I had one of those mornings today. Holy hell was it one of those mornings. All I had to do was get my butt over to Copacabana by 950am for an appointment. So simple, right? Well not today it wasn’t.
Since I was going to take the metro I figured I could leave at like 920am. The place where I was going was a block or so from the metro. It wouldn’t take me long to get there.
Of course things weren’t going to be that easy this morning. The load speaker came on and we passengers were informed that there would be a delay because of a technical issue at the Botafogo station.
At that point I had to make a decision. I was either going to stick with the metro and hope that it wasn’t a long delay or I was going to run out and grab a cab right that very minute.
I went with the second. Call me crazy but in my experience Brazilians are not the quickest at getting things done. I figured it was time to jump ship and make a break for it.
Bad choice
For starters, I was one of many who opted to leave the metro and get a cab. After walking down the street I finally managed one myself. I should have gotten out the moment he didn’t recognize the street name. I should have known. Any decent Rio de Janeiro taxi driver knows every street in Copacabana!
Then he missed the turn. Again, should have just got out but I didn’t want to be a bitch, believe it or not.
When he didn’t take the next turn I asked him where he was going and then he admitted that he didn’t know how to get onto Aterro.
Again, a cab driver that doesn’t know which street to take to Aterro?!
He told me he had just started a week ago and I found myself stuck between jumping ship and feeling bad for the poor guy. I stuck with him. Hell, someone had to show him how to get to freaking Aterro.
Seriously though, this guy should just quit now. It was just so painfully obvious that he isn’t cut out to be a taxi driver. My 86 year old Grandmother drives better!
When we got into Copacabana he finally stopped and asked where the street was. That was when we discovered that he had passed it and it was on the other side of the tunnel. That is when I stopped feeling bad and just got out of the taxi. I told him that I would walk the rest of the way.
Of course then he tells me that he forgot all his money at home and had no change. It took all my willpower to not smack him upside the head. Instead I gave him 1/3 of his payment in change.
I was free! I step out of the taxi and then it happens. My freaking flip flop breaks.
Fine, nothing I couldn’t handle. There was a pharmacy across the street and I grabbed the most basic pair in my size and bought it. I was really finally on my way.
Of course I was on the other side of the tunnel and now very late. I hopped into a new cab, who recognized the street name, and he drove me over there. 5 minutes later I was walking into the building only 20 minutes late.
I reached the counter happy to have finally made it and then I realized…
I had forgotten my freaking Doctor’s referral at home! I couldn’t do the damn test! I had to reschedule for next week.
FAIL! Next time I’m going to just stay on the damn metro!
3 comments
1 ping
PTRio
February 1, 2013 at 8:51 pm (UTC 3) Link to this comment
Life is a balance. At some point soon you will have an experience which corrects this imbalance. Or, you already had one and this occurred in order to correct the prior positive experience. Or, shit just happens. When I have an experience like that with a taxi, I just ask that they take me to the Tourist Police. You would be amazed how quickly they find the place I am headed to. But, I am sure there is a first day on the job for everyone.
Ray
February 2, 2013 at 6:24 am (UTC 3) Link to this comment
I am with you, next time stay in the Metro, they always repair Metro glitches really fast… What a day! Jeez!!! But you sound like you are really well adapted to Brazil and Rio…
Abraco!!
Ray
The Gritty Poet
February 3, 2013 at 12:14 am (UTC 3) Link to this comment
Obviously the blame here lies with the Havaianas. Thet are evil I tell you, evil!
Rio de janeiro Medical Goodie Two Shoes » Rachel's Rantings in Rio
February 6, 2013 at 3:34 am (UTC 3) Link to this comment
[...] reader of my blog, you know I had a very crap day and missed an appointment. Blog post here: One of Those Mornings. I actually managed to miss my scheduled MRI. [...]