of transport available, the cost would make it difficult to justify.
I see the old and the lame walking up Adams Road on their way back to their homes after being in the CBD. Until you experience the discomfort of trying to use a crutch to move around on when you are in desperate pain, it means nothing to you to drive past them without a second thought.
Before the crime became so prevalent, I would stop the car and offer to take the old Gran or Grandad up the hill to their destination. We all used to do it. Now, none of us are prepared to stop the car and offer someone a lift. This is just another way that the crime has affected each and every one of us.
There is a Chinese proverb which reads, “The twisted tree lives it’s life, while the straight tree ends up in planks”
What an insightful way of looking at things. The accompanying photograph illustrates it so well.
We must hold on to our originality, and own it.
When you see me riding my Brompton with bright leggings, fluorescent orange backpack and helmet, just smile to yourself and know that I am never going to end up a straight plank!
Blessings and love 💕
