Now that it’s colder, I’ve been taking cabs more often, at least if I have to get from the Upper East Side to SoHo, and I’m running late. Last weekend I had perhaps the worst ride ever.

Sure, there have been times when I thought my life was at risk, when I’ve been thrown around the backseat like a ping pong ball. There’ve been times I’ve been taken for a ride, literally, 15 minutes out of the way.

I don’t drive much so I can’t really judge others’ skills. But at least I know you’re not supposed to brake every two seconds. There’s this thing called lifitng up on the gas (is that what it’s called? you know what I mean). True, it was rainy, but this guy would slow down to virtually a complete stop when he got within five feet of any other car.

It went like this: VROOM, speed up! BRAAAKE - STOP. Stop! In the middle of a busy street when you have the green light! Again and again. VROOM, speed up! BRAAAKE - STOP. VROOM, speed up! BRAAAKE - STOP. Needless to say we missed many lights and I got quite car sick.

I thought about getting out at Grand Central, still a ways from my destination. Do I risk chundering, or do I freeze? Or do I wait for the perfect moment, go outside and chunder, adding to the lovely collection Melissa spotted last weekend?

I made it to where I needed to go without getting sick, though not before my driver did the VROOM, speed up! BRAAAKE - STOP thing about three times in one block. It’s so not worth it, especially with the recent fare hikes. Next time I’ll take the three subways.

[Photo courtesy of VroomVroomVroom.com.]

Related posts:

1. Sick in the City
2. The Way to Travel
3. Public Transport Woes
4. I MISSED IT! All 27 inches of it.
5. The Secrets of SuperShuttle