Conversation with Taxi Driver

11/02/2010 21:25  

General conversation with the taxi driver last few mornings.

Me - Falo Ingles – Do you speak English?

Taxi Driver (TD) – Nao (No).

TD – Smiles sheepishly.

Me – Smile back sheepishly at him

TD  – Muito fkjfsdldgldl;ldfkdhgjlkfgjflgjfd;lgjdflkjdslfjdfj;g;as;kad;kga;
afoirgghoiurghakghkxhreosr[ege {Pls stop – I can’t understand a word}

Me – I nod my head. Twinkle twinkle little star.

TD – hgljhljsa;ldj;ldfg;ljkl;l;kfghor’p;dkkASMLKL;
DSSDKALKTWIEFJSDLKFJDLKSLKFDJHLKDJGLKKLGLKLK

Me – I nod my head very vigorously. Stars are twinkling even faster. I beg to stop.

TD – Falo Portuguese?

Me – No. Smile more sheepishly.

TD – Smiles back even more sheepishly.

After all the smiling, at the end both of us have a job to do – he has to drive, I’ve to be driven. So, no talking: Speech is silver, silence is golden. The entire itinerary then explained on paper and of course smiling does not stop, supported by some nodding.

Had to do a take a medical test for local permit. It is mandatory. I give my papers at the Govt. clinic and wait patiently for my turn. My number is 73. Finally after waiting for 1 hour or so, I am directed to the Doctor office. He asks me many questions. The paper has a big list of diseases. I do not understand a single word. English medical science is challenging enough, forget Portuguese medical science. I use my experience and a) Smile sheepishly b) Utter “Nao falo Portuguese”

He does not smile back and keep asking questions. I keep cycling with my two best learnt survival tricks.

After 10 minutes of this circus, result is awarded : “Apto para a funcao – ALL OK apparently”

TOMORROW CARNIVAL STARTS!!!