Ashland's Holy Grail
Last weekend I felt like a discovered a secret stash of chocolate hidden downtown, or a wondrous dinosaur in the park behind my house. Something amazing enough that I know I’m not the only one who’s seen it, but it still gave me a thrill of discovery. It’s not usually a feeling I have after a night of drinking. Usually the feelings I have at one thirty in the morning run more along the lines of nauseated, confused or sleepy.
This particular Thursday night instead of a midnight walk of shame I got a ride of triumph home in the Ashland Bike Taxi. I’ve never had so much fun on a bike, since I’m not a fan of sweating. Instead of hard work I got tucked in with a blanket on my lap and my “driver” Marcos played music on his little speakers while he biked me home. Lucky I had stopped at Pita Pit on my way out of downtown, so I even had a snack. Really, does life get much better than eating on a bike, with a cold pink nose, blanket on the lap and the strains of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” playing on little tiny speakers? I’ll just fill you in… it doesn’t.
Marcos turned out to be pleasant and friendly. He speaks English, but being from Mexico I had a wonderful, slightly drunk, opportunity to tell him my entire repertoire of Spanish language jokes. Marcos proved his amiability and ability to act by graciously laughing at them.
I had seen the bike taxi around downtown before, but always assumed it was just for tourists. I thought it would be expensive and I would be embarrassed and feel fat at just sitting in the seat while making someone else do all the work. In fact it was more like taking a sleigh ride, fun and cold and under the stars, but with a goal of home and bed waiting on the other end. The price was comparable to a regular taxi. Of course it took longer to get home, but that seemed to be part of the charm.
I asked Marcos if he would continue during the winter and he responded in a slightly insulted sounding “Of course!” Marcos informed me, adamantly, that his taxi was not just for tourists, but for locals too, and he wanted to prove that by continuing his service regardless of the Shakespeare festival’s season. Something fun and charming in Ashland that isn’t just aimed towards tourists? It’s like discovering the holy grail.
This particular Thursday night instead of a midnight walk of shame I got a ride of triumph home in the Ashland Bike Taxi. I’ve never had so much fun on a bike, since I’m not a fan of sweating. Instead of hard work I got tucked in with a blanket on my lap and my “driver” Marcos played music on his little speakers while he biked me home. Lucky I had stopped at Pita Pit on my way out of downtown, so I even had a snack. Really, does life get much better than eating on a bike, with a cold pink nose, blanket on the lap and the strains of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” playing on little tiny speakers? I’ll just fill you in… it doesn’t.
Marcos turned out to be pleasant and friendly. He speaks English, but being from Mexico I had a wonderful, slightly drunk, opportunity to tell him my entire repertoire of Spanish language jokes. Marcos proved his amiability and ability to act by graciously laughing at them.
I had seen the bike taxi around downtown before, but always assumed it was just for tourists. I thought it would be expensive and I would be embarrassed and feel fat at just sitting in the seat while making someone else do all the work. In fact it was more like taking a sleigh ride, fun and cold and under the stars, but with a goal of home and bed waiting on the other end. The price was comparable to a regular taxi. Of course it took longer to get home, but that seemed to be part of the charm.
I asked Marcos if he would continue during the winter and he responded in a slightly insulted sounding “Of course!” Marcos informed me, adamantly, that his taxi was not just for tourists, but for locals too, and he wanted to prove that by continuing his service regardless of the Shakespeare festival’s season. Something fun and charming in Ashland that isn’t just aimed towards tourists? It’s like discovering the holy grail.
Views: 0
Comment
Birthdays
Birthdays Tomorrow
Ashland Daily Tidings
This Day in History
A&E Calendar
Badge
© 2012 Created by Webmaster.
You need to be a member of Connect Ashland to add comments!
Join Connect Ashland