So, the other day, I headed out in the morning as I always do. Walked to Abou el Feda Street to get a taxi to work. I had just reached the street when I saw a car approaching – black car, white accents, drivers window down. There are a million of them in Cairo. As usual, I hollered out my destination in the general direction of the open drivers window. He slowed down and pulled to the side of the street. Excellent! First taxi! I hopped in, told him where I needed to go and we were off.
About 3/4 of the way to the university, I woke up enough to look at the car. Nice car, interior is in good shape, I thought, “Maybe I should get this guy’s card so I can use him on other occasions.” As I was inspecting the car, I noticed (or rather DIDN’T notice) the meter. In Cairo, all taxis have to HAVE meters. No-one but the yellow cabs actually USE the meters, but to be a taxi, you must have one in the car (preferably attached, in some manner, to the car). This car did not have a meter that I could see from my vantage point. Mish mushkela – some cars have them in the glove box (although usually visible) or in the console between the two front seats (again, usually visible).
I was not worried. He pulled up to the place in front of the university that I asked him to, I got out of the car, and handed the usual fare thru the open passenger side window. He took it and started to pull away. That’s when I notice it. The car did not have the usual “CairoTaxi” or “GizaTaxi” painted on the door, nor did it have a taxi license plate!
Apparently I got a lift from a private car – and paid him!
LOL Only in Cairo.
A perfect Cairo story….where else would this happen? So glad you decided to share it!
Still _very_ pretty, you are. 😉