I learned a valuable New York City lesson today -- when you take a yellow cab, you wave vigorously (jumping and with both hands if possible), leap into the back seat as soon as one pulls up and tell the driver in no uncertain terms where he is to take you. You don't stand off to the side and wave timidly, go up to the driver of the fifth cab that's driven past and only stopped out of pity, and quietly ask if he'll take you to 72nd and Park.
How did you come to learn this magnificant lesson, Ini, you might ask.
Good reader, let me enlighten you. . .
I had an appointment this morning at 11:30 with a neurosurgeon, after waiting for a week (it was just for an interview, there's nothing wrong with me -- nothing, anyway, that a neurosurgeon can help with; then again. . . perhaps there is). But anyway, I digress. . .
I got off work at 10:30 and took the subway to 72nd Street with half an hour to get to the east side -- plenty of time. It was such a beautiful day that I decided to walk through Central Park, instead of taking the crosstown bus. Disastrous decision, I should have known -- no one with my sense of direction should attempt to walk through any place that doesn't have roads that form right-angled geometric shapes.
But, blissfully chosing to ignore this knowledge, I proceeded, with a smile on my face and a spring in my step. Twenty minutes later, I was still in Central Park, still walking, minus the smile and spring. Panic began to set in. I was not going to make it by 11:30, and you don't keep a busy neurosurgeon waiting. I pictured myself telling him why I was late ("Ummm, I'm really sorry, doctor, but I got lost in Central Park) and started walking even faster.
Finally, at 11:30, I emerged on the other side of the park, and saw a sign saying "Fifth Avenue." Oh thank God! But I immediately realized that I had thanked the Almighty too soon. I looked at the cross street -- 59th Street.
I decided to take a cab, and it took me another ten minutes to figure out which direction I needed to go in, that the cabs were all going in the opposite direction because I was on a one-way street going the wrong way. I got my bearings, sprinted over to the right street, and finally, after missing five cabs because I was too timid to stand up and WAVE, one pulled over.
As I climbed in and collapsed, the driver turned around and with a stern look, gave me my first lesson in New York City Cab Hailing.
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2 comments:
I think everyone learns this lesson at some point during their tenure in NYC. I remember my inability to hail a cab during my first year of law school. In a machoistic display, my friend proceeded to walk to almost the center of the road, spread his legs apart in a John Wayne "I am going to grab my gun pose", and then basically waved vigorously with his entire upper body. A cab was summoned immediately.
I do the same now (get your gun, we are going to have some fun, fun, fun).
Also, you have an open bracket that has not received closure (i.e., the ")"). Please oblige my sensitivities and take care of that.
Cb.
OMG OMG that's hyserical!!!
The key to navigating the park is to use the buildings on the side as a guide. Sometimes. Sometimes the buildings trick you. So I guess it isn't really a key. But its a tip all the same.
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