Flawless English

Black driver from the Sudan
HIs English was almost flawless, so I asked how long he had been in Canada.
"40 years, that's a long time."
"Not 40, four years. I'm not even 40 yet!", he replied.
I always do find it hard to guess age. To me, he could have been anyage between 25 and 45. I find it particularly difficult with blacks and Asians. Probably an artifact of my mono-cultural, mono-racial upbringing.

He left the Sudan because of the 'situation'. The military government does whatever they like.

He graduated from university over there, but like many immigrants, his degree wasn't fully recognized and he had to 'upgrade' it. He had just finished several years at a local college. All the time he had been there, he had also been working as a taxidriver. It's not too bad because you can choose your own hours. He rents the car from the company rather than them employing him. He pays them $250 per week and then buys whatever gas he needs off them, presumably at a cheaper rate. On an average week, he can pull in $550 or $600. That's very good money according to him.

He is going to visit the Sudan again this year. It will be safe now because he is a Canadian citizen. Noone would dare touch him.