Taxis

I really enjoy taking taxis here. Basically the taxis are like buses (Russian VW's).  Each one has a specific route, normally going from one round-about (intersection) to the next, and back. So in order to get somewhere you usually have to take 3 or 4 different ones (I've got some pictures of these on one of my Facebook albums, they're blue and white vans.) Anyway, there are two people who work these privately-owned taxis: the driver and the "conductor". The conductor takes money once you get in, and more importantly, leans out the side window and yells the destination "Kolfe! Kolfe! Kolfe! Kolfe!" as a form of advertisement. There are only unofficial stops, usually underneath pedestrian bridges, or whenever someone flags the van down, or when a passenger wants to get off and bangs on the side of the van. (Yellow strips of tape haven't made it here yet.)  Once I find one with enough room (by room I mean anywhere to sit down—on the backside of the front seat, on the wheel, in the aisle. No, there are no comforting signs that read : "We're serious about safety—Your safety.") I pay my fare, usually, depending on the person, about $.08 a mile. And once I get settled, celebrity status kicks in with the kids: they stare at me, I smile, they smile back. When I'm ready to get off I in turn bang on the side of the car, yell "Wirage!" (Stop) and continue on my way.

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