Some taxi fun for Judy (and me), 3/19/15

Our ayi shows up at 7:45 am. It’s early, but forces me to get moving early. The last several days I’ve been enjoying watching out the window in the morning as Judy leaves. She’s struggled getting a taxi several times lately. There’s no defined place to stand for a taxi. Early morning, there are as many as 10 taxis lined up, so no problems. When they’re gone, it’s “every man for himself.” People walk out and see someone trying to flag down a cab, so they just move up the road a little bit, getting to the oncoming taxis first. Last week, she got “jumped”, several times. The “jumper” got a severe visual glare and pointing, as they pulled away in a taxi that should have been Judy’s. This week, she finally got verbal, shouting “NO” at a guy who started to jump in a taxi that had stopped for her. The drivers don’t care who gets in. They’re just looking for a fare.

Around 9:00, I went over to Metro for the weekly grocery visit, trying to get out of our ayi’s way. When I got home, it was time to swim. My swimming acquaintance told me the problem yesterday was a shower issue. They shut everything down to fix the hot water, but it’s up and running today. After swimming, I went to the wet market for some vegetables for dinner.

Around 1:00, I got on the bike and headed to the table tennis park. It’s a 20-minute ride, and there were very few players when I arrived. Lunch is a slow time. I sat around for 20 minutes. Everyone who came in had a partner. I was about to decide today would be the day I don’t play, when someone walked up, looking for a partner. We hit until 4:00 pm, when I begged off. We took one short break, when my partner had to smoke.

The guy who runs the park has been checking my member book and getting my phone # the last few days, and I found out why today. As we finished, he came by, telling us to go into a little building. Inside, they checked my info again, got my phone # again, and gave me a pin. I’m not sure what it says, but I think it means I’m a member of the club. Everyone is getting them. Not sure if we’re supposed to wear them, or what, but at least they’re not telling me to get lost.

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Back at the apartment, I put together the vegetables for dinner, and start finishing up preparations for my classes this week. The early departure on Thursdays dictates everything is ready when I go to bed. It would be a drag to arrive at school without needed materials, knowing they’re sitting on a table at home.

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