Taxis

I ride in taxis... a lot. Too much really.


I just thought I would write about a random observation that I find quite comical. when i first got here Egypt passed a new law that said you had to wear your seat belt in the front seat. imagine that!? So anyways everyone, especially taxi drivers, hate this new and inconvenient law. As I ride around with taxi drivers its a hilarious for me to watch them as they see a police man in the road up ahead and they fumble for their seat belt and go through a ton of trouble trying to look like they're actually wearing the seat belt without really wearing it. Its like an art form. They usually sit on the end or connect it down somehow with various mechanisms, instead of just buckling it. Its like they cannot give in... never have I seen a taxi driver just buckle his seat belt. I think it might be more funny if you actually notice it yourself, but just thought I'd share.



This morning I got into a really nice taxi on my way home from my lesson and he started talking to me (as usual). He was actually not that annoying like most taxi drivers. And when he realized I was studying arabic he started testing me on my numbers and certain words. It really did amuse me. He started from 10 and went all the way to 100 (in increments of 10) and when he got to a 100 he started switching it up and would say 150, 170, 132, like it would trip me up or something hehe. In the end I think I passed and he told me I spoke Arabic well. It was quite fun.

I actually am able to practice arabic the most in taxis. I have had a lot of interesting converstaions in them as well. For example, almost everyone of them hate Bush and like Obama, because Bush has declared war on the whole world. Or how this is their 3rd job becaue they can't make enough to support their family otherwise. Or one had 3 wives and his latest one was as old as his daughter (age 16 and he was probably 50), he was also looking for an American woman in her 40's so if anyones interested let me know :) Or they ask if I am married to an Egyptian.. if not, would I marry an Egyptian? On occasion I even get proposed to, but thats only on special days. Even though most of the time I really rather not talk to them I am able to practice my Arabic and surprisingly have been encouraged a lot by some of them to continue to learn the Arabic Language. They've said I speak arabic 'well' or sometimes they'll throw in 'beatuifully', and the other day I was even blessed for my efforts.

Taxi's.... I've learned a lot of patience from Taxis. I've been able to meet many people from different walks of life. Ive been able to practice my arabic. I've been encouraged. I've been entertained.. and annoyed. I've been able to take the time to reflect and pray while riding around in them.

But if I ever live in Cairo again I'm buying a car!