Taking a car

Taking a car, which is a cross between hitch hiking and taking a taxi, is common in Moscow. You stick your hand out, say, near the entrance of a metro station, and ask the driver if they are going in your direction. You arrange a cost and away you go. I've done this a few times now, but only with a Russian person with me.

The last time I caught a car I accidentally pulled out the ashtray from the door. I panicked for a moment because I thought that I'd broken the handle off the man's door. I realized that it was only an ashtray, but as I left I threw it into the dark of the backseat as I was unable to put it back.