When we got to the square, it was about time to head back to the hotel. We decided to take a cab. The three of us got into the back seat. I sat behind the driver. When the cabbie turned on the meter, I told my friend to watch it. Prague cabs are known to try to rip off tourists.
I leaned back in my seat and took my gloves off. I laid them down on my lap. I looked past my friends to look at the city as we drove past it. I saw the spires of the churches and old buildings and a T.V. antenna tower in the distance. There was some fog clouding up the view.
My friend in the center seat leaned over to tell me that the meter seemed to be going up in higher increments than the cab we had taken into the city. I could not see the meter. My friends and I began discussing whether we were being ripped off or not, and, if so, by how much. We spoke in English. We did not think the driver would understand us. He did. The cabbie tried to explain that his cab was more expensive because we picked him up on the street. We took his word for it.
I looked out the window again. The trees moved past me in a continuous blur. I could not see the meter, so I did not worry about it.
When the driver pulled up to the hotel, I asked my friend what the meter
said. The meter read 1700 Kroner. It should've only cost 300. We knew we
were being ripped off, but we couldn't argue with him. These are not people
you want to argue with, at least not in a foreign country. We needed a local
to help us. Maybe the Golem could've helped. I said we should just pay it and
let him have it. I wanted to get out of the cab. My head began to hurt. I
rubbed my thighs and put on my gloves. We had to scrounge together our
money to have enough to pay. I checked all of my pockets to see if I had
any more money to add to the pot. I could only give 500. That's all I had.
We gave him the money. I slammed the door when I got out.
We went into the hotel, packed our bags, and went home.
More by Josh Ring:
The Subway January, 2003
Josh Gets his Book December, 2002
Josh Ring Gets a Ride November, 2002
A Cold Front Was Supposed to be Moving In October, 2002
Josh Goes to the Zoo September, 2002
Dogs August, 2002
Mermaids on Parade July, 2002
Josh Ring Supports Israel June, 2002
Josh Ring's Track Meet
May, 2002
Image: Prague, from pneyman.com.
Josh Visits the Holocaust Museum February, 2003
Readings and Misreadings
Zeek live, March 20 at Makor
surrender monkeys
Michael Shurkin
the reason for
jellyfish
Hal Sirowitz
constriction
Jay Michaelson
war and not-peace
Dan Friedman
Only Shelter
Bryn Canner
miracles
Abraham Mezrich
josh goes to prague
Josh Ring
saddies
David Stromberg
about zeek
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