My experience
 

When I came to the US 15 years ago I came to New York. After sightseeing I took a train from there to San Diego to study English at a school there. I didn't know hardly any English at all which my friends say was stupid. But I’ve always liked that way. I met people on the train. I knew, “Hello”, and where? and to just point at a travel book and usually could figure out an answer. There rest of the time I would just say “thank you” as they would ramble on. Men would try to talk with me and I would just smile an say “no English”. After a long trip the train pulled into New Orleans and there was a stop there for overnight. Then I would board a new train the next day. When I got to the station I ask people where hotel was? They pointed toward the entrance of the station. I walk out the entrance with my pink backpack and ask the friendly looking man for hotel and pointed to my travel book. He understood I couldn't say much. He pointed and waved his arm while he tried to explain but I just looked at him not understanding a word. Then he waved to me to come with him and he said “Car” He a was a large, tall ( to me) older black gentleman with kind of a round tummy. Not seeing anyone else to ask, no taxis and this was a free ride around I followed him to his car in the lot. It a was big yellow car, but not a taxi. He keep waving to me as I hesitated. I followed but could not see into the dark windows. He got in to driver side and push my door open. Feeling a little hesitant I got in. He drove out and down some streets.