A Lift in Moscow
In Moscow hitch-hiking is more normal, and cheaper, than taking
a taxi. You just negotiate a price with the driver. When our
pre-arranged car did not arrive at 4:30 a.m. to take us to the
airport, our Russian host was aroused from his hotel bed to help
us, because we speak no Russian. He flagged down a car and
negotiated a price to take us to the airport. We loaded our
luggage in the back, causing the raised security flap to block
the rear window of the car. Perhaps this is the reason the
policeman stopped us. He politely reviewed the driver's
documents and we were on our way in less than five minutes.
At the airport, the street that led up to the front of the terminal was
blocked by small metal barriers, diverting traffic to let off
passengers at an inconvenient location requiring much walking
and some stairs. Our driver spoke to the policeman at the
barrier, asking to be allowed to drive by the barrier to let off
his passengers. There was some discussion in Russian between
them. Then the policeman walked over to the barrier and moved
it aside for us to pass through. At the top of the ramp was
another string of similar barriers, but the driver eased his car
between them to drop us at the curb immediately in front of the
terminal.
>From what little Russian language we had it seems
that the policeman was convinced to let us through for the sake
of "little mother," the white-haired septuagenarian in the front
seat! Such kind people!
Janet
{ Previous Letter
| This Week's Index |
Next Letter }
{ Main Letters Page }
