Things I Learned About Fercho Today

Alternate Title: Things I Probably Should Have Known About Fercho Before Today 

I willingly put my life in this man’s hands every single day, and yet I know very very little about him. I’m talking about Fercho, my moto taxi driver, mi “moto de confianza,” or my ROD (ride or die). 

He started driving me about four months ago and it’s been fabulous. To my father’s dismay, I love motorcycles. Being on one every day makes me feel like I’m in my own Colombian version of a Lizzie McGuire movie. But I won’t hop on any moto taxi, just Fercho’s. He drives very well and I have never feared for my safety. Plus, compared to most Costeños, he’s punctual enough. Despite all of this, I know next to nothing about the man. I mean, I know how each of his days go and about his side hustles, but nothing about his past life or future aspirations. So, today I asked Fercho some long overdue questions. This is what I learned:

Fercho is 30. He was born in Barranquilla, where he learned to drive a motorcycle at only 10 years old. His father is Baranquillero but his mother is Monteriana; he went back and forth his whole life until he moved to Monteria permanently three years ago. He is one of 4 children (the second youngest). One of his two brothers moved to Spain a year ago, and his older sister moved to London five years ago with her husband. Fercho’s first job was not as a mototaxista; he spent years working in restaurants, specifically making cocktails (this piece of information gave a whole new meaning to his constant warnings about leaving drinks unattended when I go out). He then started working as a phone refurbisher and distributor. He hopes to someday join his brother in London or move to Canada, though after meeting me, he says, the United States seems pretty cool too.