Let's Ride: A Lady Cab Driver Shares Her Story

By Glaspar Irons

Let's Ride is a tell-all story by a female cab driver in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Men and women from any country or state within the United States can ask themselves, "Is that me she's talking about?" or "Is that my spouse or are those my parents in this chapter?" If they were ever in New Orleans, the odds are good that their escapades are in this book. Glaspar Irons will make you feel like you're right there with her while driving down some of the city's most famous streets and past historic landmarks. The book is a must before booking a trip to Louisiana because she tells you where the really good food is. This is an inside look on where to go for amazing meals, music, and local flavor on a cab driver/college student budget! Glaspar answers the questions people want to know about what really happens in a taxicab. Experience the danger, intrigue, and fun of how she deals with people under the influence of their own lives. The author acknowledges those who have been lost while in service to others through some original poetry. Woven throughout its chapters are actual prayers prayed in the cab, encounters of the famous kind, and economics that widen the eyes. Whether ride share or taxi industry loyal, Let's Ride will move you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644169063

Book preview

Table of Contents

Part 1

Kids

Couples

Punch Drunk

Smiles, Waves, and Nods

Part 2

History and Getting Into the Industry 101

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Life Lesson

Refused Offers and Decent Proposals

Unexpected Surprises, Famous People

Sharing Is Caring

cover.jpg

A Lady Cab Driver Shares Her Story

Glaspar Irons

Let’s Ride

ISBN 978-1-64416-905-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64416-906-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Glaspar Irons

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Photographs on pages 28 and 29 by Jae Semien Photography

Photographs on page 65 and back cover by Trysh Jaeger Photography

Printed in the United States of America

To Flora, family, friends, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, and every listening audience member who heard my story and showed their support of my singing from The Essence Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, to The Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A special thank you to Shad, Katie, Shelly, Shauna, Brian, Ben, Miguel, Martin, Brenda, Zenda, and Terence for being the guardians of my galaxy. To Ken and E. W. for inspiring, mentoring, and coaching me in both golf and life. Let me know what you think.

To everyone who has ever taken a ride in my pedicabs and taxicabs, your lives and stories continue to inspire me—thank you. To the cab company owners and other industry professionals whose lights sometimes go unrecognized and to everyone who said that they would read my book if I ever wrote a book, here’s to you.

To Mr. Otis and the twin boys so dear to me, I love you, guys.

Thanks to Matt Robinson (Frenchmen street poet, pedicab coworker, and friend) who helped type my first draft of this book from my handwritten notes and Julie Sheppard (godsend literary agent and kindred spirit) whose encouragement and accountability continues to help fuel my good intentions into fruitfulness as a writer. Hope you enjoy the read and the ride.

Part 1

Pedicab

Introduction

Me: Excuse me. Would you like a pedicab ride?

You (the potential rider): Well, how much is it?

Me: Where would you like to go?

You: Not really sure. I’ve never ridden on one of these before.

Me: Oh, it’s your first time? Tell you what. Hop in and I’ll take you for a ride.

You: Okay, yeah. Let’s go. Why not?

Me: Watch your step. Here we go.

Kids

Having little kids ride in the pedicab is extremely fun for me. Their eyes widen when their parents say yes. One by one, they climb in, hearts racing, wondering who gets to sit where and first. I ride shot gun, of course. I ring the bell and off we go.

Once we get moving, I engage them. What songs do you know? They just smile so I take over with songs from popular movie classics.

When the coast is clear of incoming traffic in all directions, I’ll play crazy cab where I swerve from side to side and pretend we’re going to ride onto sidewalks.

Brace for impact! I shout.

No hands! The roar of laughter begins.

One little girl said, I’m so happy my cheeks hurt from smiling!

Me: Hey, are you guys holding on back there?

Kids: Yeah!

I do a donut (a 360-degree turn) and all I hear after that are giggles and Do it again! That was fun!

One night, a buddy and I were resting before our next pedicab rides. My legs were sore and about to lock up on me. A family approached us to see if we could take them to Café du Monde. My facial expression was animated and ready but my body said What are you doing? Isn’t it time to go home yet?

The little girl and her two brothers climbed into my pedicab. The parents negotiated the fare with my buddy and climbed into his cab.