Although many parents are happy to see their children without stress, without worrying about exams hanging over them, Iman, who was driving a truck and picking up odd jobs for the last 20 years, is simply happy to be able to drive around the city and do not worry about the children who jump on the back of his truck for a free ride.
One would think that guys like Iman, whose life we thought was overthrown by the rising gas prices, are actually just happy not to have to worry about the crazy kids jumping on the back of his truck.
We do not really think about it, but no fear as a red light truck driver. Whenever Iman see a light turn from green to red, he must look over his shoulder to naughty children who are seeking a free ride.
And Iman would like to help, but the father of two children is mortally worried that something might happen. Children could be heckle and one of them could fall and get hurt or he might have to slam on the brakes and one of them could go steal the truck.
I asked Iman if the price of gas increase would be a big problem for him, but like everyone else, he took everything in stride. In addition, the price has nothing to do with him. It simply passes on to the consumer. Long before the rise in prices everyone was worried about the "little guy," the reality was that of others-account for drivers have more important things to worry about like finding the next job or avoiding of paying the police with uang damai (peace money).
Iman was parked along GatotSubroto, one of the busiest roads in Jakarta. He was sitting in the shade enjoying a break from the hot afternoon sun. He parked his truck where he wanted.
"Traffic is traffic," he said. "If I get in the way and I really need to move my truck I want, but now I'm not the problem and the truck is on the road here. If the police come and asked me to move I will. Otherwise I'll leave it here until I feel like leaving. "
And if you ask Iman how a liter of gas costs now, he scratches his head. He prefers to talk about how much it costs to park in one of the buildings along GatotSubroto.
while everyone is worried about getting trucks like Iman road, releasing tracks for traffic, the most important thing for him is to make sure the truck is, front and center so he can keep an eye on him.