Last weekend was spent in the city in order to attend a birthday party for a friend of a friend that would involve a late night and a few adult beverages. It seemed to be a good idea not to drive back home after a night of celebrating. It was also the chance to check into a tiny hotel and spend some time exploring a neighborhood that I only knew second-hand. The mode of transportation that night was taxi cabs and that is my reason for writing.
On the trip from the hotel to the area where the party was being held the driver took a route that seemed to be out of the way. In retrospect the route avoided a lot of the congestion around the Inner Harbor and apparently allowed the driver to practice for the next NASCAR race. Glancing from time to time at the speedometer through the haze of bulletproof glass I saw that we hit speeds of 65 miles per hour on streets with posted speeds of 40. Not something I would ever do but, hey, this guy was a professional and I had no worries about paying the ticket. The potential of a crash involving any number of cars, trucks and pedestrians was another matter. Still, we got where we were going safe and sound and even a little invigorated. The fare totaled $8.
Fast forward several hours (OK, more than several). It?s very early on Sunday morning and another cab is taking us back to the little sliver of a hotel in that tree-lined neighborhood. Smooth jazz played on the radio, most of the traffic signals seemed to be flashing or green, and everything was very mellow, including the driver?s approach to his job. We meandered around the city, avoiding early morning dog walkers and joggers, and even took a scenic detour around a street closed by a crash. It was pleasant but not very efficient. Total fare: $14
I?m really not sure why two trips between the same two locations should cost so much different. I guess the late night fare is a bit higher and since we were not going as fast the time spent in the cab was longer. It?s one of those sometimes frustrating things about getting around. Nevertheless, I have to think that the investment in safety and comfort was worth it. Besides, the two cab fares combined were still less than the abusive $28 one night fee for parking the car at the hotel. Parking garage-type fees in Baltimore seem to be higher than just about any place in this region. Even parking in downtown Washington for a day will usually only set you back twenty dollars.
For those living in the suburbs I have to recommend that you spend a weekend in the city. Go to a neat little out of the way neighborhood that has an art gallery or two as well as some interesting restaurants. Get to know the city from the inside and don?t just think you know the city because you pass through it twice a day on your way to and from work. This city has a lot to offer and there are more places popping up all the time.
