At 9am, it is already the peak hour for traffic on Sofian roads. Stuck in a jam, hundreds of cars roar, engines are steaming and querulous drivers shout at each other. Among the varigated sea of multicoloured machines, however, a yellow one catches your attention every now and then - the costly, friendly or simply convenient taxi. Although similar on the outside, they are all driven by a unique power - the taxi driver. Waiting for the street light to flash green is Ivan Dimitrov, a 38-year-old taxi veteran.
"Above all, it is an amazing way to meet interesting and sometimes even famous people," says Ivan, giving his initial and spontaneous reaction regarding the nature of his job. Over the past 11 years that he has been on the road, he has made so many peculiar acquaintances and witnessed so many odd occurrences that he could literally "publish them in one quite thick book". On his way to a birthday party, a disco or a company office, Ivan has met educated men who have amazed him with their "intellectual wit"; other times he has been burdened to drive off with a drunken youth or a supposed criminal to a remote destination.

After a while, however, only the best memories remain fresh and vivid in his mind. "I recall driving Hacho Bojadjiev for instance. Also, many of the pop folk female singers." Amazingly enough, his four-wheeled yellow friend has more than once been his source of rendezvous with a potential date. "I have dated two or three of my clients. You get to talk with them and after a few blocks you realise you want to meet with them again. And so did I."

Intriguing as taxi driving sounds, it could not be handled by just any random person. According to Ivan, "you need to be relaxed, psychologically balanced and well-mannered. Otherwise your anger or snappishness will chase off all of your clients".

As any other occupation, taxi driving can also get a little rough. "I have met with men who simply would not pay. They just get out of the car, promising to come back in a minute; of course, they never come back. In such instances, you have to accept the failure coolly and simply drive on."

The list of striking happenings continues: Dimitrov has been threatened with a knife by a criminal and had a drunken guy yell at him for no apparent reason. "If anything, the job is never boring." Many of his friends believe taxi driving is a monotonous job of infinite hours of crossing the same streets over and over again; for Ivan, however, it is an opportunity to meet a colourful variety of passengers, which always spices up his day.

Although he started working as a taxi driver for purely financial reasons, he now cherishes the job, which has introduced him to many friendly co-workers. "It is remarkable how all drivers greet each other, even if they do not officially know each other. There is an unspoken support, which I enjoy very much." Consequently, Ivan does not feel the same familiarity and intimacy with just any other accidental driver as he does with the men in shiny yellow cars.

Recalling the days when he first started his career, Dimitrov cannot help but feel nostalgia. "It was much easier to become a taxi driver back then. All you had to do was register your own car and you were set." Today, however, he complains that there are too many expectations and rules. Nevertheless, however, he is positive the profession will flourish in the future and many young people will join the business. As one reason he points out the high unemployment rate in the country as well as the comparably easy obtainment of a taxi driver licence.

In the long run, Ivan views taxi driving as a very rewarding job. "You get to know the city as your own home or neighbourhood. There is literally not a street, however small it might be, that I have not passed through." After a short pause, he notes his favourite site is Bulgaria Boulevard and that he definitely prefers daytime driving. Although the night hours are peaceful, the passengers who seek his services at that point are "of a special breed", as he jokes: young, drunken and arrogant. He adds that in the past he has even refused to drive a person to his destination. "I would deny a drive based on looks and behaviour."

Driving a taxi in Bulgaria has made Ivan Dimitrov a pessimist as concerns driving in this country. After a trip to Germany where he had the opportunity to get in a car, he was able to compare the two experiences. "Nobody yells or displays irritation there."

Recalling the calmness in the European nation, he doubts we would ever achieve the same level of intellect and reserved conduct. "Even when we get in the EU, things will not only stay the same, but also get worse." His certitude stems from the fact that life will become more difficult and expensive; as a result, he expects less people inquiring his services.

When he is not on the road, Ivan likestraveling: mostly to beautiful Bulgarian sites. "My favourite time for exploring Bulgarian places is the summer." When he is "stationary" he enjoys walks with his wife and going to the movies, just as any other person. "When I am not working, I also take a cab," smiles Dimitrov. "It is so much more relaxing when you are on the other side."

Ivan might have met with many people, but none of them "stay close friends for too long". Looking behind, however, one of them is still there, waiting for him at the parking lot... his car. Waving at me, he gets inside and drives off.