Taxis

Audrey, Melanie, and I stood on the side of the road after being rejected by the 3rd taxi driver in a row.  Either they actually weren't going in the direction of our school, they didn't want to go all the way across the city, or they didn't want to put up with the foreigners.  We were all a little annoyed.  Whatever their reason, I was feeling pretty dejected about not getting a cab, and was wondering if we would ever get back home.  I envisioned us walking for miles until we found a bus number that looked familiar or some taxi driver took pity on us.  Luckily my vision never came to be realized.  Melanie and Audrey waved down a cab that already had a passenger. 

When the taxi pulled up, the girl in the front seat squealed with delight and said hello.  I told the driver our desired destination and he pulled over so we could get in.  We were super excited, but not as excited as the preexisting passenger.  I had thought she was one of Melanie and Audrey's students.  As it turns out, she doesn't even go to our school.  She struck up a conversation with me in Chinese and slowly started to use more and more English with the three of us.  She beamed and giggled with excitement the whole time as she shared about what she is studying, where she is from, and who is in her family.  We also exchanged phone numbers.  At one point the driver stopped to let her off at her stop but she told him to keep driving because she was so happy and wanted to talk with the foreigners more, so we drove around for a while.  She was so adorable, and repeatedly told the driver how she was so happy.  Eventually, though, she did have to go to her destination, so she took a picture of us and promised to call. 

After she left the taxi I told Mel and Audrey that "we probably just made her day."
They replied, "she just made ours."

It's so true.  It's amazing how the littlest thing can completely change your outlook.

Here's a text message I received from our new friend:
"I am extremely pleased to meet you, I hope we can keep in touch in future.  I believe my speaking will make a progress when we see next time.  Enjoy yourself in every aspects :-)"

Friends, I hope you too will enjoy yourself in every aspects! :)