ALL ANTWERP: “As a child I already said that I used a truck… (Antwerp)
Every weekday our reporter and photographer pick a casual passer-by off the street for a nice conversation. Want everyone has a story. And certainly in Antwerp. Today: Herman De Beuckeleer (65).
Elien Van Wynsberghe
“I’ve been a truck driver all my life. I have worked for over thirty years. A concrete company for ready-mixed concrete, near the Sportpaleis. My father was also a truck driver. As a species, I sometimes rode with him. Even then I said: I want to drive a truck later. And so I did.”
“I still remember the moments when I went with my father as a little boy. The gate that opened, the truck that was ready and then that smell of oil and dust. I still remember that smell. My father drove around with floor tiles and often visited small independents. Those people all knew each other. There was always a nice, casual atmosphere there.”
“What do I love about being a truck driver? To be able to drive around with such a large monster. And the variety. Many drivers choose to drive the truck internationally. They are then away from home all week. I didn’t want that. I wanted to stay close. I often do 13 or 14 hour days. That was part of it. But at night I did sleep in my own bed.”
“Now I am retired. I have three grandchildren, three boys. The youngest is 11 months. He was a little sick today. The nursery called to pick him up. And if it’s for my grandkids, I’ll drop everything else. Those three guys are the most important thing in my life.”