Adam's Cab, by Jeffrey Veen

Adam's Cab

I don't attempt to understand the city of Denver. Fine folks there, of course, but who thought an airport 60 miles from downtown was a good idea? And, as a second punch line to an already cruel joke, the city decided any form of public transportation would be a luxury. No train service anywhere, just $60 cab rides.

The hour trip into town did, however, give me the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Adam, the guy driving the cab. He had come from Ethiopia to San Diego a decade ago, then moved with his wife and two kids to Colorado to chase affordable housing. He gets up most mornings at 5am to lease a cab so he can get her to the airport, where she works, and his kids to school. Then he grabs fares until they're done and he shuttles them to daycare, until he can later pick up his wife. Then more fares until 10 or 11pm.

I know, every cab driver has a story. But Adam is a man of his word. He asked me if I wanted a ride back to the airport after my presentation the next day. And at 3pm I walked out of the hotel and he was their waving and grinning. We stopped off at Starbucks and then sped off to DIA drinking coffee and talking about growing up -- me in California, he in Africa.

So look, if you're heading to Denver and want a pleasant ride to or from the Airport, call Adam. He's at +1 (720) 319-2251 and he'll be right over.

This entry was written by Jeffrey Veen and posted 3 October 2003 at 10:37 AM. It was filed under Travel. | View blog reactions

Comments

1. On 3 October 2003 at 11:59 AM Francois wrote:

Great !!!

2. On 5 October 2003 at 6:01 PM leslie wrote:

After 14 years of saving up NYC cab stories, I had my best one ever in Denver, from a Somalian named Paul. It was one of the most fascinating and heartbreaking stories I've ever heard, but he was still really worried as I drew out details I would get the impression he was ungrateful for the good things in his life or personally get depressed. I had nothing but respect for him, and yes, it was impossible to hear withut being heartbroken, but it's the kind of heartbreak that's good for people sometimes, if that makes any sense.

3. On 5 October 2003 at 7:15 PM Ray wrote:

Try useing 039 instead of apos; .

4. On 9 October 2003 at 6:27 AM Apar wrote:

hummm.. that's quiet a story. I did do quiet a lot of conversation with my taxi driver,form Jordan ! and I am from India.

Two complete foreigners in a different country. Sure we had a lot to talk when I was in Dallas,
public transport is an alien word out there.

It's also amazing how many cultures find a place in the US.

5. On 23 November 2003 at 11:13 PM Richard Soderberg wrote:

That's odd, I was able to get from Denver Airport to Boulder using a cheap shuttle to a public transportation terminal that picked up airport people destined for downtown Boulder. No $60 cab rides for me! This was a few years ago, but I can reconstruct the route if needed.