For the first time in my life, I got the pleasure of visiting our nation’s capital. I was surprised it took so long to get my history-loving self to the wonderful Washington D.C. There, I got to soak up the sights (in the hundred degree weather and 100 percent humidity) and tour museums to further my learning.

What I found most surprising, however, was that I learned the most from two of my cabdrivers. Here I was, coming to a new city teaming with information, yet I learned the most from two 10-minute cab rides.

The first cab driver was from Pakistan. He had a long name, and I forget it now, but I did not forget what he had to say. As I was taking pictures outside the White House, I noticed a group of people chanting across the street. I realized they were protesting. As I walked by, I heard them chanting about Pakistan and their government. After our cab driver told us he was from Pakistan, my mom and I asked him what the group was doing protesting outside the White House. He informed us of the corrupt government back home, and how that group of people pretesting was trying to get our government to do something about the situation. The cab driver continued to say that even though Pakistan is struggling financially, the leader has taken off and is out of the country. When his people back home need leadership, their leader is nowhere to be found.

My mom asked him what his favorite part about living in America was, and he responded by saying, “Here you’re safe, you don’t have to fear the government.” I will never forget him saying that phrase. First of all, I realized how little I know about other countries and their governments. I feel as though I do not know, or even pay attention to, all of the corruption around the world. And secondly, I realized how lucky we are to live in the United States and have the freedoms that we do. I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I take those freedoms for granted. But, hearing the cab driver’s story really put things into perspective for me.

The second cab driver that my mom and I got to know was named E. He was from Ethiopia and has lived in the United States for a few years now. Just like our other cab driver, E also left his country because of political problems. He added that he misses his family and friends back home and wants to go back eventually. He has two young children. His wife works full-time, and when he is not driving cabs he is putting himself through school to get a computer technician degree. My mom asked him what he was most surprised about since living in the United States. He thought for a while, adding that he loves this country, but that “America is so powerful and has the ability to be great, but it is often aligned with corrupt governments.” He explained that for whatever reason, the United States supports or has supported Ethiopia’s corrupt government. He said that this great country has so much potential to do good and he just wishes that sometimes America would stand up for what is right.

This is not meant to be a political piece, in fact, I’m not even positive the information either cab driver gave me is completely accurate. It could very well be wrong. I did, however, write down what they said afterwards to make sure I got the information as accurately as I possibly could. But the specifics of the political corruption is not the focus of this article. The cab drivers’ viewpoints are really what struck me. I see how knowledgeable these two men were in the happenings around the world. I see that I need to be updated on current events. Also, these two seemingly ordinary men gave me extraordinary life lessons. They are working hard in this “new” country (even though they have both been here for a few years) and making a better life for themselves and their families. It is amazing that each person has such an incredible story, and that people are so willing to open up and share with you. I will forever remember what these men had to say and never again take my freedoms for granted, as I now know what some people struggle with in other countries.