Hats off to Ernesto

The joys of South American Retirement

Its lunchtime and we are somewhere in Lima. Our taxi-driver belongs to the friendly-driver species. He has noticed that we have a different accent and wants to know where we are from. Not long afterwards we are talking about European history, Nazi-Germany and the WWII. And then the conversation topic turns to our driver.

As Ernesto, 83 years old, needs to supplement his meagre pension, he drives his taxi between 8 and 12 hours every day. His tally of 6 children, 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren could almost win him an Olympic Medal. Most of the journey we are speeding (!) with 30km/h through the streets. He does not seem to give two hoots about the cars’ horn-concert around him. His relaxed coolness is probably due to his ripe old age.

Despite his left arm twitching regularly he is in better nick than his car. On paper MOT exists in Peru, but for everyone it is crystal clear that Ernesto’s car would not even have a chance to pass the test. Perhaps the police have due respect for such an eligible old gentleman and leave him in peace.

“Can I take a photo?” I ask our polite chauffeur. “Of course, go ahead!” Arriving at the Guest House we say thank you and, if we wear our hats, we would have taken them off. Friendly, hard-working, gallant and erudite. Ernesto is crème de la crème. Having taken the final photo we say, “Hasta luego!“ /KDJ

Perhaps his average speed is appropriate bearing the car’s condition in mind.
He brought us safely to our destination. Ernesto M.
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