cab drive, sunday p.m.

-We're just going to Greenpoint, across the bridge.
Taximan: You tell me, I'm not familiar.
-O.K.

(we get on the cab)

-No, take it the other way.
Taximan: O.K., sorry.
-Where are you from?
Taximan: I'm Dominican.
-Ah, entonces podemos hacer esto en español.
Taximan: Sí, claro. usted es colombiano, cierto?
-...
Taximan: ...

-Siga derecho por acá... sobre el puente.
Taximan: Les gusta la música de navidad? (mientras sube el volumen.)
George Michael: last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away.
-...
Taximan: ...
-No, la verdad no tanto. (Taximan baja el volumen un poco.)

-...
Taximan: ...

-Por qué sabía que soy colombiano?
Taximan: Por el físico.
-??????
Taximan: Sí, te pareces a Carlos Vives, o a Shakira. Un poco a Juanes.

- Nos quedamos acá en la esquina, gracias.

hello, good bye

I wish I had found this on a piece of paper on the street, so I could send it to Jason for his magazine. But I found it in my mailbox.

Hi.

You're not paranoid. I was awkward when we last spoke. I told you then that I have been talking to Xxxx a lot lately and that he and I are trying to work things out. We're meeting in Xxxxxxx to see how things go. I've been trying to sort a lot of stuff out in my head over the last few months. And I think it's better if we're not in touch right now. I'm sorry.

Xxxx