South Africa

Benjarit

Living costs in South Africa are not very expensive but transportation expenses are relatively high compared to other activities. Metered taxis start off at 2 Rands and increase 10 Rands for every kilometre. Every taxi ride becomes a luxury. But in Cape Town, there is a service called Rikki, which works a little bit differently. A Rikki is a black London cab, which takes 5 people. You have to make a phone call to the Rikki call centre and tell them where you are, the destination and number of passengers. The call centre will determine the route we take and also pick up other passengers along the way. Each passenger has to pay a fixed price of 20 Rands for this semi-private transport.

The thing I like about this kind of trip is that besides the cheaper fare, it is a perfect opportunity to make unexpected encounter with total stranger. Finding an issue to start talking is not awkward because you get the slight idea of where they live or are going. With the friendly open-minded nature of the South African, taking a Rikki ride always guarantees a pleasant trip.

Memories of Mexico 1

We stayed in the Historical Centre of Mexico City. I spent lots of time around the colonial architecture neighborhood, enjoying the world’s heritage. What I saw, as frequent as the street Tacos shop, was the policeman.

They often appear in a group of 3 or more, in full uniform, equipped with bullet-proof vests, armed with guns, patrolling and preserving peace with pride and fearsome eyesight. Walking down the block, a van with at least 15 more manpower arrived providing even more security to the highly-policed area.

Small objects like toiletries or stationery are stored on shelves barricaded with display counters and helpful staff who make sure that you pay for the requested goods. 24 hour convenient store pull down metal shutter at night restricting any transaction to a doggy door sized hole, which made life a little more difficult for new comers like me. All these practices that I am not accustomed to contributed to my demographic image of the city.

Our 3 weeks in Mexico flew by smoothly, without any unexpected mishaps. But in a city that policemen are visible every 50 metres, I am not quite sure how to feel about it. Orders that suppress the intangible constantly raised my self-awareness. The scent of unrestfulness vaguely dissolves in the air that is shared between 40 million pairs of lungs. It also fills up my already polluted lungs.

Memories of Mexico 2

I felt uncontrollable chaos and learnt many road tactics after riding on 9 de Julio Avenue, the world’s widest avenue in Buenos Aires. At some intersections, you have to be in furthest right lane in order to turn left. But after my experience in Mexico City, it easily became my top city for “Mai-Pen-Rai”ness. “Mai-Pen-Rai” in Thai means “never mind” but it is often overused to compromise in order to eliminate all the complication that the situation may bring later.

The honking sound became the chorus of the traffic live band. Every 5 seconds, an angry frequency flies from a random direction making the surround effect. When somebody cut two lanes to turn left you just horn to show your appreciation then it becomes “Mai-Pen-Rai”. Where in Thailand, such practice will be nastily responded (even though we are compromising people). Luckily, the cold Mexican breeze prevents motorcycles from contributing further disorder. However, assistance from female traffic officers on every intersection always calm the mood of motorists down.

MOSCOW

Russia is a country that I had never thought of having business with or visiting at all before. From what I heard since I was a child that Russia is like the opposite polar of the giant consumerism country. My imagination could not escape the norms of aging cityscape, overpopulation, strict law enforcement and society under pressure of military and war. And when I further found out more that Moscow is the most expensive city in the world at the moment, I was even more curious to explore the development and regime.

The first thing I noticed was that there were minimal comprehensive signs. Advertisement, vending machines and even the menu at the airport café was written in Russian only. A stroll down the Tourist Street and only Russian words were visible. A simple process of buying a bottle of water turned in to a sweaty exercise and scribbling session.

Dinner time demonstrates why Moscow is the most expensive city. Prices in the menu are unimaginably high and the beer is ridiculously cheap. Fruit juice costs more than beer; which is unusual for me. And cigarettes are relatively very cheap. Bad influences are easily accessible.

I think that a country that undergoes a long restraint of war is like a mind with lack of sleep. Even the body functions day by day, the invisible deficiency can be sensed deeply inside.

LONDON

After the revelation moment at selection, I was in shock and wondering why I should deserve this life-changing opportunity.
I always let music guide my path because I believe in its harmlessness. I am happy that it has always been an important part of me. It has even let me down sometimes but I am glad I never neglected it from my life. I may not be successful visibly by it but I continue with the way I have chosen. I feel blessed to be able to live with my interests. I do not care if nobody cares or appreciate what I am pushing. At least, I can identify myself and say proudly what I am doing.
I would like to quote from “Music Song Sky & Electronic”, a book written by my teacher, mentor and respected brother, DJ Seed. “Let the music be the wings of dream, taking me to places I have never been and meet people that I would never imagine encountering” It has proven very true to me…