Xavier: The Magic Taxi Driver

There is just too much to write about my last night in Europe to include it all in one blog, so here's a little something about the greatest cab driver known to man, Xavier.

It was a dark and dreary night and Marissa, Greg and I had just finished our meal and were ready to paint Barcelona red. After a quick stop for some espresso at Greg's place, we hailed what would later come to be known as the best cab ride ever.

Greg took the jump seat and Marissa and I crawled into the back. Xavier must have picked up on the perfect vibes and promptly switched the radio from Spanish programming to USA For Africa's 1985 smash hit, "We Are the World." Already I began to realize that this would be a memorable ride.

During the song I thought I noticed a few occurrences outside my window, but simply brushed them aside. For one, the city seemed to be whizzing by at an alarming rate, and the speedometer confirmed my suspicions that we were going fast - about 100 km/hr. I looked through the windshield and saw a red light try and stop us to no avail, and then another. I know taxis are known for driving quickly and erratically, but this was a little more than I expected.

While Xavier was driving fast and disobeying traffic laws, I thought that must just be what Barcelona drivers do. (Later when I was discussing our ride with Greg did I realize that this was not common and that Xavier could have faced large fines and even jail time for driving in such a way.) This is when the ride got interesting.

During this real-life 'Crazy Taxi' experience, Xavier turns back to Marissa and me and asks if we are in the mood for some 'Taxi Magic.' As if we weren't impressed with his ability to weave through traffic while maintaining a speed of 100 km/hr, Xavier felt that we needed to be given the special treatment. Before we could respond, he made a 5 Euro bill disappear and reappear a number of times, then moved on to his next trick where he made it look like one of his fingers was a laser pointer. I know these sound a little lame, but trust me - when you're seeing them done from a foot away and can't figure out how he did it with the greatest of ease while driving like a maniac through a city...only one thing is certain: this was a magic taxi.

Before I could wrap my mind around what was going on, Xavier stopped the cab and we were at our destination. He handed Greg a card and we asked for another. On it was his number and a rabbit popping out of a hat. He said to us, "I speak English too," and was on his way. Cab drivers in NYC don't even speak English.

I'm considering calling him from Utica. If he shows up, I will become his apprentice.