Train Driver
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Syria at Work
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This man is my grandfather. He is 88 years old. I suppose he is old enough to have rich experience in life. He told me so much that it is hard to summarize his long life in a few pages. Do you know what he told me? Dear son, it is hard to remember amazing moments in your life. I still remember clearly my first day in the train station when I had a job as a driver between Damascus and Jerusalem. That was in 1937, a long time ago. I had two journeys every week, and that affected my social relationships. I didn't have enough time to spend with the people around me, and those in the station were my whole world. That never bothered me, because from the moment you put on your uniform, by the way we had to wear a dark blue suit, and turn on the engine, the excitement would start and last for three days, the length of time it took to come back to the point you started. It was a great machine. I felt as if it were my home. I spent more time in it that what I spent in my home amongst my family. I shouldn't forget about my assistant, Ahmad. He accompanied me for thirty years. He was a kind man, but sorry to say he died ten years ago. He smoked more than our train. Actually, I got a salary that ensured a middle-class life. I think my first salary was 25 Syrian pounds, yes, 25. It was enough for me to get all I needed and save a little. I was known as the best driver. I got many awards from here and from the state in Jerusalem. I had driven that train for thirty years and in all circumstances and we succeeded in reaching our destination peacefully. I remember once we started our voyage from Damascus. It was snowing lightly, but after a few hours there was a really heavy and dense fog that prevented vision beyond our noses. I took a risk and decided to complete the trip because there were people who had to arrive on time. I was observant but not afraid. Finally after three days, we arrived to find people there waiting for us. Really, I felt so proud. The downfall was in 1967 when Jerusalem was occupied. [I saw tears in my grandfather's eyes as he spoke]. That was the end. The train stopped and we shifted to another line. That time I felt as if something broke inside me, and I intended to resign. Since then, I am still waiting for a time when I will be able to visit that lovely city. - Douraid F. |
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