Fun With Traffic

Poor Mr. Vitz


This isna my story, but Thatha was coming back from the airport on Friday at like 4 am. When I’m grogging through the airport at that hour I usually go to the 688 counter and ask for a respectable cab. It’s better than negotiating with all the shady characters at the curb. Now, however, it seems that 688 hasn’t paid the proper bribes or something and there are no cab companies operating in the airport. That means that Tha has to negotiate with the guys at the cab. They’re charging like 1650-1700 home which is expensive, but he settles and gets in one guys car. On the way home, however, he notices that the guy is literally falling asleep at the wheel. I also got in a car accident the same day.

This, understandably, makes Tha uncomfortable, and he asks if he can drive. The cab. The driver says no for a while, but he is seriously passing out and he finally agrees. Thatha starts the rickety manual and drives himself home, with the driver asleep in the passenger seat. On the way they’re pulled over by the cops and the fuzz is very confused that this man in a dress shirt is at the wheel, while the guy doing all the talking is on the passenger side. When he gets home Thatha pays the man for the privilege and asks if he wants to lie down for a while and rest before he endangers somebody. The man is like ‘No, no, I’m fine’, and goes back on the road. Very dangerous, Oi.

That same day, earlier, I turned into my blind spot on Galle Road and got hit square in the passenger side door. Obviously my fault and pull over to negotiate. Never been in a proper accident but I call my insurance and get it sorted, but they leave the scene without calling anybody. For future reference, you should always call your insurance. Getting paid from someone elses requires a police report, court appearance and a stack of paperwork. It’s really not worth it, no matter who’s at fault. They called me the next day cause they were screwed and I gave them some cash cause I felt responsible. Now the car is all dinged up and I’m up to my ass in paperwork. I have to get some work done this week to pay for all the property I keep destroying.

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4 Comments »

Janapathi
2006-03-29 08:57:27

“When he gets home Thatha pays the man for the privilege and asks if he wants to lie down for a while and rest before he endangers somebody”..

What if this was a setup? I’ve heard many stories related to our cab fellows. I never ever invite outsiders to my house no matter how I feel. Sorry..that’s the society we live in..

 
2006-03-29 09:24:08

haha…only in Sri Lanka would the customer have to drive a cab, what a hilarious country!

 
2006-03-29 15:06:36

LOL! better be careful when driving…sri lankan roads are like jungles – even though we have properly built highways and all! esp i hate those annoying took-took buggers..(except when i am in one!)

 
G.Lakna
2006-07-27 13:42:25

Lol, Who said we have properly built hig ways, I think our road condition can only compare to India or some south Asian countries.
No other Asian country have this poor road condition, no need to talk about Euro or USA conditions i think.

 
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