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China Cab Trouble

CHINA | Sunday, 14 September 2014 | Views [264]

Time: 10 P.M.

Place: The Place, Beijing, China

Dilemma: What to do now?

 

As I ran up and down, hailing for taxis in that very-posh but non-English speaking set up, the buccaneer in me remained unfazed. However, the prudence was a little perplexed, questioning “How did you end up here?”

 

Well, I’d shrug to that question back then, but in honest retrospection, I know how and why. After all those present-day architectural beauties and historical monuments that the conventions require us to visit, I knew that Beijing has more to offer and I was greedy. I wanted to shop, and I wanted to experience that fabulous display of art on that huge sky screen—the longest LED I had ever seen—in Beijing’s central business district.

 

So while everyone else was ready to retire to the comfort of their rooms, I asked the guide to direct me to “The Place.” Getting there was as simple as calling over a cab and excitedly getting down 40 minutes later to marvel at the dazzling setting.

 

The sky screen covers an entire street between two new high-end retail centers and two 23-story office towers—it is 2,296' long and 88' wide, and made for a truly extraordinary display.

 

I spent the evening indulging in retail therapy and then went outside to where the show was. While elegantly dressed businessmen were gradually leaving with their suitcases, seemingly-rich local couples seemed to be just pouring in as I decided to sit in one of those cute little coffee shops right under the lustrous sky. It was like the sky is on fire.

 

From my experience with the cabs at the Houhai Bar Street the previous night, I knew it wasn’t wise to stay out too late, so I decided to get back to the hotel at around 9.30 PM. Alas! It was already too late.

 

I hailed for a cab, which did not stop, but attracted a guy with a private car, who offered to take me to the hotel. He then pulled out his mobile and typed 60 – indicating the 60¥ he will charge. Too much! I refused.

 

Although it was not too much, I know it was more than what an authorized cab would charge and the acuity in me refused to be swindled for taxi fare. Only a day before, I’d seen a man haggling for a bag and excitedly striking the deal at 20¥ for the 50¥ piece. Just as he thought he is the smartest man on the planet, someone pointed that the change he got back was counterfeit currency. So he had ended up paying100¥ for the damn bag.

 

I decided to wait for the licensed taxi—the one with that lighted sign on the top. Much to my dismay, none of them would stop and the one that stopped was again a regular car, with another guy, who demanded 80¥ and got a blunt refusal from me.

 

A few minutes later, another car came over and stopped and this one demanded 100¥. By now I had I sensed that there was no way I could get into one of those official cabs that run by the meter, and that the next unofficial one that stops would demand even more. So I decided to haggle. I’m just a student and I do not have too much, please cut down the price, I pleaded.

 

The guy pondered over it for a while as if trying a chance to recover his karma and I thought I had it, not realizing that I had some fancy baggage with me. The driver wrinkled his forehead, narrowed is eyes to the labels of the shopping bags in my hand— which were definitely not a sign of scarcity—and I was in trouble again.

 

He refused to budge below a hundred and I refused to let him con me.

 

Much to my horror, as I waited there for more cabs, I realized all the three guys I had refused did not drive away; they just stood there, chuckling. They wouldn’t let anyone else stop, especially not the official cabs.

 

I knew I was my only help there, and I had to get out soon lest they start quoting me an even higher price. Just then, I saw an official cab halt on the other side of the road and just ran towards it. Although it was too far for me to get there in time, for lack of any better option, I decided to take a chance. I saw a couple get out but before I could call it, a Chinese man immediately hired it and got in. “No! That’s my cab!” I shouted but they did not pay any attention because nobody there understands English. The cab drove off and I was in a fix again.

 

But even before I could plan my next step, I heard someone say, “So, where do you wanna go?” Imagine my delight! It was the man who had gotten down from the same cab. He was well-dressed and the lady with him was equally chic. But their sartorial choices were the least of my concerns then. “You speak English?” I foolishly asked, although he had just proven that he did. Infact, they both did.

 

I explained the trouble with the cabs I was facing and he advised I should only get an official cab and was kind enough to help with it. You won’t get any official cab in that area, he said, and walked me down for about a kilometer to the main office area on the other side of the place, where there were enough official cabs. He was kind enough to seat me in, and instruct the driver nicely before leaving.

 

Words cannot describe how grateful I felt at that point. Ofcourse, I reached back fine and fondly remember the stranger for his help.

 

In hindsight, was it worth it? Well, it was quite a spectacular show on what was the longest LED I had ever seen. Don’t scorn me for getting so overwhelmed; I am a small-towner, a fan of technology, and I get excited about such things.

 

And, as for the cab fare, I paid a legitimate 44¥.

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