There is something to be said about having a cab waiting for you when you arrive at an airport. And it is so easy to get used to this luxury.
Last night, I was talking to my friend who is visiting India for a couple of weeks. One wedding and a funeral, she said. We both laughed and settled down to a marathon chat.
As the conversation meandered here and there, we naturally enjoyed a brief bout of whining, b*tching, and complaining, knowing full well it would all end in laughter. So therapeutic to do that with a friend, eh? I think so, anyway.
She was explaining what a nightmare it had been for her to get transportation from the airport to her relative's house, which is quite far away. Apparently they had arranged to pick her up; however, it didn't happen and finding a cab proved to be quite difficult at that time of night and she blamed herself for booking herself on that flight. Anyway, she did manage to get home, thanks to a couple of good Samaritans.
We got to talking about our various travel experiences with cabs and airport transfers. What a weird topic, now that I think of it. Nevertheless, it is a solid part of our lives as we do quite a bit of air travel and we're conscious about the hassles of not having a pre-booked vehicle to reach us to or from the airport.
And I'd say we've had our share of hassles arriving at the airport, and getting all stressed over booking a cab to get home. In fact, the enthusiasm of arriving sometimes wanes a wee bit, thanks to the taxi-booking struggle.
I remember returning with my son some months ago after a trip. It was 10 pm at night and we were ready to hop into the first taxi available. Unfortunately, the taxi area was deserted because more than three flights arrived at the same time. By the time we actually got into one, it was 11.45 pm. We reached home at almost 1 am. So ridiculous, no?
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Anyway, my friend and I reminisced over our favorite experiences. I have had several, in fact. I am entitled to an airport transfer every three months as a customer of my bank and I try and use it for the late night trips as much as possible. International flights invariably arrive a couple of hours past midnight and by the time one clears customs and immigration, and all those formalities, all one wants to do is simply sail into a cab and stir only when one reaches home.
Another fabulous experience I've had is when I visited Shanghai. I had two connecting flights, and each time I stepped out of the aircraft, I had someone waiting for me with my name on a card, to escort me to the next terminal to get my connecting flight. When I finally arrived at my destination, I had-hold your breath-a BMW waiting to whisk me to the fabulous hotel where I was going to stay for the next two days. The return trip was just as luxurious, with practically royalty treatment. It is something I'll always remember, considering how different it could have been, transiting through two foreign airports that are like mini-cities, plus the language issue. I must say that next to the trip where we met the Dalai Lama, this one is the best I've experienced.
My friend said that her best experience, hands down, is Blacklane, her favorite cab / limo service at home. Since they are present in more than 236 cities worldwide, my friend prefers to use them wherever they travel. The driver personally greets them at the airport and takes care of their baggage, while they calmly stroll to their waiting pre-booked airport transfer. The driver has their destination and efficiently takes them there, while my friends relax, VIP style, and enjoy the view out of the window.
She especially recalled their recent airport transfer in Colorado Springs where she accompanied her husband on a bleisure trip. (Yes, that's a real word where you combine leisure with your business trip).
Since airport transfers are not the only thing Blacklane offers, she went on to say that they had a wonderful experience using them again to tour the city, confident that they could rely on professionally trained, courteous drivers.
Naturally our conversation then segued to the details of her trip to Colorado Springs, and ended, as usual, with her extracting a promise from me to visit her this year. I know I would love to. Even though we talk at least once a week, nothing can compare to meeting, hugging, and talking face to face.
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Do you have a favorite cab service that makes you heave a sigh of relief when you travel?I'd love to know in the comments.
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P.S.: The Feb Gratitude Circle blog hop linky is live and open till 11 March. Do join me and link up.
Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury
