New York City, USA

He seemed like such a nice man the moment I got into the car.

"Hello Sir. Where to?" he asks in his strong Indian-tinged accent.

"39th and Lex."

"Ok, right away."

And we're off. The taxi rolls into action. Shoots down through the Village like Knight Rider. The poor driver is losing his mind. Swearing like a sailor.

"Fffffffffuckkkkkkkk YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!" he leans out the window and screams at a man legally crossing the street.

"FFFFFFFFffffffffffukkkkkkkkkkk YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!" at the woman in the Honda alongside as he swerves to cut her off, almost tossing her and her car straight into Gramercy Park.

"FFFFFUCKKK YOUUUUU!" to the left. "FFFFFUCK YOUUUUUU!" to the right.

Rollercoaster meets Bangalore meets Tourettes.

Holding on for dear life. Breathing. Breathing. Breathing. Stop.

"Thank you." His demenour instantly shifts back to calm blue ocean.

I arrive at the restaurant where my friend begins to describe for me the New York social scene.

The way I understand it, here... everyone is a proverbial cab. Everyone's vacant light goes on every once in a while. There might be good fares, and there might be those that decide to leave before paying... but in the end...the whole social interacion thing is a truly temporary experience.

There are lots of nice cabs. They'll take you anywhere, anytime... but you're likely to just get taken for a ride.

Love New York.