Reality Shock

A friend of mine once returned from abroad and proceeded to haggle with the taxi driver for a better fare. The taxi driver said he was going to use the meter, but my friend just knew he was getting screwed. He continued to argue with the driver, but to no avail. Things really are outrageously expensive in America, and LA is expensive for America. A taxi in Bangkok would tell you it's 400 baht to the airport ($10), expecting to be haggled dow to 200 baht. A metered taxi from the airport would cost about 130 baht.

I'm standing in front of LAX myself now. Pushing around a trolley loaded with bags. I've received numerous comments n the body I could fit in one particular bag. I've got a half hour till my ride gets here, and I realize how dry my throat is from the long flight. I think of my friend and his taxi, and a smile comes across my face.

I wheel my cart back inside in pursuit of a beverage. Diet Coke. Gatorade. Snapple. Hoe does colored corn syrup go for $2.99 a bottle? Dasani water (bottle by Coca-Cola) - $2.69. I search around some more and find a news stand. Water, only $1.99 a bottle! I consider haggling with the girl behind the register as she eyes me with disinterest. She looks humorless, so I just go ahead and pay. So the guy who tries to get a better price is considered crazy, but gouging travelers at the airport is A.O.K. is just good business I guess. Don't people go to jail during earthquakes and other natural disasters for raising prices to ridiculous amounts?

I go back outside. Everywhere I look I see babies. Black babies. White babies. Hispanic babies. Asian babies. You name a baby, and they're represented there. They all remind me of Ray as they gum their mom's shoulders and stare back at me. Ray was in such a good mood all day before I left. I still have his smile burned into my head. Had it thru the entire flight. I can almost hear his giggle.

Instead I hear something in thai. Three people standing next to me at the curb. They must have been on my flight. I listen, and there's something so comforting about hearing them talk. I only understand a few words peppered here and there, but it's soothing to let it bounce around in my head. A moment later a van pulls up, and a girl gets out and gives the woman a big hug. It makes me think of all those separated people reuniting at the airport like in Love Actually.

I'm really tired now. Where's my ride...?