A taxi worth taking
I included this in my column on Feb. 17 in the Living section, but here it is again for those who missed it.
NEW YORK — Poor Romulus.
He huffed and he puffed and he pedaled us from 41st and Sixth Avenue to 50th and First Avenue.
When he offered to give three fashion writers a ride in his bicycle taxi, he probably thought we were a lighter load. It was dark. We were in black.
He insisted we would fit.
We piled in. Me first. I planted both cheeks on the seat. Bonnie Bing of The Wichita Eagle scooted in next, then Sharon Mosley of Copley News Service.
Romulus started pedaling.It was a beautiful night for an open-air ride. Uphill and down. Slow turns. No quick stops.
Sharon’s frantic shrill interrupted the fun and laughter. “I feel like I’m going to be ejected,” she said.
Bonnie and I squeezed closer.
When we coasted downhill, Romulus talked. He’s from Brazil and loves New York.
He kept pedaling. We wondered if the load was too much for him. Bicycle taxis are made for two, not three. Good thing Romulus is fit. The 22 gears make it easier, he said. He’s fit and polite.
We made the trip in about 17 or 18 minutes. Despite the cool night, Romulus was sweating by the time we reached our destination. The charge was $15; I paid him double. He earned every dollar, and I got twice that much enjoyment.
Romulus had already pedaled away when we realized the Italian restaurant that had been so highly recommended was closed. We settled on a cute little French bistro around the corner.
What a trip. Bonnie and I said it was the highlight of Fashion Week.
Sharon insisted on taking a motorized taxi back to the hotel.
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