Hey Taxi!

 

 

I love taxis.  Anywhere, everywhere.  Conveyance of convenience.  More than just the car, which has several options & is improving (?) all the time, it is the drivers with whom I have a cerebral love affair.  I do! 

 

You want to get the vibes of the city?  Ask Taxi-man.  You want to know what is happening at the opposite end of the city?  Ask Taxi-man.   Which route is better-to-best?  Don't tell the man (or woman - I have met one so far!) his job.   Everytime I thought I knew better I ended up with my shoe in my mouth.  Ook, city shoe in my mouth.   They will sometimes ask you which route you prefer, absolutely.  But more often than not, just sit back & let the man drive, would you, please?   UNLESS... you want a truly great philosophical discussion.   Then speak up.   Now it doesn't happen with every ride but it does happen.  Pay attention.   

 

Dulles to DC.  I made my way to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars for seminars, a couple of times.  In & out the same day, returning to DTW, at that time.   I loved those early morning flights.  Easy.   Grabbing a taxi one of those mornings, I was most fortunate to have a driver who seemed to be engaged with life, his 'transportee' (me) & his city.  He loved DC.  He was working crazy hours to support & to educate his family.  Indian fellow, New Delhi.   He believed America was still the land of 'golden' opportunity for his family AND he knew, or he was convinced, that with a solid work ethic he could bring anything to pass, to fruition.  Three kids, two in college already, one more to go.  He was well-spoken, seemed to be well-educated; yet as with many immigrants whose degrees do not always translate well or proportionately in a new country, he was determined to create & to finance a whole new venture.  Failure was not an option.   You gotta like & respect a guy like this!   We chatted ninety miles an hour, all the way in to town & 1300 Penn Ave.  

 

In New York I have had the same fascinating conversations with many taxi drivers.  Let me tell you: many.  With some I know to 'zip the lip' & not ask questions.  Leave it alone (whatever 'it' is).  However,  it is my nature to ask questions of people. 

 

Einstein: Curiosity has its own reason for existence.

 

Exactly so.  Part of it is from interviewing people on TV for years.  Part of it is because I know there is, many times, a wonderful story just waiting to be told.  Or philosophies to be shared & discussed.  There may be a 'buddha' waiting to inspire me.  Certainly there is always something to learn.  So many times the driver & I have shaken hands at my destination & we have thanked each other for a wonderful few minutes of humanity & humility.   Who could ask for more?   

 

So I say, never assume.  Never.  Be open to the people on the paths you cross.   Listen to them & quite possibly, learn from them.   Just yesterday I hit the jackpot!   Both taxi drivers to & from a location were engaged with life & engaging.  Their 'greys & whites' were alive & sparkling, their synapses were firing & capturing beautifully.   The topics flew:  religion (see, you can talk about it with some people), education, the after-life, the now-life, teaching kids the golden values by example, these were the subjects covered in two taxis in the midst of a heat wave (yes, I suppose we must have covered the weather too, briefly.  Actually I may have mentioned SNOW!).  

 

We covered it all & I feel wiser for it.   Thank you, guys!