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Betty and Bob Matas, along with cab driver Doulgas Guldeniz, are well on their near-cross-country trek to Sedona, Arizona from Forest Hills. And not only are the Matases' cats Cleopatra and Pretty Face along for the ride, so is Daily News reporter Peter Donohue! We hope that Ford Escape taxi is big enough for everyone - apparently Cleo and Pretty Face hate each other.
The Daily News had the charming story about the trio on Sunday: Guldeniz agreed to drive the 70-something Matases to Arizona from Queens for $3,000. (The Matases didn't want to fly because they were worried about their cats, and the Matases themselves don't drive.) On Tuesday, the caravan took off. Betty Matas can't understand why the media loves the story so much: "I've heard of this happening with rock stars, but we're an average couple." Aw, she's so cute.
Guldeniz tells the News that he was interviewed by a major newspaper in his native Turkey. And we just found out that Domino's is offering him its version of Brooklyn Style Pizza for free when he comes back. Domino's, we like the spirit of your offer ("We applaud Mr. Guldeniz’s willingness to go above and beyond to deliver for the Matas family, and we wanted to do a little something for him to say thanks."), but your Brooklyn style pizza is not that great, okay? [Related: Domino's Brooklyn style pizza ads]
Donohue reports that Clinton Station Diner off I-78 in NJ is the best find so far. And other drivers on the road are surprised to see a NYC yellow cab so far south.
Photographs by Tina Fineberg/AP - there's another sweet one of Bob Matas with a cat after the jump
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The Escape taxis are not bad in the room department, so the trip would be much better than in a Crown Vic.
As for why the story is so popular, it is because it is one of these great only in New York stories.
The cabbie even dresed the part of a chauffeur.
When does lighthearted, feel good movie come out?
I actually do love this story.
Hope the cabbie put in new shocks for this ride.
I can see this story ended up with the couple and the driver and their respective agents going to court over movie rights.
This makes me smile. I love this story. More happy press!
One whole Pizza???? Wow. Thanks Dominos! MmmmmmmmmmmMmmm.
I hope he gets a fare on the way back or else the next time I want to cab it to Arizona, the cabbie will claim to be off-duty.
If they don't drive what the hell are they going to be when they get to Arizona? Hitchhike? Wait 2 hours for the bus in the blazing sun? Just stay at home all the time?
They will probably be living in a retirement center where they wont have to go anywhere.
I love old people. This makes me miss my parents.
And Sedona is up in the mountains-it's nowhere near as hot as Phoenix or Tucson-the weathar there is probably a lot better than New York's. Sort of jealous of them-Ive driven around Flagstaff/Grand Canyon/Sedona and thought that would be a great place to spend a good chunk of time-it's very relaxing in that part of the US.
Cute cats.
Sedona won't be nice for much longer. Even the mountains are falling victim to DUH DUH DUH! global warming. The snowpack's melting, the trees are dying, it's getting warm up there.
Ooof, that one 's' has GOT to be killing you, ck. Back! Back! Too late. But look at the bright side - there could be a Gothamist editorial position on the way.
Great story, two old farts taking a 2500 mile trip to their retirement in Arizona. Finally some good news outta the tri-state area.
Wowwy, I didn't even notice--How funny. Damn!
taht cat looks like it needs some long trem therorpie.
You took the bait. By offering crappy, fake "Brooklyn" pizza Dom**o's got free publicity out of you.
the total fare includes the fare back to new york. i once took a cab from new york to cape cod... not on my dime, but it was a fun time.