Hey, Cabbie, Can I Give You A Push?
Last night, I found myself behind a taxi cab, pushing it to freedom from the icy grip of the side of the road. The kicker: it was OUR taxi.
One thing I repeatedly take for granted in Minnesota is the speed and efficiency of the snow removal crews. Sure, I bitch about the 1 to 4 snow to sand ratio, and the salt is pretty much eating my car away right now as I type, but damn if those roads aren't kept amazingly clear even during the worst snowfall.
Here in Dallas, one inch of snow, one ridiculous inch of snow, has effectively shut down the downtown area for two straight days. Last night, as our taxi crept cautiously from one intersection to the next, we watched buses and shuttles bounce helplessly from one curb to the other, unable to find traction due to one stinking inch of snow packed down to the consistency of polished steel. Then, suddenly, it was our turn.
Our taxi inched toward an intersection, the driver over-corrected when the wheels spun ever so slightly, and we just kind of glided to the side of the road, hit the curb, and stuck there. There was nothing we could do, really, but offer to get out and push. This was a massive task, because finding a foot hold on anything meant initiating a small mining operation with the heel of the shoe to provide any semblance of traction. The ordeal was made even more difficult because our taxi driver had no clue how to free an ice-trapped automobile.
For the record, for you readers in warmer climates, you do NOT simply step on the gas. This does not work. It should be a rocking process, gradually moving back and forth, gaining forward momentum with each rock ahead, with pushers providing the needed extra oomph. It took awhile to explain and coordinate this process with a taxi driver who was flustered and embarrassed.
We freed the cab and our fare was waived, though I still gave him a five dollar tip. One of the co-workers asked if he would be willing to take us to the airport today, to which he responded, "No, Ma'am, I don't."
Last day in Dallas. I'm ready to come home.
UPDATE: This girl can wash my car any day.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Roselyn Sanchez is apparently a hot search term today, so I'm going to repeat her name her a bunch of times to boost my traffic. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez. Roselyn Sanchez.
Posted by Ryan at February 26, 2003 11:25 AM
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