why hello, mr. taxi driver

when i first arrived in korea i was a ball of nerves.  i worried about how we'd transport all of our 10 pieces of luggage (we were crazy), if we had forgotten anything from the states, how we would get around korea without a car, how we'd live without furniture for two months...worry, worry, worry...blah blah.  i hated it.  but the one thing that took me over the top was...taxis.  the first couple months we were here i detested taxis for several reasons: 1. the taxi driver rarely knew where our apartment building was and i had no way to tell them how to get there because i didn't know myself.  2.  i hate being lost.  3.  if you're on a schedule, you never know for sure if a taxi will be available.  4.  taxis cost money 5.  communicating with the drivers was quite hard and made the situations more confusing at times; and lastly 6.  have you seen the way these guys drive?  needless to say, i avoided taking taxis at all costs.

well, i've changed.  don't get me wrong, taxis are not my choice form of transportation, but i've actually enjoyed many taxi rides i've had these past couple months, especially today.

it was raining all day long.  i enjoy the rain, but this was 'pants get soaked, cars drive by and splash you' kind of rain.  i had to run a couple errands after school, so i opted to take a taxi home after i finished my errands.  

i flagged down a taxi and was greeted warmly by an older gentleman, probably in his late 60's.  he had a "best driver" sign on his car and was dressed in a freshly pressed uniform.  i noticed he smelled familiar, like my dad's aftershave.  he immediately asked me if i was from daegu.  i quickly replied "no, i'm actually from the U.S." we had an exchange of my family history and why i was here in korea.  (this conversation happens almost every time i'm in a taxi.  drivers can usually detect my korean accent and ask where i'm from).  he then began to tell jokes of some experiences he's had with westerners and how he hosted a westerner in his home for a short time.  he began to suggest various, beautiful places i ought to visit to observe its beauty, where i could find good hiking spots, cable cars, buses i could take to see lovely landscapes, and where to find some delicious korean pears.  the whole ride was delightful.   i understood nearly everything he said because he courteously spoke slowly and occasionally checked my understanding.  i wished our apartment was farther away cause i wanted to continue our conversation.  

he dropped me off in front of our apartment building and i let him keep the change for a tip.  he refused, but i insisted and he gave a grateful, humble bow of thanks.  it was a great human experience.  two strangers stuck in a car, sharing part of our lives together, laughing together, and enjoying the company of one another for a mere 8 minutes.  

all this to say, taxis are growing on me and i'm even beginning to like them.  i admit, sometimes when i take taxis late at night or early in the morning, it can be a bit of an adrenaline rush watching the taxi drivers skillfully weave in and out of cars to get to his destination as fast as possible.  it's like a real life game of 'frogger'.  also, catching a taxi is kind of like an egg hunt.  i stand on the side of the street, looking for an empty taxi to wave down and finding one quickly is gratifying.  it's a good challenge.  the taxi fare is also quite reasonable, especially compared to the states.  most of my taxi fares (granted if we don't get lost on the way) are usually around 4,000 won, which is about $3.00.  not bad, eh?  

so, thank you mr. taxi driver, for your kindness.  my prejudice against you and your vehicle has greatly subsided.