Mr. Driver, or 運転手さん (untenshu-san), was what he told me to call him when I inquired his name.

Why? I asked. He said with a jolly smile: “I am at your service.”

There was an instant rapport and we immediately started chatting. We were so into learning more about each other, he forgot to turn on the meter. I insisted on paying but he wasn’t having it.

This cab driver, the ride and our conversation, will stay with me forever.

Thank you for your hospitality Kumamoto. See you again some other time.