Dolly Parton and a Taxi Ride

It always surprises me when I take a taxi around town and Kwaito is not blasting from the stereo. (Kwaito is a South African/Namibian style of beats and rap. Think casio keyboard. It's pretty catchy, but a lot of it sounds the same.) This time I was really thrown for a loop....the man was rocking out to Dolly Parton.

I sat in the leopard covered back seat simply stunned. My ears couldn't believe that this Owambo man was feeling Dolly's pain on how a man had done her wrong. Finally, I blurted out "You like Dolly Parton?!?!?" He slowly looked back at me and gave me a head nod and eyebrow wave. Yup.

As we pulled up to the Rossing Foundation in Tamaraskia, I gave the driver my N$5.50. As my hand touched his, I also gave him a nod...that he somehow understands my pain, my frustrations on how men have done me wrong. I also thought about my home in Virginia, how much I love Dolly Parton. Perhaps Dolly has helped bridge a gap between me and this Owambo taxi driver. I felt strangely connected to him. However..... he didn't seem to notice.

But thank you Dolly for feeling my pain and helping me have a moment back home in Virginia.