 |
March .2001 Menino do Rio
I was being put on
the bus in Rio de Janeiro for the trip to Sao Paulo and my connecting
flight home to the States. It was pretty heavy for me. After two
months there, I still didn't want to leave and was unexpectedly
emotional about it all. At the ticket counter the vendor asks us
which seat did I want. They have these ultra modern air-conditioned
buses, with TV's, coffee bar, and all. my friend immediately said
'he wants a seat a little behind the driver'. Seeing the questioning
look on my face my friend explained "if there's any trouble
on the highway the driver will automatically try to save himself".
Damn, I'd never thought about that before was my first thought.
Then how sweet this guy was to always be taking care of me. And
then a moment later wondering if he was making fun or just observing
the mentality of the bus drivers in Brasil. So as all good things
must end, my Rio time did, and I got on the bus and took my seat.
The driver walks the aisle, smiling at us all, a guy in his late
50's, and like all brasilian men is especially friendly to the woman
sitting in the seat beside me on the opposite side of the bus. When
he returns he even has her a cup of coffee which she graciously
accepted. As he returns to the driver's seat she even smiles and
winks at me. We pull out, and Ricardo and Rio are lost all too soon
as the bus pushes through the traffic, finessing, merging, demanding
it's right of way. This driver is good! They all are, but this one
is especially good. everyone has gone to sleep or is watching the
movie with Glen Close and a lot of women POW's when we run into
a rainstorm on the outskirts of SaoPaulo. But I'm trying my best
to ignore the movie and trying instead to absorb every detail of
the closing Brazilian adventure. The lady beside me is knitting
something white. Suddenly, not too far in front of us, an 18-wheeler
is jackknifing on the highway. As it skids sideways, our driver
doesn't have time to stop or anything, and actually he might have
even speeded up to have a lane free for maneuvering. He clears the
skidding wall of metal by inches, maybe by an inch. I couldn't believe
it. And he did it all so smoothly no one but the lady and me was
even aware of what was happening. After we fully realized what had
just happened, we looked at each other eyes wide open. I held up
my thumb, the only way I knew to say, Wow! We're ok!!! She then
smiled warmly back at me and said " E meu marido!" which
means "he's my husband!"
Whether a driver would react to save himself
or his beloved I will never know. These two certainly loved
each other and the mind doesn't make conscious decisions in moments
like these. I loved Ricardo for giving me good advice, but like
all advice, it was based on experience. Yet each moment in life
is unique, full of possiblities, unpredictable. We can't know
ever on which side of the bus to sit. At best we can hope to enjoy
the ride.
Take care, everybody, remember what's important.
Tom
This painting is entitled "Menino do Rio" which means
a young guy from Rio de Janeiro. It's also the name of a song
by the wonderful Caetano Veloso. I enjoyed listening to the music
while painting. The circle goes round.
|
