Before I tell the story I must explain how the taxi system works in Alexandria. You tell the taxi driver where you want to go and if he says yes, you hop in the front seat (unless you’re a girl then you’d sit in the backseat… taxi drivers sometimes put their hand on your thigh). Now, all taxis are required to have a meter, but no taxis’ meter works. This can be problematic for visitors who don’t know exactly how much to pay (especially since the taxi drivers always want more). When you arrive at your destination, you get out of the taxi as if you're not even going to pay, close the door, get out your wallet, give the taxi driver your money and walk away. Often times they yell and you just keep on walking. If they are really unhappy, they might even get out of the car; that hasn't happened, but I'm sure it will soon.
Today, immediately after I got in the taxi, the driver told me the ride would cost eight pounds. I usually pay five pounds, but one of the Egyptian guys on my hall told me he never pays more than three, so I told the taxi driver, I wasn’t going to pay more than three. After a little back and forth, he offered six pounds, so I told him that I have never paid more than three. Then, he asked me where I am from. He told me that three pounds in the Egyptian price and not the American price. So, I told him he could just let me out in the middle of the road. He didn't let me out, but he was pretty ticked the entire ride. Here's a little economics lesson: a little knowledge can spoil price discrimination.
The taxi dropped me off a couple blocks away from where I wanted, but that's where serendipity comes in. I had planned to go to the gym, but I saw a guy with a basketball walking down the street, so I asked him if I could join him. This guy was 5’ 9” and looked like he was in his late teens, but it turned out he was 13. So, I played 5v5 basketball with a bunch of thirteen-year-olds: eighth graders from Saint Mark’s.
