Me and Cabbies

I had a couple of appointments today, and did not have a car. So, I had to cabby-hop to get to my destinations-- and boy! taxi riding today turned out to be an adventure.

Cab #1- Destination was to a meeting in Libis. Got the taxi from my house in Makati-- two minutes on the road, I realized I left my mobile phone at home- so I had to instruct driver to go back. Yup, not a very promising start. But Mr. Driver had no qualms about it--great! We decided to pass through EDSA via White Plains to Libis. Three fourths of the way, Mr. Driver pulled over-- "Ma'am, nag-overheat..." By this time, it was starting to rain. "Oh no.." I told myself. "Not now when it is about to rain, not here in the middle of nowhere.." Mr. Driver opened the hood-- smoke came out... Then he got water from the trunk-- thank god! Poured water on the engine, slowly opened the radiator and poured more water into it. All these happening as I frantically looked at the temperature gauge-- it is going down... it is cooling down! Yes!

Cab #2- From Libis I now needed to catch a ride to Glorietta, Makati for an appointment with my orthodontist. I was enjoying the ride- hey I was able to make few phone calls to friends and at home to check on my sons! Yup I was enjoying the ride and the freedom-- imagine the things that you could do on the road when you are not behind the wheels?! Then as we maneuvered through traffic along the roads on Valle Verde, an armoured van backed-up onto Mr. Driver's cab. Mr. Driver was irked (who wouldn't be?), he pulled over and asked van driver to do the same. Mr. Driver got off the taxi, a security man got off the armored van. They inspected the taxi for damages. I remained in the car all this time.. praying to see the frown on Mr. Driver's face erased soon.. It did not happen, he did not stop frowning but all was well with the car (at least!). Two men shook hands and went back to respective vehicles... Our journey continued... We reached Robinsons Galleria... Mr. Driver asked me where I wanted dropped off?... Huh?!! "Manong, I am going to Glorietta, not Galleria..." "Ay... sorry ma'am." So the journey just got a a second leg-- it was smooth sailing this time. We reached Glorietta safe and sound.

Cab #3- It was almost 5pm, I have not eaten my lunch... My tummy was complaining... I decided to buy food to go... I did not want to be caught in rush hour so decided to immediately get yet another cab and just enjoy my snack on the way... "Ma'am plus P20.00 po.. ma-traffic kasi.." Okay, I agreed... I thought just get me out of here... and my growling hungry stomach could not agree more... I thought it was going to be that easy-- huh, ofcourse not... In the cab, I smelled something not very pleasant.... Oh no, Mr. Driver must have gotten wet from the rain, and unable to dry out his clothes- it smelled dank in the car... Uggh.. UGGGHHH!! I could not eat-- my appetite gone... Good thing that this ride turned out to be a quick one. But hey! where was the traffic?! Didn't I pay extra because of the supposed traffic?!.. Oh well- better than getting stuck in traffic with Mr. Stinky.